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"I have travelled south from Stornoway through all the Hebrides to Ulster, to Galloway, to the Isle of Man, southern and western Ireland. I can report that there is such a place as Celtic Britain, that it shares a common culture, an intimately related history and strikingly similar geography. The story of Celtic Britain can be found in these places." "The Sea Kingdoms" is a narrative history based on a journey from Shetland, down the west coast of Scotland taking in the Isle of Man and the Outer Hebrides, across to Ireland, back to Anglesey and the west Welsh coast, back to Ireland again and finally Cornwall. Using Patrick Leigh Fermor as a model, the heart of the book is the journey from which Moffat will stray into the oral histories, legends and known events of the Celts and their past. Its narrative soaked in legend and myth and sensuality, tragedy and gore.
This work investigates the historical and cultural interconnectedness of the Celtic regions surrounding the Irish Sea, positing that a shared maritime identity defines the history of Britain and Ireland. Alistair Moffat, a seasoned historian and writer, utilizes a travelogue framework to bridge the gap between contemporary geography and ancient history. By traversing the coastal regions from the Hebrides to Cornwall, he synthesizes archaeological evidence, oral traditions, and historical records to reconstruct the narrative of the Celtic peoples. The book argues that the sea served not as a barrier, but as a vital conduit for trade, migration, and cultural exchange throughout the centuries.
What You Will Find
This text offers a highly accessible, narrative-driven approach to regional history that prioritizes atmospheric storytelling over dry academic analysis. The framing suggests a work intended for general readers interested in the intersection of travel writing and historical inquiry.
Page Count:
316
Publication Date:
2001-01-01
Publisher:
HarperCollins
ISBN-10:
0002572168
ISBN-13:
9780002572163
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