Showing posts with label scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scotland. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Scottish Mythology - Abbey Lubber / Awd Goggie
Abbey Lubber
The monks of the Middle Ages were not always the pious individuals that one might hope and Abbey Lubbers caused many problems. Some say they just wanted to share in the ill-gotten gains of the monks and others believe they were trying to expose the corruption of crooked monasteries. The Buttery Spirits, sometimes known as the Traveler's Torch, behaved the same way with inns and taverns.
Aiken Drum
Dressed only in clothing comprised of food, Aiken Drum must have presented something of a strange appearance to those who encountered him. According to the nursery rhyme, he lived in the Moon. The modern version of the nursery rhyme took out the part about Willy Wood eating Aiken Drum's food.
Ainsel
Little boys who ignore their mothers and stay up too late may meet Ainsel coming down the chimney onto the hearth of the fireplace.
Apple-Tree Man
The oldest apple tree in an orchard is the Apple Tree Man and he guards over the other trees. It's good to feed him apple cider and leave a little something for the robins in his branches.
Aughisky
The Irish water horse rose from the sea to gallop across land and anyone who could catch one would have a marvelous animal. However, if it ever again heard or saw the sea, it would kill its rider as it galloped back into the water. The Aughisky is very similar to the Each Uisge of Scotland.
Awd Goggie
This is a type of Bogie who is a caterpillar large enough to eat the children who ignore their mother's order to stay away from forests, orchards, and particularly berry bushes.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Banshee / Bwbachod
Banshee
The prophet of death is a beautiful woman who died young. If many banshees are seen at once, then something terrible is about to happen.
Barguest
Like the Banshee, it once appeared when someone important was going to die. It is also like the Hedley Kow in that it can change its shape. It is generally unlucky to see it.
Bauchan
Sometimes helpful and sometimes playful, the Bauchan might associate itself with a specific individual.
Bean-nighe
Like the Irish banshees, in the Highlands of Scotland these are prophets of death.
Bendith y Mamau
These are very ugly fairies who like to steal mortal children and leave their Changelings in place of them.
Billy Blind
He is a helpful Hobgoblin who is very loyal and helpful to his chosen family.
Black Annis
She was a real charmer in that she was hideously ugly, cannibalistic, and her howls could be heard for miles.
Black Dogs
Stories of black dogs are quite common and most of them are bad. Some black dogs will protect travelers against thieves.
Blue Burches
He was a hobgoblin who played harmless pranks until he was chased into a pond by a parson. He may have become an Each Uisge after that.
Blue-Cap
This is one of the many varieties of mine Brownies but is friendly and a very hard worker.
Blue Men of the Minch
Their colors came from their tattoos and they like to swim out to passing ships to sink them.
Bockles
See Knockers.
Bodach
This is the Brownie found in the Highlands of Scotland.
Bogan
See also Bauchan
Boggart
This is a brownie who has turned to mischief, possibly because he has been teased by the family he has chosen.
Bogies
Delighting in tormenting mortals, bogies can be very dangerous.
See also Unseelie Court.
Bogles
In Scotland, a bogie is generally only dangerous to evil-doers.
Brag
Like the Hedley Kow or the Dunnie, the Brag can change its shape. It generally prefers to appear as a horse as it seems to be able to do the most mischief this way.
Brown Man of the Muirs
He is a dwarf who guards the animals of the forests and is capable of killing a mortal who harms one of 'his' creatures.
Brownie
Brownies are quite willing to work for a family during the night so long as they receive a good meal for their services. However, they may leave if they are criticized.
See also Pixies.
Bucca
He sometimes helped fishermen if he was given a fish and some ale. Mothers also used to warn children about him so there were clearly good ones and bad ones.
Buggane
Pending
Buttery Spirits
Since they cannot eat quality food, Buttery Spirits live only in places where innkeepers are watering the wine and serving sub-standard food. They were very bad news for crooked innkeepers and they were would sometimes leave them in the stable with a feedbag over the head.
Bwbachod
These are the Brownies of Wales.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
The prophet of death is a beautiful woman who died young. If many banshees are seen at once, then something terrible is about to happen.
