The Archivist's Corner by Carolyn Emerick

Heroic History: The Mythic Origins of Greek History

4/29/2017

A statue of the Greek god, Poseiden

Before history had been firmly established as a field of study, the Greeks used mythology to relay collective memory. Many of these stories were inspired by true events that grew into legend over time.

Just as school children in the United States today learn about the founding fathers, ancient Greeks listened to their Homerian epics. In his book, "Historiography: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern," Gerald Schlabach says “to attempt to live without a memory is to attempt to lose one’s humanity,” and, thus, we learn history today to give the individual a place rooted in their wider society.

Mythology served the same purpose to ancient societies. Today we separate theology from history. In fact, Schlabach makes a point to mention this in the essay on his website when he states “to suggest the ways that God may be involved in human history is to move into theology or philosophy of history. Those are different from the documentary study of history.” However, the ancients did not always see it this way.

Scottish Witch Trials: When Witches Communed with Fairies

4/23/2017

*Note: because this article touches on topics that I have expanded on in great detail in other articles, I have linked to related articles throughout the text so you can read more.

Our modern conventions tend to view the realms of fairies and witches separately. Witches have been viewed as evil, while fairies are seen as benevolent, cute, and kind. As scholars reevaluate witch trials and the confessions of those accused, we are coming to new conclusions on accused witches. One subject that has been discussed in the academic field of folklore, but has seemingly not seeped into the popular consciousness, is the connection between fairies and witches.

Great Moravia: The Forgotten Kingdom of the Czechs

4/20/2017

Great Moravia was an important, if short lived, autonomous state in medieval Central Europe. It is important for many reasons, but among them because it is the first known kingdom of the Western Slavic tribes.

To say it is forgotten is somewhat misleading for Great Moravia is remembered and celebrated with great pride by the Czech and Slovak people. But it is forgotten by conventional Western history books.

Today, many of us who have European ancestry are taking it upon ourselves to discover the hidden histories of our ancestral heritage. Thus we begin this exploration of a medieval kingdom with immense importance to the people of Central Europe

Hildegard of Bingen: A Star Shining in Dark Ages

4/9/2017

A portrait of Hildegard in stained glass.

In an age where women were more likely to be taught spinning than reading, and were generally thought to be mentally interferer to men, most women not only lacked the desire to speak out - they also lacked the means.

Education was generally restricted to the elite classes, so that took a large portion of women (and men) out of the equation. Within the elite classes, it seems that a woman might have access to an education under certain conditions. If a girl was lucky enough to have a father who believed in her ability, he might provide access to learning. However, abbeys and convents were the institutions most likely to educate girls so they could read the scriptures.

As we can see, pathways to education were available to some women. However, then and now, a well developed mind does not guarantee acceptance by one’s peers. It appears there were women reading in abbeys and working as scribes, and yet so few had a voice that was heard beyond the four walls of their home or cell.

This is what makes Hildegard of Bingen so exceptional. She was fortunate to be handed certain privileges that set her apart and gave her opportunities to cultivate her intellectual talents. Hildegard took full advantage of these privileges, coupled with cunning strategy, to ascend beyond the limitations imposed by her society.

Tristan and Isolde: A Medieval Story of Love and Betrayal

4/7/2017

Tristan and Isolde by Herbert James Draper (1863–1920)

Arthurian legend is filled with epic tales of tragic romance. The ménage à trois of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot is the story most focused on in contemporary film and literature. Merlin and Vivienne have had their fair share of air time, albeit often as a subplot to the Arthur and Guinevere saga.

But, aside from a poorly received 2006 film, recent media has largely ignored the story of Tristan and Isolde. Since it is a legend that the reader may be unfamiliar with, we shall begin with a re-telling of the story, followed by historical analysis. It should be noted that this tale, like all of the legends in Arthuriana, has many variations.

Vikings: The Pretty Boys of the Middle Ages?

