But legend has it that Arthur is not dead, he is merely biding his time in Avalon, an otherworld, until he can return to Britain as a national hero. It is not just the Arthurian myths which make up this fascinating mythology. No, Celtic mythology is richer than that. Thanks to the effort of monks in Ireland from the fifth century, much of the ancient Celtic sagas have been preserved. So we may continue to be enthralled by the tales of their many gods, like Dagda, their heroes, like Cuchulainn, and their many folk from the fairy world, like the Banshee.
Celtic mythology offers up much to entice our imaginations.
Another fascinating mythology comes to us from the people of the north, the Norse . The Norse lived in a dramatic landscape with a harsh environment of snow and ice, so it is not surprising that their world was threatened by Frost Giants, ever ready to bring distress to the land and to those whom dwelled there. So the Norse honoured their gods, especially the chief gods, Odin, Thor, Frey, and Frejya, who would do battle with the fearsome Frost Giants at Ragnorok, the end of the world. Norse mythology is a world full of monsters, like Grendel, and nature spirits, like Ran, magical treasures, like Thor s Hammer, and wondrous otherworlds, like Asgard. It is a world full of spells and enchantment, and valiant heroes.