This work investigates the origins, development, and historical accuracy of the ritual year and seasonal festivals observed across the British Isles. Ronald Hutton, a professor of history, utilizes an extensive array of primary sources, including medieval records, ecclesiastical documents, and early modern diaries, to deconstruct popular myths surrounding British seasonal traditions. He argues that many customs perceived as ancient or pagan are, in fact, later inventions or adaptations shaped by shifting social and religious landscapes.

Historians and folklorists widely regard this text as a foundational reference for understanding the evolution of British seasonal customs. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's rigorous commitment to evidence-based historical analysis.