The pagan Celts told of supernatural voyages to islands of joy. As the Roman Empire crumbled around them, Celtic Christians threw themselves passionately into such a quest. Pilgrimage was not to shrines of the past, but a voyage into the future. Yet their spirituality was essentially concerned with politics and people. Brigid ruled a monastery for women and men, princesses and slaves, while Arthur was defending Celtic Britain against English invaders - and antagonizing the Church. Columban was deported from Burgundy; Aidan died protesting against his king. Some did slam the monastery gates on the sinful world. More tramped into the hills, staff in hand, to stand alongside ordinary people. Using history, and a thoughtful examination of legends, Fay Sampson weaves these strands like Celtic knotwork into a continuous story.