Barguest
Like the Banshee, it once appeared when someone important was going to die. It is also like the Hedley Kow in that it can change its shape. It is generally unlucky to see it.
Bauchan
Sometimes helpful and sometimes playful, the Bauchan might associate itself with a specific individual.
Bean-nighe
Like the Irish banshees, in the Highlands of Scotland these are prophets of death.
Bendith y Mamau
These are very ugly fairies who like to steal mortal children and leave their Changelings in place of them.
Billy Blind
He is a helpful Hobgoblin who is very loyal and helpful to his chosen family.
Black Annis
She was a real charmer in that she was hideously ugly, cannibalistic, and her howls could be heard for miles.
Black Dogs
Stories of black dogs are quite common and most of them are bad. Some black dogs will protect travelers against thieves.
Blue Burches
He was a hobgoblin who played harmless pranks until he was chased into a pond by a parson. He may have become an Each Uisge after that.
Blue-Cap
This is one of the many varieties of mine Brownies but is friendly and a very hard worker.
Blue Men of the Minch
Their colors came from their tattoos and they like to swim out to passing ships to sink them.
Bockles
See Knockers.
Bodach
This is the Brownie found in the Highlands of Scotland.
Bogan
See also Bauchan
Boggart
This is a brownie who has turned to mischief, possibly because he has been teased by the family he has chosen.
Bogies
Delighting in tormenting mortals, bogies can be very dangerous.
See also Unseelie Court.
Bogles
In Scotland, a bogie is generally only dangerous to evil-doers.
Brag
Like the Hedley Kow or the Dunnie, the Brag can change its shape. It generally prefers to appear as a horse as it seems to be able to do the most mischief this way.
Brown Man of the Muirs
He is a dwarf who guards the animals of the forests and is capable of killing a mortal who harms one of 'his' creatures.
Brownie
Brownies are quite willing to work for a family during the night so long as they receive a good meal for their services. However, they may leave if they are criticized.
See also Pixies.
Bucca
He sometimes helped fishermen if he was given a fish and some ale. Mothers also used to warn children about him so there were clearly good ones and bad ones.
Buggane
Pending
Buttery Spirits
Since they cannot eat quality food, Buttery Spirits live only in places where innkeepers are watering the wine and serving sub-standard food. They were very bad news for crooked innkeepers and they were would sometimes leave them in the stable with a feedbag over the head.
Bwbachod
These are the Brownies of Wales.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Cabyll-Ushtey / Cu Sith
Cabyll-Ushtey
The water-horse of the Isle of Man.
See also the Each Uisge of Scotland and the Aughisky of Ireland.
Cailleach Bheur
She is the spirit of winter and she tends to the forest animals during that season.
See also the Brown Man of the Muirs.
Capelthwaite
He could take any shape he liked but generally appeared as a black dog who liked to help the farmers bring their sheep and cattle in from the fields.
Cauld Lad of Hilton
Half brownie and half ghost, he haunted the Hilton Castle by making a great racket while he cleaned anything that was left dirty over-night in the kitchen.
Changelings
Fairies sometimes stole mortal babies and left changelings in their place.
Clap-Cans
He really doesn't do anything other than clapping his cans and making a great racket.
Cluricane
He was a solitary fairy who was said to hide in a cask so he could move along with the home-owner.
Coblynau
These are the mine goblins of Wales. A miner could follow their sound to be best ore in the mine.
See also the Knockers.
Coleman Gray
An old chap found a small Pixie who was cold, hungry and lost. The fellow nurse the pixie back to health but one day a voice called out to Coleman Gray. With that, the pixie dashed away to his father and never returned.
Crodh Mara
These are the water-cattle of the Highlands of Scotland and will lead an entire herd of mortal cows into a fairy hill if not watched very closely. While not as dangerous, they resemble the Each Uisge.
Cu Sith
A dark-green fairy dog with feet as large as a man's, they were generally used as protection of the fairy house. If released, they could be extremely dangerous.
See also the Black Dogs.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
The water-horse of the Isle of Man.
See also the Each Uisge of Scotland and the Aughisky of Ireland.
Cailleach Bheur
She is the spirit of winter and she tends to the forest animals during that season.
See also the Brown Man of the Muirs.
