Where did Modern Paganism start? - Ronald Hutton

The deeper exploration of Paganism begins with its roots in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and the question of how ancient paganism was regarded then. It considers the mainstream views of that paganism in that period, which veered between regarding it as a religion of ignorance, tyranny and bloodshed, and one of great artistic and literary achievements that prepared the way for Christianity. It goes on to show how new ideas about it developed amongst radicals, which preserved the admiration for the accomplishments of ancient paganism while throwing away the caveats.

This lecture was recorded by Ronald Hutton on 30th October 2024 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London.

Ronald is the Gresham Professor of Divinity.

He is also Professor of History at the University of Bristol and a Fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Historical Society, the Society of Antiquaries and the Learned Society of Wales.

[BillSikes.]

Fantastic!!! ..The Reverend Dr Ronnie Hutton is my favourite lecturer from the Gresham Crew 🤙😊

[jenniferlevine]

Excellent lecturer and speaker, also Prof Hutton is so extensively knowledgeable, his talks are simply the best. I will be listening to this one again. Thank you for sharing such high quality videos! I really appreciate having access.

[PRAISE_HASHUT]

I could listen to Hutton all day long… and sometimes I do! Great to have these accessible and free lectures, many thanks!

[DragonborneRising]

Thank you Professor Hutton, as a Pagan (learning) I'm thoroughly enjoying your lectures, I'm learning so much through this medium and look forward to your next offering.

[socchikurokawa]

Always love listening to Dr. H... and now I have a new way of talking about the "one true Grod" 😁

[MymilanitalyBlogspot]

Fascinating and entrancing, as usual, thank you Dr Hutton and Gresham College

[KernowekTim]

Always a fascinating pleasure to listen to and learn from, Ronald Hutton. Thank you Gresham College.

[Colganology]

Fascinating and entertaining, as always.

[TheMetalfarmer]

I would listen to him give a lecture about ANYTHING

[Neilhuny]

Prof Ron leaves us on tenterhooks for his future lectures!

"England had everything that was needed for a modern pagan revival: a vanishing countryside which attracted love, sympathy and a tendency to re-sprititulise nature, a classical education which provided tremendous models in literature and art, a strong and self-confident nation state to protect and nurture this society, a strong economy to fund it, and a harmonious and relatively united society which enabled a counter-culture to appear, without immediately being stamped out by an insecure society and government"

Shall we lay bets on Tolkein and the First World War being mentioned (not necessarily in the same breath)?

[johnrose]

I can't wait for his next lecture. Professor Hutton, your the best!

[JayJ-gl]

Amazing lecture...absolutely 10 out of 10, Thank You 🙏

[dorteweber]

What a story-teller he is. His ectures are wonderful.

[TheMadAfrican]

Brilliant lecture. Yet another example of the evils committed against innocent people in the name of "making the world a better place" at the beginning there.

[indigenousnorwegianeuropa]

Oh great Thor, god of strength and bravery, we call upon you in our time of need. As we face uncertainty and challenges, we seek your guidance and protection.

Grant us the courage to stand tall and face our fears, and the strength to overcome any obstacle that may come our way. May your hammer Mjolnir imbue us with the power of the thunderbolt, giving us the resilience and determination to conquer even the most formidable foes.

May your wisdom guide us as we navigate through difficult times, and may your presence bring us peace and comfort in moments of strife. Thor, we honor you and thank you for your unwavering support and guidance. May your blessings be upon us always. So be it!

[Baka_Komuso]

During my days reading law at Teddy, I would see the good professor about town. We were both much younger then. I remember it as if it were yesterday.

[helenswan]

The history is intriguing and often horrifying, but then the human race have rarely learned to be nice to each other, have we. Here's my own living definition of pagan. Recognition and observation of the natural cycle of the year. Recognition of the creative spirit in all things.

[azsqa]

This guy's like my favourite human being. Lol

[delphinidin]

Interesting to know that Kenneth Graham was experimenting with the term "Paganism", since there's that BEAUTIFUL chapter in The Wind in the Willows where our heroes encounter the god Pan - that scene made me cry the first time I read it.

[mikesummers-smith]

Lord forgive me, I remember reading _Coral Island_ (as a classic boys' book) in the 1950s. Rider Haggard was pretty bad too.