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Product Description
Product Description
The Green Man has many facets, many dimensions. He peers through his leaf mask in hundreds of church misericords and stone carvings. His innate link with the changing seasons and fertility is revealed in the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and in summer folk customs such as Jack in the Green, the Castleton Garland and the Burry Man. Perhaps he even lurks in the legendary hero of the Greenwood, Robin Hood. The Authors have been running summer schools and courses on the Green Man for many years, and in this fascinating study they discuss his significance in medival times and explore the modern development of the concept of the Green Man. The book also contains a detaield gazetteer of over 200 sites, featuring almost 1000 carvings (many photographed by Felicity Howlett).
About the Author
Fran and Geoff Doel lecture in Cultural Studies for the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kent. They are the authors of several books on aspects of traditional British culture, including 'Worlds of Arthur' and 'Robin Hood', both published by Tempus.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
This is a very comprehensive survey of the various english cultural personae that can be described as Green Men. It includes a description of the green man faces found almost exclusively in ecclesiastical architecture, and accounts of Green Man-style folk figures such as Jack-in-the-Green and the Burry Man. Coming to this subject with little previous knowledge I found the book to be very informative and easy to read, with a large quantity of illustrations throughout.
When discussing the green man carvings, reference is made to the medieval Golden Legend story of the dead Adam having the seeds of the tree of knowledge planted in his mouth. I felt that this was not explored enough, especially in the context of Christianity adopting existing pagan myths.
Also, the link between these medieval carvings and the folk figures of today seemed tenuous, but the book does not tend to speculate wildly and this is a fair reflection of the elusive nature of the subject matter. The gazetteer of sites at the end of the book is very useful, but not very comprehensive, although the authors do explicitly refer the reader to published field guides which they state are more thorough.
All told this book is practical, thorough and enjoyable - an excellent introduction to the subject of the Green Man.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
A very easy to read book written in an informative but interesting style. The authors certainly know their stuff, and each chapter explores a different English folk history and how it could be linked to the Green Man. They don't make any unsupported statements (unlike Ms. Basford in her book), and give a broad-minded and rounded review of the Green Man, his history and possible meaning. The photos are largely well produced black and white shots of Green Men in England. The Gazetter at the back is not at all comprehensive but does give an introduction to where the more well known Green Men in England can be found. An excellent introduction to the subject and a must for anyone interested in the Green Man.
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It can be most confusing sifting out which to select of the many books examining the Green Man. Having read five of them, this is clearly the best all round book on the subject I have found.
It is comprehensive, tackles the main issues, and doesn't peddle any absurd theories. It is also untainted by some of the 'New Age' mysticism than can cloud discussion of the subject.
You won't go wrong with this book - as distinct from some of the other publications with 'green man' worked into their titles.
It is comprehensive, tackles the main issues, and doesn't peddle any absurd theories. It is also untainted by some of the 'New Age' mysticism than can cloud discussion of the subject.
You won't go wrong with this book - as distinct from some of the other publications with 'green man' worked into their titles.
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