4/4/2017

For the past millennium or so the Vikings have had quite a reputation. And it hasn’t been for their fabulous taste in fabric textures and color palettes! But lately, much has been written exploring the softer side of the Vikings. It came as a surprise to a lot of us, but we might just say that the Vikings were more refined than we ever imagined.

The reputation given to them by some foreigners, most often the victims of raids, has stuck with the Vikings for well over one thousand years – that they were barbarians. The stereotype of barbarians is that they are ignorant, filthy, and brutish.

However, we live in an age that prides ourselves on breaking down stereotypes and reevaluating how we look at people. And so, as we as a society have reconsidered how we define the many different people we interact with in the contemporary world, the stereotype of the Viking has recently been given a makeover as well.

The Hidden History of Christmas Carols

12/15/2016

A note to the reader: Never has it been so evident that history can sometimes be murky and difficult to wade through than during my quest to discover the roots of Christmas caroling! Different sources give different information, conflicting dates, and varying histories.

Ordinarily I would not open with a disclaimer. But, under the circumstances, if the reader were to look up this information on their own, they might find answers different than what I’ve written here. So, I will endeavor to weed through it all and give my own assessment of the material. And, I will try to be clear about where my information came from by citing all sources. - Carolyn

Nadolig Llawen: Merry Welsh Christmas!

12/9/2016

Æcerbot and Wassail - Blessing the Fields and Orchards

11/26/2016

During the autumn season when imagery of the harvest is all around, it can be easy to forget that the cornucopia of produce yielded is the product of year round effort. Thoughwe, most of whom are removed from the production of our own sustenance, may not be consciously aware of the agricultural calendar,it is something that our ancestors were very much aware of. Until very recently in the grand timeline of human history, the vast majority of human beings participated in agriculture, in one way or another, as well as the age old customs and rituals that went along with it.

Thanksgiving's Roots in Old World Harvest Feasts

11/24/2016

The First Thanksgiving, by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris.

November hearkens the coming of that great American harvest feast wherein we express our gratitude for Nature’s bounty, and for the indigenous people whose generous support ensured the survival of the progenitors of our nation. However, when we dig a little deeper we discover that the tradition of Thanksgiving extends far beyond the borders of the United States.

Canada celebrates her own Thanksgiving in October, and Germany’s version, called Erntedankfest, is celebrated either at the end of September or in early October. The November harvest festival that the British-American pilgrims would have been familiar with, prior to their emigration, is the Feast of Saint Martin,or Martinmas.

A Traditional Tale of Halloween Horror: Lighting the Witches Upon Pendle Hill

10/12/2016

Changeling Tales

9/16/2015

Tales of Changelings come up frequently in Celtic folklore. The term “changeling” refers to a human being, usually a child but sometimes an adult, who has been taken by the fairies and replaced by a look-a-like. Technically, the changeling is the look-a-like, while the real person is thought to be held captive by the fairies. This topic is briefly discussed in my article “Ten Reasons Fairies are Scary."

The Changeling by John Bauer, 1913

Changeling stories come up often in folklore. So, for this edition of the Archivist’s Corner, I have decided to let the folklore speak for itself. Here is a selection of some folkloric accounts of changeling tales from books that are in the public domain. Both books are available for free download on ProjectGutenberg.org.

Orkney's Terrible Trows

5/30/2015

Trows are fascinating creatures found only in the folklore of the Orkney and Shetland islands. But, describing them accurately is difficult because sources are not clear. Folklorists have long insisted that the word “trow” is a corruption of “troll,” and that Orkney’s Trows descend from their Viking ancestors’ stories of Trolls.

Sigurd Towrie, author of the comprehensive website covering all things Orkney, disagrees with this assessment. He believes there may be a connection with a different creature from Norse mythology, the Draugr. This connection stems from both creatures’ affiliation with burial mounds.

Scotland’s Haunted Castles

5/16/2015

Scotland is a nation rich in folkloric tradition. Both the highlands and the lowlands preserved distinct cultural folk tradition with influences from Gaelic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse influences. These cultures, along with the unique landscape and climate of this hilly northern country, fused to give Scottish folklore a unique flavor. Stories of ghosts and spirits are one common feature of Scottish lore.