Capelthwaite
He could take any shape he liked but generally appeared as a black dog who liked to help the farmers bring their sheep and cattle in from the fields.
Cauld Lad of Hilton
Half brownie and half ghost, he haunted the Hilton Castle by making a great racket while he cleaned anything that was left dirty over-night in the kitchen.
Changelings
Fairies sometimes stole mortal babies and left changelings in their place.
Clap-Cans
He really doesn't do anything other than clapping his cans and making a great racket.
Cluricane
He was a solitary fairy who was said to hide in a cask so he could move along with the home-owner.
Coblynau
These are the mine goblins of Wales. A miner could follow their sound to be best ore in the mine.
See also the Knockers.
Coleman Gray
An old chap found a small Pixie who was cold, hungry and lost. The fellow nurse the pixie back to health but one day a voice called out to Coleman Gray. With that, the pixie dashed away to his father and never returned.
Crodh Mara
These are the water-cattle of the Highlands of Scotland and will lead an entire herd of mortal cows into a fairy hill if not watched very closely. While not as dangerous, they resemble the Each Uisge.
Cu Sith
A dark-green fairy dog with feet as large as a man's, they were generally used as protection of the fairy house. If released, they could be extremely dangerous.
See also the Black Dogs.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
cabyll-ushtey,
faeries,
fairies,
history,
katherine briggs,
legends,
mythology,
scotland
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Dando and his Dogs / Dwarfs
Dando and His Dogs
Dando was a corrupt priest who is said to rise up from Hell to ride with his dogs on stormy nights.
Daoine Sidhe
The fairy people of Ireland were once the size of men but got smaller over time.
Devil's Dandy Dogs
Lonely travelers in Cornwall might fall prey to the Wild Hunt. The only defense is to stop running and pray.
Dobby
He is a Hobgoblin who is kind to old men.
Dooinney-Oie
He warns of storms by shouting or blowing a horn.
Doonie
The Doonies are something like the Dunnies of Northumberland but the stories about Doonies all tell of rescue.
Dragons
English dragons are flightless but have poisonous breath. St George's dragon has the wings of a bat and can breathe fire.
Duergar
The evil dwarfs of northern England, hate men and are a great danger to travelers.
Dunnie
He liked to play tricks on people by appearing as a donkey and then disappearing at an amusing moment. It has been more than a century since he was last seen.
Dunters
Some say that Dunters are spirits of creatures sacrificed by the Picts. If the haunting sound made by the Dunters gets louder, it becomes an omen of death.
See also Redcaps.
Dwarfs
The dwarfs of the British Isles generally had specific names (e.g. Knockers)
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Dando was a corrupt priest who is said to rise up from Hell to ride with his dogs on stormy nights.
Daoine Sidhe
The fairy people of Ireland were once the size of men but got smaller over time.
Devil's Dandy Dogs
Lonely travelers in Cornwall might fall prey to the Wild Hunt. The only defense is to stop running and pray.
Dobby
He is a Hobgoblin who is kind to old men.
Dooinney-Oie
He warns of storms by shouting or blowing a horn.
Doonie
The Doonies are something like the Dunnies of Northumberland but the stories about Doonies all tell of rescue.
Dragons
English dragons are flightless but have poisonous breath. St George's dragon has the wings of a bat and can breathe fire.
Duergar
The evil dwarfs of northern England, hate men and are a great danger to travelers.
Dunnie
He liked to play tricks on people by appearing as a donkey and then disappearing at an amusing moment. It has been more than a century since he was last seen.
Dunters
Some say that Dunters are spirits of creatures sacrificed by the Picts. If the haunting sound made by the Dunters gets louder, it becomes an omen of death.
See also Redcaps.
Dwarfs
The dwarfs of the British Isles generally had specific names (e.g. Knockers)
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Scottish Mythology - Each Uisge / Elves
Each Uisge
The Highland water-horse is more dangerous than the Aughisky or the Cabyll-ushtey.
See also Kelpies.
Ellyllon
The elves of Wales are tiny, elegant and helpful to mortals in distress.
