My current—and likely final—book project is about Maypole traditions and related customs. These are found in various forms in many countries around the world. Just for those who’ve never heard of them… A Maypole is a stripped tree trunk decorated with wreaths and ribbons, which is often erected on the…
I have authored 16 books in German, I have translated 12 into English and 5 into Dutch. Additionally, two other works were published solely in one of those languages. Currently, I am engaged in writing another book, this one focusing on the Maypole and its associated phenomena. While I work…
From the outset, I did not intend to post blog contributions regularly on this homepage. I would also be at a loss as to what I could frequently share, except perhaps what I have eaten and drunk, or how often my cat has yawned. Thus, I have occasionally written here…
A few years back, I penned an enlightening article about the Lorelei phenomenon, also known as Lorelay or Lore Lay, and published it in English, German, and Dutch. You can find it in each language as a PDF on this website. It is available for reading, downloading, or both. If…
For many summers, I have spent time at the computer writing articles and books. However, this summer, I just didn't feel like it at all. I had a whole bunch of short poems that I had intended to turn into brief songs for years. Unfortunately, I lack the musical talent…
Recently, I was asked whether my publications fall under the category of popular science literature. This prompted me to reflect on the question. Then I provided both a brief and a more detailed response, which I documented. My brief answer was: Partially. The longer response aimed to elaborate on the…
Another book project has been completed! The book "Britain and Boudicca" has just been released in English, German, and Dutch. Unlike some of my other works, this one wasn't initially written in a single language and then translated into the others. Instead, I wrote sections in English, German, and occasionally…
Today, as I pen these words, it is December 25, 2024. Another year is nearly behind us, and what a tumultuous one it has been on both international and national fronts, with many events that are far from uplifting. Closest to my home in Western Europe, we have witnessed the…
Summary of a June 2024 interview by Fra. Jossip The publications, written by Gunivortus Goos, usually the first name is shortened to 'Guus' by his family and friends, have a multiple background. First, there is since many decades his addiction to research by going to the 'bottom' of his sources.…
While recovering from the surgery in which I got an artificial hip joint, I finished the Nehalennia project in which an English edition of my already longer existing German and Dutch editions was made. Although much of the contents of this English book are translated from the other ones, it…
While writing/translating my upcoming book in English, German and Dutch "Britain and Boudicca", I found a painting by Sir John Everett Millais from 1865, titled "The Romans Leaving Britain". Most of Britain was several centuries part of the Roman Empire, and only after that Empire was in its last spasms,…
For several weeks now I have been working on this site. Not on the layout, but on 'technical' changes running in the background. In the process, however, some pages have been damaged, it may be, that when you click on something in the menu, the content is not visible or…
Though I am retired, I've no time to bore myself. Researching and writing is part of my daily activities, some topics lend themselves for a (popular science) book, others for an article. And seldomly I'm in the mood to poetize. And then, there's also my part of the household, which…
Admittedly, although I worked over the last quite a few months at my PC, it was not making new contributions to this site that had priority. Instead the research around the ancient terms "T(h)ing - þing or ðing" took so much time that other work at the computer had to…
After the German language edition of this book appeared in 2020, I had more or less abandoned the project, but from far and wide came the request to make the book in English as well. After some hesitation - translations of my books I do myself - I then started…
From the preface: It was quite some time ago, while I was 'surfing' the Internet somewhat aimlessly, that I read the claim that the "Sachsenspiegel" (Saxon Mirror) dates from the time when the Saxons were fighting Charlemagne. Even two websites, one in German and one in English claimed this. I…
My life is partly like that of a hermit. Although I don't live in the wilderness, but in a detached house with a garden, I love to be at home, indoors or outdoors - in the garden or on the terrace. There are very few encounters with other people. And…
During my research for ancient assembly places in England, I found the entry below. It is about an oak that once stood in the village of Headingly, a suburb of the city of Leeds in West-Yorkshire, England. About that famous old oak, it was written: "The principal object in the…
From some of the books I wrote are both a printed version and an e-book available. For other books I have refused an -e-book version, because then, on some book stores on the web and at Google, too much is shown in the 'view inside' option. (It could be that…