And old photocrom print of Dunskey Castle, circa 1890-1900.

Fairy Lore from the Isle of Skye

5/15/2015

For many hundreds of years Skye remained an island isolated from the rest of Scotland. It did not exist in a complete vacuum, as it was settled by both Celts and Norse, and probably by the Picts before them. There were always comings and goings by way of ships and boats from the mainland and abroad. Due to this sea access, Skye became a Viking hot spot, like so many of the other Scottish Isles.

Its isolation became more pronounced toward the Industrial Revolution. As mechanized farming equipment, rail roads, and eventually motorways became the norm across mainland Britain, residents of Skye continued using traditional farming methods and modes of transport. It is no wonder, then, that fairy lore lingered on after it had begun to erode elsewhere.

Fairies by Edwin Austin Abbey

The Fairies’ Passage: Journeys of the Fae

2/18/2015

Celtic folklore is rife with tales of the Fae. According to the lore, to avoid angering the fairies you should always refer to them by a euphemism, such as “the Good People.” The fairies can be friend or foe, though in Celtic folklore they are more often known for their trickery than in neighboring Germanic lore, where elves are quite helpful. Germanic lore did make its way to Lowland Scotland with the Anglo-Saxons. The stories of helpful Scottish brownies, who do chores around the house are analogous with other Germanic domestic elves such as the German kobold and Scandinavian Tomte. Fairies could travel in groups, known as trooping fairies, or be solitary figures, such as the leprechaun.

Riddles from 1778

1/17/2015

As you know, I try to match this column to the monthly themes in Celtic Guide. But, given the nature of The Archivist’s Corner, wherein I search through antique and forgotten books, journals, poetry, etc., to bring you forgotten treasures from the past, I felt stumped as to what I could find for this month’s theme of “Mysteries.” Well, I was searching on the internet and I came across a book of riddles which seemed to match the theme, but it didn’t appear “Celtic” at all, so I almost dismissed it. But, then I happened to see the dedication on the title page which reads:

Compiled for the Use of
The Great and the Little
GOOD BOYS and GIRLS
In England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Well, there you have it. This book is for all you good little boys and girls with Celtic heritage. These riddles come from a book called “Food for the Mind: Or a New Riddle-Book,” published in 1778. It is credited to having been written by John-the-Giant-Killer, Esq. How fun! Pictures are provided in the book to help you solve the mysteries within these riddles. Quiz your friends and family and see who can guess these!

Christmas and Auld Lang Syne

11/30/2014

What truly makes Christmas special are the traditions that we participate in year after year. Some customs are participated in by the wider culture, and others are unique to individual families.

One unique aspect of the Christmas holiday is that traditions travel. European-American Christmas traditions have been adopted by all corners of the world. And many diverse elements from different European cultures traversed great distances to make their mark in far away places.

Yet, even when a family lights up their German Christmas tree, awaits the jingling of Finnish sleigh bells, and gathers to sing the Scots song Auld Lang Syne, they will incorporate elements of their own cultural background into their Christmas feast.

Halloween Traditions From Yesteryore

10/11/2014

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Hello and welcome to the Archivist's Corner! This is a column dedicated to sharing interesting pieces of history that have buried in the archives of time. This column also runs in Celtic Guide magazine, a free web-based publication celebrating Celtic history and culture.

For this installment I bring you some Halloween related treasures from the past three centuries. I hope you enjoy these antique slices of history as much as I do. ~ Carolyn

Ye Olde Halloween Poetry

"Halloween" by Robert Burns

This is a poem written in 1785 by Scotland's famous poet, Robert Burns, called "Halloween." The version on the right contains notations made by Burns himself, "to enable his readers to understand it, he added valuable notes, explanatory of the charms and spells of this eventful night."

You can read the full poem in original Scots dialect with Burns' notes here on Google Books.

The poem is available in translation to contemporary English here from BBC, where you can also hear an audio recording of the poem.

