Using history, and a thoughtful examination of legends, Fay Sampson weaves the strands of Celtic Christianity like Celtic knotwork into a continuous story, exciting and unsentimental. As the Roman empire crumbled, Celtic Christians threw themselves into pilgrimage and quest. They found their visionary islands on Skellig Michael, Iona, Lindisfarne ... 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. 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.