Folklore studies / Study of myth Books

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Book SynopsisClose examination of the significant theme of other-worldly encounters in Norse myth and legend, including giantesses, monsters and the Dead. A particular, recurring feature of Old Norse myths and legends is an encounter between creatures of This World [gods and human beings] and those of the Other [giants, giantesses, dwarves, prophetesses, monsters and the dead]. Concentrating on cross-gendered encounters, this book analyses these meetings, and the different motifs and situations they encompass, from the consultation of a prophetess by a king or god, to sexual liaisons and return from the dead. It considers the evidence for their pre-Christian origins, discusses how far individual poets and prose writers were free to modify them, and suggests that they survived in medieval Christian society because [like folk-tale] they provide a non-dogmatic way of resolving social and psychological problems connected with growing up, succession from one generation to the next, sexual relationships and bereavement.Trade ReviewAn inspiring and readable study [.] invaluable for anyone working in the field of Old Norse studies. * SAGA-BOOK *A very useful and thought-provoking book. * SPECULUM *Thorough and impressive. [...] Gives thoughtful and precise readings of the Old Norse texts. * JOURNAL OF ENGLISH AND GERMANIC PHILOLOGY *

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Book SynopsisEast Lothian is well known as the setting for the notorious "North Berwick" witchcraft outbreak, which is so famous as to have come to dominate all consideration of Scottish witchcraft. This is a pity, as there is much about "North Berwick" which is not typical of Scottish witchcraft, while there is a vast amount of other interesting material which up to now has been virtually ignored. "Wise wives and warlocks" takes a less academic approach than "Goodnight my servants all" (Grimsay Press, 2008)-- which tries to find every reference on record relating to witchcraft and other kindred matters in East Lothian -- and offers a close look at some of the more interesting characters involved. Until recently, the politically correct view of Scottish witchcraft was more or less that it was all nonsense, and that "witches" were poor innocent souls unjustly hounded to a horrible death by tyrannical misogynist religious fanatics. While there is a limited amount of truth in this view, we need not doubt for a moment that there were substantial numbers of people in 17th Century Scotland making a living as healers, charmers, and practitioners of traditional magic. Some of these worthies were not above using their "powers" to cause harm and mischief, and some were seriously unpleasant people habitually extracting money and gifts with threats and menaces. The question of diabolic witchcraft is more problematic. The Devil was originally a foreign import into the world of traditional Scottish magic, and while we cannot absolutely rule out the possibility of "witch clubs" with a "devil" as a sort of master of ceremonies, it seems likely that most of the witchcraft confessions involving the Devil were exercises in telling interrogators what they wanted to hear. We should perhaps make an effort to climb down from our lofty modern superiority, and try to see magic and witchcraft through 17th Century eyes. Our ancestors were not being wilfully stupid or perverse. Magic and witchcraft were realities which pervaded everyday life, and fitted logically into the scheme of things. Many of our cherished 21st Century notions may seem just as bizarre three hundred years into the future.