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Olde World Accounts of Halloween

10/8/2014

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Halloween is a fun and festive time of year with roots going back to Old World tradition. While some traditions have faded away, others survived and are still practiced today. In the old days, both October 31s and November 1st were considered special days. Often the eve before a holiday was the time for raucous revelry while the next morning was the time for solemn church going. Thus, All Hallows Eve (or evening) became Hallowe’en, and then simply Halloween. Of course we know that before it was All Hallows, the celebration was called Samhain (pronounced sow-en), a Celtic pagan high day. For this edition of The Archivist’s Corner, your archivist has uncovered some antiquated accounts of Celtic Halloween customs for your reading pleasure.

A vintage Scottish Halloween card

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Celebrating Autumn with Poetry from the Romantic Era

9/21/2014

Since the theme for Celtic Guide's September issue is ‘The Harvest,’ I thought it would be fitting to highlight some poems by writers of the British Romantic movement. The Romantic Era had its origins in the early 19th century, but it reached its peak between 1850-1900. It was largely considered to be a reaction to, and to some extent a rejection of, the preceding Enlightenment Era. The Enlightenment brought with it the Scientific Revolution and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. In a recent article about the discipline of folklore (Celtic Guide, June 2014), I mentioned that one detriment of these movements was the backlash against folk customs. Because the emphasis was on science and progress, country customs were often seen as backward. The Romantic Movement coincided with the birth of folklore as an academic discipline. Both folklorists and Romantic Era writers sought to press the pause button on this fast paced rush into the future.

Moonlit Landscape by Caspar David Friedrich

William Butler Yeats, Irish Poet and Patriot

7/3/2014

Since Celtic Guide’s July issue is themed “Heritage,” I have chosen a Celtic poet who really embodies the essence of that word, William Butler Yeats. Hailing from Ireland, Yeats truly embraced his native culture with pride and a strong sense of patriotism.

William Butler Yeats was born in Dublin in 1865 to an Anglo-Irish family. It has been noted that the Anglo-Irish in Ireland at the time were separated from the majority of the Irish due to their English background and Protestant religion. As such, many of the people within this group identified as English people who were born as Ireland. Yeats, however, remained staunchly resolute throughout his life that he was an Irish national by birth, and proud to be one.

William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939), Irish poet and dramatist, in 1920.

Sacred Wells and Wishing Trees

6/6/2014

Trees and wells have been places of wonder, wishes, offerings, and miracles in Britain since time immemorial. In many cases we can only speculate how long folk customs have been occurring. Northern and Central Europeans did not leave written records, apart from pictograms, sparse runic inscriptions or ogham carvings. Add to that, previous generations used materials that erode or decay. The point is that just because there is no record in no way implies something did not occur. But on the same token, it cannot very well be argued that it did occur unless there is hard evidence. This is the conundrum of the historian, but also of the folklorist who studies both lore and folk practices.

A well in Brockweir, in the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. Photo by Gillian Smith, used with permission.

Traditional Clothing of Scottish Women

5/7/2014

Scottish traditional dress is admired the world round. Indeed, Tartan Day celebrates Scottish heritage each year in April in the U.S. and Canada, while Australia and New Zealand celebrate it in July. Individual tartans are identified with different Scottish clans, and we when we hear the word “tartan,” the first image that comes to mind is the famed Scottish kilt. Perhaps it is because the kilt is so unique among modern men’s clothing that it has been the object of such fascination while traditional Scottish women’s clothing is often marginalized as a footnote. Well, this edition of the Archivist’s Corner is turning the tables! Kilt, step aside! Your Archivist has dug through the annals of time to uncover paintings, drawing, and written observations of traditional Scottish women’s apparel from roughly the 18th through the early 20th centuries.

Scottish Love Ballads

2/1/2014

For this edition, being the month of February, I’d like to share some old Scottish love ballads with you. However, these are not the epitome of what we would consider romantic today! But, they depict true emotion, and maybe a strong dose of heartache, while also giving a glimpse of a world gone by.

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