Down the ages

Heroes

King Arthur, Helena Blavatsky, Boudicca, Aleister Crowley, Gerald Brosseau Gardner, Ingolfur Arnarson, John Toland

There must be hundreds of prominent pagans whose names are lost in history, but a few are well known to everyone, whether or not you are a follower of the old religions.

King Arthur

The image of trusty King Arthur riding out of his castle with his knights in full plate armour is a Renaissance fantasy. There is no record of a King Arthur ever ruling a united Britain, and the sources that do hint at such a character themselves hold dubious references. However, there were numerous Anglo-Saxon leaders and warlords who adopted positions of power following the vacuum left by the Roman withdrawal, and some people believe that the references to Arthur relate to one of these early pagan warriors.

[top]

Helena Blavatsky

Madame Blavatsky established the Theosophical Society in 1875. After studying Tibetan Buddhism, she created a set of teachings incorporating a religion that combined elements of Hinduism, ancient Egyptian religion and other pagan philosophies. Her teachings were based on a deep respect for nature and, in many ways, offered a departure from traditional Christian beliefs.

[top]

Boudicca

Pagan Iron Age tribal leader, Boudicca, ruled the East Anglian Iceni people with her husband Prasutagus. After the Roman occupation, her tribe existed under Roman rule until they were betrayed following the death of Prasutagus. When the Roman authorities refused to honour her husband’s wishes, and then denounced her position and raped her daughters, Boudicca wrought revenge in the destruction of Colchester, London and St Albans in 60-61 AD. Her image remains as the archetypal strong British woman.

[top]

Aleister Crowley

An early 20th century poet and mountaineer who became fascinated with the theory and practice of paganism and the occult. Mostly self-published, Crowley established his own cult (Ordo Templi Orientis) which he detailed in his Book of Law. Largely associated with the darker side of alternative worship, he also developed the interpretation of Tarot cards with the Book of Thoth.

[top]

Gerald Brosseau Gardner

Gardner was a 20th century writer who travelled widely and collected observations on the cultures and practices of civilisations outside the Christian world. He went on to investigate supernatural practices and ancient religions while becoming a member of a coven. In the 1950s, he developed the Wicca religion, which has become widely adopted by modern pagans who practise under the Gardnerian tradition.

[top]

Ingolfur Arnarson

Arnarson was a pagan Viking leader exiled from Norway who discovered Iceland in 874 AD. He threw two lengths of timber (possibly seat backs) into the sea and swore that he would settle where they came ashore. They landed at the site of present day Reykjavik. Here he established the last European pagan settlement, which later went on to promote the first General Assembly of pagans.

[top]

John Toland

Irishman John Toland was born a Catholic in 1670 and later converted to Protestantism in his early teens. He then went on to publish various works which disputed Christian teaching. At this time, the pagan tradition was also becoming more popular and the Druid movement became revitalised. Toland was made the first Chosen Chief of the Ancient Druid Order, which later became known as the British Circle of the Universal Bond.

[top]