Elves
In Scotland, Elves are of human size but the English elves are small fairy people. In either case, one has to be careful with them as they will avenge themselves of any wrongdoing.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Fairies / Foul-Weather
Fairies on the Eastern Green
Smugglers took some time to watch a fairy dance but found themselves under an attack due to this insult. Bad luck followed them for the rest of their lives.
Fairy Animals
As with animals known to humans, fairy animals are wild and domestic.
See also the Each Uisge, the Kelpie and the Cabyll-Ushtey.
Fairy Brides
When a mortal takes a fairy bride, they can only find happiness if she takes him back to Fairyland with her.
Fenodoree
He was banished from Fairyland for dancing with a mortal girl. Nevertheless, he continues to love mortals and he applies his tremendous strength to working in the fields of Manx.
See also Brownie
Ferrishyn
These are the fairy people of Manx.
Finvarra
He is the Fairy King of Ulster and is sometimes called the King of the Dead.
Foul-Weather
A king was building a cathedral and he made a deal with a goblin to complete the work. If the goblin could complete the work before the king could guess his name, then the goblin would take his heart; otherwise he would do it for free. The king guessed the name just as the goblin was putting the last touches on the cathedral.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Smugglers took some time to watch a fairy dance but found themselves under an attack due to this insult. Bad luck followed them for the rest of their lives.
Fairy Animals
As with animals known to humans, fairy animals are wild and domestic.
See also the Each Uisge, the Kelpie and the Cabyll-Ushtey.
Fairy Brides
When a mortal takes a fairy bride, they can only find happiness if she takes him back to Fairyland with her.
Fenodoree
He was banished from Fairyland for dancing with a mortal girl. Nevertheless, he continues to love mortals and he applies his tremendous strength to working in the fields of Manx.
See also Brownie
Ferrishyn
These are the fairy people of Manx.
Finvarra
He is the Fairy King of Ulster and is sometimes called the King of the Dead.
Foul-Weather
A king was building a cathedral and he made a deal with a goblin to complete the work. If the goblin could complete the work before the king could guess his name, then the goblin would take his heart; otherwise he would do it for free. The king guessed the name just as the goblin was putting the last touches on the cathedral.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Gabriel Hounds / Green Children
Gabriel Hounds
See the Devil's Dandy Dogs.
Gathorns
See also Knockers.
Giants
The largest of the Giants were kindly and helpful to mortals.
Goblins
They are small, evil, quite ugly, and malicious toward mortals. On the other hand, the Hobgoblin can be mischievous but rarely hurtful.
Green Children
These children were somehow detached from their parents and had quite a difficult time getting accustomed to human ways. The boy wasted away but the girl lost the green pallor in her skin and took on human ways.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
See the Devil's Dandy Dogs.
Gathorns
See also Knockers.
Giants
The largest of the Giants were kindly and helpful to mortals.
Goblins
They are small, evil, quite ugly, and malicious toward mortals. On the other hand, the Hobgoblin can be mischievous but rarely hurtful.
Green Children
These children were somehow detached from their parents and had quite a difficult time getting accustomed to human ways. The boy wasted away but the girl lost the green pallor in her skin and took on human ways.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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legends,
mythology,
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Habetrot / Hobgoblins
Habetrot
The patron fairy of spinners in the Border Country.
Hedley Kow
While not dangerous, he was a bogey-beast who was not above pulling outrageous practical jokes.
Henkies
To 'henk' is to limp and the Henkies were ugly little Trows of the Shetlands who limped when they walked.
Hobgoblins
Although hobmen like practical jokes as much as anyone in Fairyland, they are very helpful to mortals and behave much the same as Brownies.
See also Goblins.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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shetlands,
spinners,
trows
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Imps
Imps
There is nothing good to say about Imps as they are regarded as offshoots from Satan.
See also Goblins and Bogies.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Kelpies / Knockers
Kelpies
Much like Each Uisge, the Kelpie preferred running water while the Each Uisge preferred the ocean or a loch.
Knockers
Cornish mine spirits made a great deal of noise in their working but it was generally very unlucky to watch them and it was particularly unlucky to make a deal with them and then cheat on it.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Lady of the Lake / Lepracauns
Lady of the Lake
Possibly the most enigmatic 'creature' in all of Fairyland, the Lady of the Lake was first regarded as a water fairy who simply rose storms at sea. She later became entwined in the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, particularly Sir Lancelot.
