ISBN:
9781846155376
Language:
English
Pages:
1 online resource (xi, 226 pages)
Series Statement:
Anglo-Saxon studies 8
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als
DDC:
398.2109420902
Keywords:
Elves
;
Anglo-Saxons / Religion
;
Civilization, Anglo-Saxon
;
Civilization, Medieval
;
Paganism / England
;
Paganism / Europe
;
Elfe
;
Europa
;
England
;
England
;
Elfe
Abstract:
Anglo-Saxon elves [Old English 〈I〉 ælfe〈/I〉] are one of the best attested non-Christian beliefs in early medieval Europe, but current interpretations of the evidence derive directly from outdated nineteenth- and early twentieth-century scholarship. Integrating linguistic and textual approaches into an anthropologically-inspired framework, this book reassesses the full range of evidence. It traces continuities and changes in medieval non-Christian beliefs with a new degree of reliability, from pre-conversion times to the eleventh century and beyond, and uses comparative material from medieval Ireland and Scandinavia to argue for a dynamic relationship between beliefs and society. In particular, it interprets the cultural significance of elves as a cause of illness in medical texts, and provides new insights into the much-discussed Scandinavian magic of 〈I〉seidr〈/I〉. Elf-beliefs, moreover, were connected with Anglo-Saxon constructions of sex and gender; their changing nature provides a rare insight into a fascinating area of early medieval European culture.〈BR〉〈BR〉 Shortlisted for the Katharine Briggs Folklore Award 2007〈BR〉〈BR〉 ALARIC HALL is a fellow of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies
Description / Table of Contents:
A medieval Scandinavian context -- The earliest Anglo-Saxon evidence -- Female elves and beautiful elves -- Ælfe, illness and healing (1) : the 'elf-shot' conspiracy -- Ælfe, illness and healing (2) : ælfsiden -- Anglo-Saxon myth and gender -- Believing in early medieval history -- Appendix 1 : The linguistic history of elf -- Appendix 2 : Two non-elves
Note:
Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 21 Apr 2017)
DOI:
10.1017/9781846155376
URL:
Volltext
(URL des Erstveröffentlichers)
URL:
Volltext
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URL:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9781846155376/type/BOOK
URL:
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Volltext
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