The Secret Lore of London
The city's forgotten stories and mythology
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With a foreword by Iain Sinclair.
London is an ancient city, whose foundation dates back literally thousands of years into the legendary prehistory of these islands. Not surprisingly it has accumulated a large number of stories, both historic and mythical, during this period, many of which, though faithfully recorded at the time, have lain almost forgotten in dusty libraries throughout the city.
The Secret Lore of London is a guide to the legends, including a discussion of their importance as part of the oral tradition of Britain, combining Prehistoric, Celtic, Arthurian, Roman, Saxon and Norman levels - each of which has contributed to the many-layered life of the city.
The first part contains a unique selection of essays (some printed here for the first time) by experts in their fields, each of whom possesses a unique interest in the legends of these islands, and who have written widely on associated themes.
The second part of the book will consist of a Gazetteer of the sites mentioned which are still in existence, together with various other sites of associated interest, compiled by the Editor, the contributors, and members of the London Earth Mysteries Group. This part will be fully updated and extended to include many more sites.
The result is a wide ranging and wholly fascinating book, with wide sales application possible. A series of appendixes will include William Stukley's extraordinary document The Brill, which relates to the ancient prehistoric sites around the area of present day St. Pancras, and excerpts from some of the best known 19th and early 20th century works on Legendary London by Lewis Spence and Harold Bayley
Contributors to the book are:
Nigel Pennick
John Matthews
Caroline Wise
Caitlín Matthews
Carol Clancy
R.J. Stewart
Bernard Nesfield-Cookson
Gareth Knight
Robert Stephenson
Geraldine Beskin
Chesca Potter
William Stukeley
Lewis Spence
Harold Bayley
Alan V. Insole
Ross Nichols
Nigel Pennick
Nigel Pennick is an authority on ancient belief systems, traditions, runes, and geomancy and has traveled and lectured extensively in Europe and the United States. He is the author and illustrator of more than 50 books, including The Pagan Book of Days. The founder of the Institute of Geomantic Research and the Library of the European Tradition, he lives near Cambridge, England.
More by Nigel Pennick
John Matthews
John Matthews is a world-renowned authority on the Celtic wisdom tradition and the Arthurian legends. He is the author of numerous books, including The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom.
More by John Matthews
Caitlín Matthews
Caitlín and John Matthews are the co-authors of the Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom and Encyclopedia of Celtic Myth and Legend. Caitlín is acknowledged as a world authority on Celtic wisdom and the ancestral traditions of Britain, while John has produced nearly 100 books on Arthurian legend. They live in Oxford.
More by Caitlín Matthews
Gareth Knight
Gareth Knight has spent close to four decades actively investigating and writing about the Western Magical Tradition and the Qabalistic symbolism. He is one of the world's foremost authorities on magic and the active use of symbolism. In 1976 he was awarded an honorary doctorate for his work in the field, and he has acted as a consultant for Jungian analysis and for television producers in the area of archetypal symbolism.
Mr. Knight now lives in his native Essex in England.
More by Gareth Knight
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