‘Murder Strikes Again’

DRUIDISM

Fact File

Druidism was the ancient religion of the Celtic races in Ireland, Britain, and France – then known as Gaul. The druids worshipped many gods such as the sun god and the moon god.

They believed that water was sacred, especially the water from spring wells.

They also believed that oak trees were sacred and the mistletoe, which grew on oaks, was especially sacred.

 Druids held a very high place in ancient Ireland and were greatly esteemed by kings and chieftains of the clans. They were supposed to have magical powers and in a battle they could summon up a magic mist.

Read &Write

1. Name three kinds of metal in use in the fifth century in Ireland?

2. How can you make a copper axe?

3. What happened when copper was mixed with tin?

4. Page 35: Bran is wearing a torc. What is a torc?

5. Page 35: What did King Cathen commission the goldsmith to make for the church?

Draw a picture of the sacred oak grove as it is described in chapter six.

Find a picture of a piece of mistletoe and then draw it very carefully showing the berries and the leaves.

Make a model of the ring of thirteen stones of white limestone.

You could use clay painted white or else some small rectangular pieces of polystyrene.

Imagine a great battle between two kings in ancient Ireland. One king calls upon his druid to use magical powers. Write down what happens.

Imagine you are Rua, the druid. Write down your feelings for Cetterick and this strange new religion brought by Patrick.