top of page
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.
Search
Holt Castle, or Castle Lion, Denbighshire
A description, history and site interpretation of Holt Castle, Denbighshire with photography and links to other information sources.
Michael Smith
Feb 9, 20207 min read
Degannwy Castle - a stronghold brought to ruin by revenge
A brief history of Degannwy (Deganwy) castle in North Wales, with a description, photographs and useful links.
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Jan 6, 20205 min read
Book Review: Hollow Places by Christopher Hadley
Hollow Places is a fascinating examination of how legends grow through time and yet have a basis in truth. A stunning examination of the leg
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Sep 2, 20194 min read
Review: Green Knight - a mediaeval lady's real thoughts on knighthood and chivalry
A review of Dr Debbie Cannon's magnificent play about Lady Bertilak and her love for Sir Gawain - as seen from the point of view of The
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Jul 9, 20197 min read
Cookham, Taplow and the Pyschogeography of the Thames Valley
The landscape of the Thames valley between Windsor and Maidenhead has an extraordinary and spiritual atmosphere if you clear your head of th
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Jun 8, 20195 min read
Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire - a wonder in the fens
Bolingbroke Castle is a special castle with a history fundamentally linked to the history of England. Built on an hexagonal plan, the castle
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Mar 18, 20195 min read
Book Review: The Castle at War in Medieval England and Wales
Dr Dan Spencer's book on the Medieval castles is a valuable and accessible guide to castles - not what they are but where they appear in
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Feb 19, 20195 min read
Making a linocut print of King Arthur and Excalibur for my new book
This article shows the process involved in researching and printing a four colour linocut print of King Arthur and Excalibur. The image will
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Feb 16, 20194 min read
The Battle of Agincourt, 1415
An overview of the revolutionary tactics used by Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt 1415.
Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Oct 24, 20184 min read
The church of St John the Baptist, Barnack, Cambridgeshire – an astonishing Anglo-Saxon survival
A brief tour with photographs of the astonishing Anglo-Saxon (and later) church of St John the Baptist at Barnack, Cambs. A truly remarkable
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
Sep 5, 20184 min read
The historic landscape at Castle Bytham in Lincolnshire
A description of the astonishing motte and bailey castle at Castle Bytham, Lincolnshire, with its historic earthworks and man-made landscape
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
Aug 12, 20183 min read
Illustrating my new translation of the Alliterative Morte Arthure (King Arthur's Death)
A new translation of the epic fourteenth century story of King Arthur's Death by Michael Smith will feature over 32 stunning linocut ill
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
Aug 11, 20182 min read
In search of the De Veres - St Nicholas Church at Castle Hedingham
St Nicholas Church in Castle Hedingham, Essex contains a rich collection of Norman, mediaeval and Tudor work. Of particular interest is a ra
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
Jul 22, 20184 min read
The Mediaeval Graffiti at Anstey, Hertfordshire
Learn about the fabulous mediaeval graffiti at Anstey in Hertfordshire, including shields, helmets, writing and more.
Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
May 23, 20183 min read
Book Review: The East Country - Almanac Tales of Valley and Shore
I read a lot of books when undertaking my research into printmaking but occasionally my mind is drawn by something different. Just such a...
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Mar 11, 20183 min read
Chasing windmills on the Cambridgeshire borders
When the moment is right, and the will permits, there is no greater pleasure than pottering along ancient lanes on an old motorcycle -...
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Feb 11, 20183 min read
Creating a linocut print of Sir Hugh Calveley
How I made and printed a four-colour linocut of the Cheshire Knight, Sir Hugh Calveley. Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Nov 25, 20172 min read
Great Canfield, Essex – a remarkable “hidden” Norman church
The church of St Mary’s at Great Canfield in the county of Essex is remarkable. While from the outside its windows and decoration give...
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Oct 28, 20174 min read
Stonehenge Tunnel - a denial of democracy in pursuit of money? Updated November 2020
This morning we had final confirmation of the tunnel to be built near Stonehenge . After centuries of evocative journeys, from now on...
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Sep 12, 20175 min read
St Winefride's Well - an amazing mediaeval survival rich in history and mythology
Learn about St Winefride's Well - an amazing mediaeval well in Flintshire, North Wales.
Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Aug 30, 20173 min read
bottom of page