Lambton Worm
Worms (i.e. flightless dragons) wrapped themselves several times around a wormhill. The story tells us more about what happens to boys who skip church on Sundays than it does about dragons.
See also Dragons.
Lepracaun
Lepracauns are Irish fairies who are said to have amassed great wealth even though they live solitary lives as shoemakers. If one can be caught, he may be forced to yield his riches but, of course, it is very, very difficult to catch one.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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worm
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Mermaids / Muryans
Mermaids
Mermaids looked like beautiful women from the waist up but had the body of a fish from the waist down. The could cause storms and were generally quite dangerous but some were known to be gentle and helpful to mortals.
Merrows
The Mermaids of Ireland were more gentle than those of England and sometimes married mortals.
Mumpoker
See Nursery Bogies.
Muryans
This is the Cornish word for ant. It was believed that fairies became smaller and smaller each time they changed shape until they finally became ants and then disappeared.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
faeries,
fairies,
history,
katherine briggs,
legends,
mermaids,
merrows,
mumpoker,
muryans,
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Nuckelavee / Nursery Bogies
Nuckelavee
This one is a really nasty bit of work. An Orkney sea monster, he looked something like a horribly deformed centaur. He had poisonous breath and would rampage around the countryside killing anything he encountered. The only protection was that he could not cross fresh water or a running stream.
Nursery Bogies
There are many bogies who are specialize in frightening children who do not listen to their mothers.
See also the Awd Goggie.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
bogies,
children,
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fairies,
history,
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mothers,
mythology,
nuckelavee,
nursery,
orkney,
scotland
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Pechs / Puck
Pechs
See also Picts.
Picts
They lived in the Lowlands of Scotland and were said to be about three feet tall. They could build a castle overnight simply by passing the stones from one to the other.
Peg O'Nell
She is a water spirit who claims a new life every seven years because she was sent out on a dark night to fetch some water and fell to her death.
Peg Powler
She is a water demon who inhabits the River Tees.
See also Nursery Bogies.
People of Peace
Like the Daoine Sidhe of Ireland, these are trooping fairies who live under green hills in Middle Earth.
Phouka
If Phouka is treated well, he will remember you and your family for years. If not, he will be more than happy to bestow an unlimited supply of practical jokes.
Piskies
See also Pixies.
Pixies
They are mischievous fairies in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. They are generally very small, very helpful and behave much like Brownies. Also known as Piskies.
See also Seelie Court.
Puck
Puck loves a good joke but is not one to make it hurtful. In this earlier days, Puck is said to have been in-league with the Devil but he became more fun as the years went by.
See also Phouka.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
See also Picts.
Picts
They lived in the Lowlands of Scotland and were said to be about three feet tall. They could build a castle overnight simply by passing the stones from one to the other.
Peg O'Nell
She is a water spirit who claims a new life every seven years because she was sent out on a dark night to fetch some water and fell to her death.
Peg Powler
She is a water demon who inhabits the River Tees.
See also Nursery Bogies.
People of Peace
Like the Daoine Sidhe of Ireland, these are trooping fairies who live under green hills in Middle Earth.
Phouka
If Phouka is treated well, he will remember you and your family for years. If not, he will be more than happy to bestow an unlimited supply of practical jokes.
Piskies
See also Pixies.
Pixies
They are mischievous fairies in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. They are generally very small, very helpful and behave much like Brownies. Also known as Piskies.
See also Seelie Court.
Puck
Puck loves a good joke but is not one to make it hurtful. In this earlier days, Puck is said to have been in-league with the Devil but he became more fun as the years went by.
See also Phouka.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Scottish Mythology - Redcaps / Robin Goodfellow
Redcaps
These are wicked fairies who live in the Border country between England and Scotland. He will dye his cap red with the blood of his victims but he cannot attack if a cross is held up to him.
Roane
These are seals, fairy people who use seal-skins to travel about underwater. They never avenged themselves, even when mortals killed their people.
See also the Selkies and the Merrows.
Robin Goodfellow
The most famous of the Hobgoblins, he was the son of Oberon, King of the Fairies, and a beautiful mortal.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
These are wicked fairies who live in the Border country between England and Scotland. He will dye his cap red with the blood of his victims but he cannot attack if a cross is held up to him.
