The Celts originally came from a wide area across Europe and were made up a many different tribes rather than one nation. They were linked by common beliefs but were a warring people equally happy to fight another of their own tribes as non Celts. They gradually came into Britain not as an organised invasion but bit by bit and brought with them iron and ironworking. Iron made great changes as it was a material that was fairly readily available throughout the country unlike bronze the constituent parts of which were not so easily obtained. The Celts in Scotland and Ireland were from the same tribe and this influence can still be seen today.
During this time the Celts built hill forts some of which were quite small and could only have accommodated a single family. It is not known whether these were built by the Celts during their spread into Britain or by the British to protect against the Celts. Either way as there was rarely water supplies there it would not have been effective as a safe place for any length of time.
The Celts lived in clans, something like an extended family, and the practice was to foster out children rather than rear them themselves. There was a written language later but much of the lore was handed down orally and the training of the Druids in this respect was of great importance.
It is the spirituality of the Celts that is focussed on more now. Some of the main aspects of the beliefs are –
· A love of nature and the natural world and a gift from the gods.
· Reverence for poetry and art, the great stories and storytelling and higher learning
· Awareness of a higher power present and a personal spiritual guide there to help them
· Family and the ties of kinship
The Celtic religion had many gods and goddesses and these are still recognised in many of the Pagan traditions today.