Following his books on wells in Wales and Cornwall, Phil Cope journeys up and down the borderlands between Wales and England and through history, from pre-Christian times through Roman and early Christian times, the medieval Age of the Princes in Wales and on to Victorian and the contemporary period. His discoveries are recorded in striking and atmospheric photographs and are accompanied by the remarkable histories of the sacred wells that have played an important part in the culture and landscape of the region, and the legends attached to them. Wronged suitors, magic horses, Dark Age battles, the reign of King Arthur, and innumerable decapitations feature among the vividly magical tales. Richly illustrated in color throughout, the wells from Cheshire to Monmouthshire, from the Dee to the Severn, are here displayed in all their glory, be they in remote countryside or city center.

Borderlands: New Photographs and Old Tales of Sacred Springs, Holy Wells and Spas of the Wales–England Borders

Cope, Phil

Religion & Spirituality

Seren

Author and photographer Phil Cope takes his camera on a journey through the sacred wells of Scotland from the Borders to the Orkney Islands. On his way he discovers wells in city centres and, quite literally, in the middle of nowhere – on mountainsides, in deserted valleys, on the coast, in sea caves. They include healing wells, cursing wells, and wells named for saints, Satan, witches, angels, fairies, friars, nuns, hermits, murderers and hangmen, even a well of the dead. His luscious and atmospheric photographs are accompanied by folk tales, myths and legends, conversations with well-keepers and poems inspired by Scottish wells.

Holy Wells: Scotland

Arts & Photography

Photography & Video

In The Living Wells of Wales author and photographer Phil Cope has made a lavishly illustrated guide to over a hundred sacred wells in Wales, pagan and Christian, for the specialist and occasional visitors alike. Packed with photographs, Cope describes their cultural relevance to contemporary Welsh identity through landscape, myth and architecture.

The Living Wells of Wales: New photographs and old tales of our sacred springs, holy wells and spas

History

Europe

The Golden Valley

Individual Artists

Ancient, mysterious, and fascinating in their varied forms, the holy wells in these photographs range from almost invisible rock-strewn holes to startling rocky outcrops. Historical notes and selected poems by such authors as Rowen Williams and R. S. Thomas are used to explain the significance of the 42 wells featured, which were originally used in pagan rituals before they were attached to early Christian churches. Commercialized spas and full-blown pilgrimage destinations, such as Holywell in northeast Wales, are also shown, along with an environmental message about protecting these fragile geological sites.

Holy Wells: Wales: A Photographic Journey

Celebrating the culture and landscape of Cornwall, England, this collection presents the sacred wells of the region through stunning color photographs and informative text. Trekking though densely wooden terrain and into ancient churches, this volume features dozens of preeminent Cornish wells and the legends and history associated with them. Unique and enlightening, this compilation demonstrates the Celtic influence on towns and villages through the nomenclature of wells and places of worship and further highlights the sacred wells through poetry—composed by renowned writers, including Robert Southey and Arthur Quller Couch.

Holy Wells: Cornwall: A Photographic Journey

The Oldest Music (1) (Holy Wells of Wexford and Pembrokeshire)

Literature & Fiction

Poetry

Parthian Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Cope, Phil. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Cope, Phil