They say that much of history is written by the victor. Much of what we think we know about druids is probably due to Roman propaganda, which is why, even today, they get a bad press. Say the word Druid and it's easy to conjure images of human sacrifice, maybe cannibalism, cruelty, and manipulation (that or something closer to Gandalf the Grey)!
But why? Well, comparatively little is known about Druidism, but in today's parlance, it seems pretty clear that these were influencers, which is why the Romans didn't like it. Druids probably had a variety of roles. They were perhaps teachers, healers, spiritual leaders, historians, advisers and community leaders.
Maybe human sacrifice was involved, but we don't know the extent. It was the justification (or excuse) for the elimination of druids during the Roman occupation. I find that a bit rich coming from Romans who treated human life as a disposable commodity when it suited and thought nothing of slavery.
Anyway, my second book in the Atticus Trilogy, again written for a young audience, is called The Ash Druid, and I shamelessly latch onto the notion of a Druid being a crafty manipulator. Here's the book pitch:
Roman influence and power in Britannia are diminishing, but with it, the northern tribes are becoming emboldened. Noblemen who once gave their allegiance to Rome are flexing their muscles and seeking a return to the old ways. But, while they bicker and negotiate over who should be king, another force is in the ascendency. The Arch Druid, known simply as Ash, has his own grand plans, which involve the manipulation of both the tribes and Romans. Newly appointed junior tribune to the Twentieth legion, Atticus finds his first posting takes him to Hadrian’s Wall. Bored and uncertain, he begins to learn about the seedy underbelly of life in the legions. Meanwhile, his father, as legate of the Sixth, is commanded to finish the job he once started and bring the Parisii tribe to heel. The stage is set for dirty deeds and a mighty clash in this thrilling sequel to The Boy Centurion.