Roane
These are seals, fairy people who use seal-skins to travel about underwater. They never avenged themselves, even when mortals killed their people.
See also the Selkies and the Merrows.
Robin Goodfellow
The most famous of the Hobgoblins, he was the son of Oberon, King of the Fairies, and a beautiful mortal.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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history,
hobgoblins,
katherine briggs,
legends,
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redcaps,
roane,
robin goodfellow,
scotland
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Seelie Court / Spriggans
Seelie Court
The 'blessed' fairies were in the Seelie Court and traveled in troops, doing good where it was needed and playing jokes on those who deserved them.
See also Unseelie Court.
Selkies
These are the seal-people of Orkney and Scotland. A mortal might marry a Selkie woman if he could hide her seal-skin. See also the Roane.
Shock
This is a bogie-beast who will appear as a horse, a donkey, a large dog or a calf. They are frightening as well as dangerous.
Silky
Brownies are mostly males but Silkies behave just like them and are all females.
Skillywidden
He was a very young fairy who was found by a farmer when he was working in the fields. He resolved to keep him so he could find the entrance to Fairyland but his children helped him to escape. The farmer did not punish his children because he knew it was best for the fairy family to be reunited.
Spriggans
Bodyguards to the fairies, these Bogies were ugly and they were fierce fighters. It is said that they are the ghosts of the Giants who were killed when England was first invaded.
See also the Fairies on the Eastern Green.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
The 'blessed' fairies were in the Seelie Court and traveled in troops, doing good where it was needed and playing jokes on those who deserved them.
See also Unseelie Court.
Selkies
These are the seal-people of Orkney and Scotland. A mortal might marry a Selkie woman if he could hide her seal-skin. See also the Roane.
Shock
This is a bogie-beast who will appear as a horse, a donkey, a large dog or a calf. They are frightening as well as dangerous.
Silky
Brownies are mostly males but Silkies behave just like them and are all females.
Skillywidden
He was a very young fairy who was found by a farmer when he was working in the fields. He resolved to keep him so he could find the entrance to Fairyland but his children helped him to escape. The farmer did not punish his children because he knew it was best for the fairy family to be reunited.
Spriggans
Bodyguards to the fairies, these Bogies were ugly and they were fierce fighters. It is said that they are the ghosts of the Giants who were killed when England was first invaded.
See also the Fairies on the Eastern Green.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
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Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Tankerabogus / Twlweth Teg
Tankerabogus
See Knockers.
Trows
These are like the trolls of Scandinavia but they aren't as malicious. They share a fear of the sun and must hide if trapped above-ground during daylight hours.
Tylweth Teg
These are the fairy people of Wales. Mortals might visit Fairyland and even take a fairy bride but time passes on a different scale there and one might emerge to find that centuries have passed.
See also Bendith y Mamau.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
See Knockers.
Trows
These are like the trolls of Scandinavia but they aren't as malicious. They share a fear of the sun and must hide if trapped above-ground during daylight hours.
Tylweth Teg
These are the fairy people of Wales. Mortals might visit Fairyland and even take a fairy bride but time passes on a different scale there and one might emerge to find that centuries have passed.
See also Bendith y Mamau.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
bendith y mamau,
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Scottish Mythology - Unseelie Court / Urisks
Unseelie Court
This is the Scottish name for the fairies who torment and and hurt mortals. See Seelie Court for the good fairies of Scotland. See also Duergars, Nuckelavee, and Redcaps.
Urisks
They are Scottish brownies who look much like satyrs and live generally solitary lives. They sometimes get lonesome for company and will follow travelers but they mean no harm.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
This is the Scottish name for the fairies who torment and and hurt mortals. See Seelie Court for the good fairies of Scotland. See also Duergars, Nuckelavee, and Redcaps.
