The Testimony of Tradition (Classic Reprint)

David Macritchie

ISBN 10: 1330416104 / ISBN 13: 9781330416105

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book delves into the fascinating history of a little-known group of seafaring people who have long been shrouded in myth and folklore: the Finns. Drawing on historical records, folklore, and archaeological evidence, the author traces the Finns' presence across the British Isles and into Europe, uncovering their unique cultural practices and challenging traditional narratives. The book goes beyond the familiar tales of mermaids and mermen, revealing a complex and vibrant culture centered around the use of skin-covered kayaks for fishing, piracy, and travel. The author explores how these kayaks, and the Finns' remarkable seafaring skills, shaped the perception of them as beings who could transform into seals or other aquatic creatures. The author weaves together accounts from historical texts, including accounts from the seventeenth century, with local traditions and legends to demonstrate how these sea-faring people impacted the history and folklore of the regions they inhabited. The book's insights into the Finns, their culture, and their impact on the British Isles and Europe offer a compelling and nuanced look at a forgotten people and their unique place in history. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781330416105_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Testimony of Tradition (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1330416104
• ISBN 13: 9781330416105
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Customs and Traditions

About this title

Synopsis

Unearth ancient secrets hidden in stone and myth, and learn how early builders shaped the world they knew.
This nonfiction guide examines underground and above-ground structures once called Pechts’ houses, chambered mounds, or earth-houses. It explains how these sites connect to dwarf legends, fairies, and other folk belief across Scotland, Ireland, and neighboring regions. The author compares burrows, hollow hillocks, and brochs to reveal how the same idea evolves over time and place.

• Clear distinctions between earth-houses, chambered mounds, and brochs, with examples from Orkney, Shetland, and beyond


• How legends of fairies and dwarfs intertwine with architectural remains


• Regional case studies, including Dowth, Maes-how, Mousa, and sites in Denmark and Belgium


• Discussion of how archaeology and traditional lore illuminate each other

Ideal for readers of folklore, archaeology, and history who want a thoughtful, well-grounded look at how ancient peoples lived and believed.