The Archivist's Corner by Carolyn Emerick

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.

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.

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.

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Scottish Witch Trials: When Witches Communed with Fairies

Hildegard of Bingen: A Star Shining in Dark Ages

Vikings: The Pretty Boys of the Middle Ages?

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Open the Timecapsule

Scottish Witch Trials: When Witches Communed with Fairies

Hildegard of Bingen: A Star Shining in Dark Ages

Vikings: The Pretty Boys of the Middle Ages?

Archives

Categories

Do you believe European heritage should be preserved? Please support this ongoing work!

Bitcoin tips can be sent to:

Do you believe European heritage should be preserved?
Please support this ongoing work!