Celtic Myth & Legend, Poetry & Romance by Charles Squire, published by The Gresham Publishing Company in an undated edition commonly attributed to the early twentieth century (often circa 1910–1920), is one of the most influential introductions to the mythology and legendary traditions of the Celtic world. Squire, a respected scholar of Arthurian literature and early British mythology, produced a work that sought to bring the rich narrative traditions of the Gaelic and British Celts to a wider English-speaking readership. Combining scholarship with storytelling, Celtic Myth & Legend, Poetry & Romance remains a classic exploration of the myths, heroes, and poetic traditions that shaped Celtic cultural heritage.
In Celtic Myth & Legend, Poetry & Romance, Squire introduces readers to the complex mythological systems of the ancient Celts, examining the gods, heroes, and supernatural beings that appear in early Irish and British legend. The book is structured in major thematic sections that explore the Gaelic gods and their stories, the mythological traditions of the Britons, and the lingering traces of Celtic pagan belief in later folklore and literature. Through these narratives, Celtic Myth & Legend, Poetry & Romance brings to life legendary figures such as the Tuatha Dé Danann, heroic warriors, and the mythic foundations that later inspired Arthurian romance and medieval literature.
A notable feature of Celtic Myth & Legend, Poetry & Romance is its richly illustrated presentation. Early editions were produced with colour and monochrome plates after paintings by artists including J. H. F. Bacon and other illustrators working in a romantic, Pre-Raphaelite style. These illustrations complement Squire’s narrative by visually evoking the dramatic landscapes, heroic figures, and mystical atmosphere associated with Celtic mythology. The book formed part of the popular “Myth and Legend in Literature and Art” series issued by Gresham, which aimed to make the mythology of various cultures accessible to general readers.
Today, Celtic Myth & Legend, Poetry & Romance remains an important and widely read introduction to Celtic mythology. Its combination of accessible scholarship, engaging storytelling, and evocative illustration helped shape early twentieth-century interest in the Celtic revival and the study of mythological traditions. For collectors of mythology, folklore, and classic illustrated books, Celtic Myth & Legend, Poetry & Romance stands as a handsome and enduring volume that preserves the legendary world of the ancient Celts.