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Book SynopsisThis is an engaging account of the world of the Vikings and their gods. As the Vikings began to migrate overseas as raiders or settlers in the late eighth century, there is evidence that this new way of life, centred on warfare, commerce and exploration, brought with it a warrior ethos that gradually became codified in the Viking myths, notably in the cult of Odin, the god of war, magic and poetry, and chief god in the Norse pantheon. The twelfth and thirteenth centuries, when most of Scandinavia had long since been converted to Christianity, form perhaps the most important era in the history of Norse mythology: only at this point were the myths of Thor, Freyr and Odin first recorded in written form. Using archaeological sources to take us further back in time than any written document, the accounts of foreign writers like the Roman historian Tacitus, and the most important repository of stories of the gods, old Norse poetry and the Edda, Christopher Abram leads the reader into the lost world of the Norse gods.Trade Review‘Undoubtedly a learned, informative and enjoyable account of the Norse myths that presents a new model for future discussion.' -- BBC History Magazine‘The most innovative aspect of Abram's account is the emphasis he places on skaldic verse, particularly in his chapters dealing with the Viking Age and the conversion period. Though it would be easy to dismiss this poetry as no more ancient than the high medieval sources in which it is preserved, Abram takes the more challenging line that some of it is indeed originally from the pagan period and very successfully teases all kinds of new insights from it. He does this by paying much closer attention to the contexts and detail of this poetry than previous commentators... this is undoubtedly a learned, informative and enjoyable account of the Norse myths that presents a new model for future discussion.' -- www.historyextra.com[a] valuable introduction to the subject. -- Contemporary Review, Volume 293, No. 1702Almost all of the scholars from whom we have learnt about Norse mythology were synthesisers, carefully combining fragmentary evidence from different regions, periods, and genres to build up as coherent a composite picture as possible... Dr Abram takes the opposite approach, isolating each individual instance of a myth’s occurrence, discussing it as an entity in its own right, and relating it to whatever can be discovered of its social and historical context — and indeed, in the case of skaldic verse, to what is known of its author and the patron for whom he wrote... However much we already know and love Norse myths, Dr Abram’s book will add a vivid new awareness of the human processes that created and preserved them. -- Jacqueline Simpson , The Folklore Society, UK * Folklore *Table of ContentsIntroduction.; Chapter 1: The sources of Norse mythology.; Chapter 2: The gods on the ground.; Chapter 3: Myths in the Viking Age.; Chapter 4: The Twilight of the gods.; Chapter 5: Pagan myths under conversion.; Chapter 6: The rebirth of Norse mythology.

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Book SynopsisFirst published in Irish in 1961 and in English in 1967, this classic work has never been superseded as a treatment of the fascinating subject of traditional wakes in Ireland. As well as eating, drinking, smoking a pipe and taking snuff, many other forms of entertainment were common in Irish wakes, to pass the long hours of the night or two nights of the wake. These included storytelling, singing, dancing, music, card-playing, riddling and rhyming, and feats of agility and strength both inside the wake-house and in an adjoining field before the funeral started next day. Seán Ó Súilleabháin also shows that Ireland, far from being different from other countries, was part of the general European (and world) pattern in holding prolonged and merry wakes.Trade Review'Macabre but a fascinating exploration of the games, practical jokes and general revelry that accompanied wakes and which are now increasingly things of the past. Helpful background to Finnegans Wake, by James Joyce, which takes place at a wake and features many jokes, literary games and high-spirited hijinks.' - J. Geary -- J GearyTable of ContentsIntroduction Wakes at Present and Long Ago Storytelling; Singing; Music and Dancing; Card Playing; Riddles; Tongue Twisters; Versifying and repetition of Jingles. Contests in Strength; Agility; Dexterity; Accuracy of Aim; Endurance and Toughness; Hardihood and Athletics. Taunting and Mocking; Booby Traps; Mischief-making; Horse-Play, Rough Games; Fights at Wakes and Funerals. Imitative Games Catch Games Games of Hide, Seek and Guessing Various Other Games The Keening of the Dead Church Opposition to Wake Abuses The Extent of Wake Abuses and Their Decline The Origin and Purpose of Wakes and Their Amusements Sources Index

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Book SynopsisBiddy Early: The Wise Woman of Clare is an intriguing book that transports readers to a quaint two-roomed thatched cottage nestled between the Clare hills, overlooking Kilbarron Lake in Ireland. This was the home of the notorious red-headed Biddy Early, a figure shrouded in mystery and debate. Arguments persist about whether Biddy was a witch or a divinely gifted individual. Throughout this book, the reader is immersed in the rich tapestry of Irish folklore and history, as the mention of Biddy Early's name in any part of Ireland, particularly in County Clare, evokes a flood of astonishing stories, cures, prophecies, warnings, and broken spells. The narrative explores her life, being four times widowed, and the legendary 'magic bottle' she possessed. This bottle, always kept within reach and hidden under a shawl when she travelled, was her tool for clairvoyance, much like a crystal ball, offering her insights and answers. The book masterfully blends fact, legend, and mystery, offering a comprehensive portrayal of Biddy Early, a figure who continues to fascinate and mystify. It's an essential read for those interested in Irish folklore, women's history, and the enduring power of myth and legend in shaping our understanding of the past.

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