Welcome to the Mythical Britain Blog

Written by Michael Smith, the Mythical Britain Blog provides a detailed insight into a range of historical and literary topics including Middle English poetry, medieval castles and churches, Arthurian romance, historical geography, prehistoric sites, and historiography. The blog also reviews books, film and theatrical performances of relevance.

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The Battle of Maldon, 991 - an epic tale of defiance, folly and communal loyalty

Northsey Island near Maldon in Essex is the site of a famous battle between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons and celebrated in an epic poem.

Michael Smith

Oct 20, 20248 min read

All Saints' Church, Brixworth, Northamptonshire – a magnificent Anglo-Saxon survival

A visit to the Grade 1-listed church of All Saints at Brixworth, Northamptonshire, the largest Anglo-Saxon building standing in England.

Michael Smith

Oct 14, 20245 min read

The Stones of Stenness, Orkney - a special linocut print

The Stones of Stenness on Orkney provided inspiration for a new linocut print by author and printmaker, Michael Smith.

Michael Smith

Jul 1, 20243 min read

Book Review: Footmarks - A Journey into Our Restless Past, by Jim Leary

Jim Leary's Footmarks uncovers how our ancestors were always on the move, leaving behind traces of an exposure to a much broader world.

Michael Smith

Jun 17, 20244 min read

Wayland's Smithy, Oxfordshire - the making of an original linocut print

An article about the creation of a linocut print featuring Wayland's Smithy, a neolithic chambered cairn near the White Horse of Uffington.

Michael Smith

Feb 19, 20243 min read

Book Review: Northerners - A History, by Brian Groom

A review of Northerners - A History, by Brian Groom. Published by Harper North.

Michael Smith

Feb 6, 20245 min read

Cheshire survivor - the effigy of Sir William Boydell at St. Wilfred's Church, Grappenhall

The effigy of Sir William Boydell at Grappenhall, Cheshire sheds a remarkable light on how, against the odds, ancient monuments can survive.

Michael Smith

Jan 7, 20246 min read

Castles and Landscapes – Hautdesert Castle in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Michael Smith discusses the Gawain-poet's castle Hautdesert, showing how its place in the landscape reflected the zeitgeist of his time.

Michael Smith

Dec 22, 20236 min read

Nobut an old Cave – the power and meaning of the Green Chapel in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

The poet in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight calls the Green Chapel 'nobot an olde cave' with huge understatement. It was a house of horror.

Michael Smith

Nov 23, 20235 min read

A Cheshire Church and its Knightly Founder: Sir Hugh Calveley at St Boniface, Bunbury

A description of the magnificent alabaster monument to Sir Hugh de Calveley and the church of St Boniface near Chester, Cheshire.

Michael Smith

Mar 24, 20236 min read

Book Review: The Road by Christopher Hadley

A review of Christopher Hadley's fascinating new book about a forgotten Roman Road, RR21b, and the traces it has left behind.

Michael Smith

Feb 5, 20236 min read

Book Review: Field Notes by Maxim Peter Griffin - a walk on the wild side

A book review of Field Notes by Maxim Peter Griffin. A feast of art and words describing the landscape, mood and people of Lincolnshire.

Michael Smith

Aug 13, 20223 min read

Sueno's Stone - an astonishing Pictish monument to battle at Forres in Moray, Scotland

A history and description of Sueno's Stone, an astonishing Pictish monument to battle still in its original location at Forres in Scotland.

Michael Smith, Mythical Britain

Aug 15, 20214 min read

The motorway motte - Lilbourne castle and mediaeval village, Northamptonshire

A description of the fascinating early mediaeval motte and bailey, fishponds, village earthworks and church at Lilbourne, Northamptonshire

Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker

Jul 2, 20214 min read

The Sheela Na Gig sculpture and St Christopher wall paintings at Oaksey in Wiltshire, England

A few years ago, pre lockdown, I took the opportunity to turn off the M4 and track down an astonishing mediaeval sheela na gig sculpture...

Michael Smith

May 8, 20213 min read

William of Palerne and the literary legacy of Humphrey de Bohun

I have been working for some time on a new translation of William of Palerne , which Madden in the nineteenth century called the “romance...

Michael Smith

Nov 20, 20204 min read

Dryslwyn Castle, Carmarthenshire, Wales

A brief history and description of the evocative and dramatically-sited castle at Dryslwyn. Much remains to impress the visitor today.

Michael Smith

Aug 31, 20204 min read

Pleshey and Great Canfield Castles – Two Norman Mottes in Essex

A detailed look at two magnificent Norman motte-and-bailey castles in Essex: Great Canfield and Pleshey. Both are well worth the trip to see

Michael Smith, Mythical Britain

May 25, 20205 min read

Castell Dinas Bran, Denbighshire, Wales

A history of Castell Dinas Bran, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales, including a detailed site description and photogrpahs.

Michael Smith

Feb 20, 20206 min read

The Brereton Tomb, St Oswald's Church, Malpas, Cheshire

A detailed look at the magnificent tomb of Sir Randal and Lady Eleanor Brereton at Malpas, Cheshire. A fine example of Chellaston work.

Michael Smith

Feb 14, 20206 min read