Priest and King System

Author: Li Shaoming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Priests and Kings: Celts of Ireland is one of the world history series LIFE published by Time-Life Books. This volume recounts the legendary story of Christianized Northern Ireland and also tells many equally captivating tales. As you turn the pages, it feels as if you step into Ireland from the 4th to the 13th century, joining the living men and women of that era. Following their footsteps, we arrive at a pivotal time when traditional Celtic society transitioned into the Christian world. Through the accounts of travelers, priests and judges, as well as the heroic tales and oral histories for which Ireland is renowned worldwide, this book weaves together the intricate stories of that period—featuring kings, robbers, farmers, monks, scholars, and saints. We see how the king of kings Brian Boru swept away his rivals to become a dominant ruler; how St. Brigid, the daughter of a priest, refused to marry and even risked losing her eyes; and how Domnhall mac Máel Duin, in his quest to restore his family's heritage, welcomed trouble and invited disaster, ultimately leading Ireland into the hands of King Henry II of England. Accompanying these stories are full-color illustrations that present breathtaking landscapes, intricately carved monuments, elaborate manuscripts, and goldwork masterpieces—“works so marvelously wrought as to seem the work of no human hand.” These vivid visuals bring to life the people of that era and their daily lives. Among these illustrations, we see the massive stone circles left by Ireland's ancient inhabitants, allowing us to contemplate their beliefs; the beehive-shaped dwellings on remote islands, inspiring us to imagine the ascetics who renounced worldly desires; and the ornate carvings on bones, bearing witness to the artisans' pursuit of perfection.