Blood and mistletoe

This book by Ronald Hutton examines the history of the Druids in Britain from ancient times to the present day.

It delves into the scarcity of reliable evidence about the ancient Druids, which has allowed subsequent British generations to reimagine and reinterpret their roles.

Hutton charts how the Druids have been portrayed in various ways—as patriots, scientists, philosophers, or priests—and sometimes as corrupt, bloodthirsty, or ignorant.

The book also explores how the Druids have been written in and out of history, archaeology, and public consciousness, particularly during the romantic period when they dominated notions of British prehistory.