The Mythology of Britain
The British, like most nations and peoples have a distinct mythology which shapes their world-view
In everyday usage, the word ‘myth’ is now almost synonymous with ‘misconception’ or even ‘lie‘. When we describe something as a myth, we are in effect saying that it is untrue. We are in this way robbed of a very useful word with a specific meaning quite unconnected with falsehood or truth; which is unfortunate. Some myths are of course untrue; others though are no more than straightforward and accurate historical accounts. Perhaps it would help to understand this if we first cleared the ground a little by thinking about the nature of myth. Only then will we be able to make sense Britain’s mythic history.
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