Urisks
They are Scottish brownies who look much like satyrs and live generally solitary lives. They sometimes get lonesome for company and will follow travelers but they mean no harm.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
faeries,
fairies,
history,
katherine briggs,
legends,
mythology,
scotland,
unseelie court,
urisks
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
Scottish Mythology - Wild Edric
Wild Edric
He lived during the time of William the Conqueror and he took a fairy bride. When she agreed to marry him, she said that he must never grudge her time spent with her sisters. He honored that request for many years but one day slipped when he couldn't find her after a hunt. As a result, she disappeared, just as she said she would but it is said that they joined again after he died and that they still ride through the forests on the Welsh border.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
He lived during the time of William the Conqueror and he took a fairy bride. When she agreed to marry him, she said that he must never grudge her time spent with her sisters. He honored that request for many years but one day slipped when he couldn't find her after a hunt. As a result, she disappeared, just as she said she would but it is said that they joined again after he died and that they still ride through the forests on the Welsh border.
Reference: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees & Boggarts. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Katherine Briggs.
Labels:
faeries,
fairies,
history,
katherine briggs,
legends,
mythology,
scotland,
wild edric
Location:
Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
History of the Royal Lineage in Scotland
The History of the Royal Lineage of Scotland
| -800 | Ancients | Celts move into England
Contrary to the traditional idea that Britain originally possessed a 'Celtic' uniformity which first Roman, then Saxon and other invaders disrupted, in reality Britain has always been home to multiple peoples; and while its population has shown strong biological continuity over millennia, the identities the islanders have chosen to adopt have undergone some remarkable changes, due to contacts and conflicts across the seas, not least as the result of episodic, but often very modest, arrivals of newcomers. (BBC) |
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| 60 | Iceni Revolt | 60-61 | Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni, revolts
After her husband died, the Romans not only took his property but raped his daughters. Queen Boudicca led a revolt that burned multiple towns including London. Her forces were massacred by the Romans and she is said to have taken poison rather than die at their hands. |
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| 400 | Early History | 383-436 | Romans leave England
The Roman conquest, which started in AD 43, illustrates the profound cultural and political impact that small numbers of people can have, for the Romans did not colonise the island to any significant degree. To a population of around three million, their army, administration, and carpet-baggers added only a few per cent. The future Scotland remained beyond Roman government, although the nearby presence of the empire had major effects. (BBC) |
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| 400-600 | Angles, Saxons, Jutes invade from Germany
As the Roman hold on Britain got progressively weaker, England was subject to a fresh influx of settlers from the area of modern Germany. These settlers, tribes of Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians, may have first come to England as mercenaries in the Roman army. |
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| 400-613 | Celts pushed into Scotland and Wales
When the Romans left Britain, there was a renaissance of Celtic culture. The most famous of the Celtic princes was Vortigern, who ruled over eastern Britain. To fight against the Pictish invasions, he sent across the channel to get help from the Saxons, a Germanic tribe that had begun emigrating into western Europe in the fifth century. The Saxon mercenaries, however, grew in number as more and more Saxons came to Britain. Whether or not the story of Vortigern is true, Britain fell prey to the same Germanic emigrations and invasions that spread across Gaul, Spain, and Italy. The Saxon emigration began in eastern England until they spread entirely across lowland England. The mountainous areas to the west (Wales) and the north (Scotland), however, remained Celtic, as did Ireland. By the end of the fifth century AD, only Wales, Scotland, and Ireland remained of the great Celtic tribal kingdoms that had dominated the face of Europe. |
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| 626 | Edwin of Northumbria founds Edinburgh
Saint Edwin (alternately Eadwine or Aeduini) (c. 586 to October 12, 632/633) was the King of Deira and Bernicia - which would later become known as Northumbria - from about 616 until his death. He converted to Christianity and was baptised in 627; after he fell at the Battle of Hatfield Chase, he was venerated as a saint. |
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| 560 | The Four Kingdoms | The Four Kingdoms of Scotland were:
In 685, in the Battle of Nechtansmere, the Picts defeat the Northumbrians. The Battle of Nechtansmere took place in Dunnichen, a small village located near the town of Forfar, Angus on May 20th, 685 AD. The participants were the Angles and the Picts in what was a simple battle over territory. The consequences, however, would be much more dramatic, and effect the history of England and Scotland to a great degree over the next millennia and a half. |
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| 574 | Aidanus | Son of Gabran | Father of King Arthur of Camelot
Crowned King of Dalraida by Saint Columba on Iona in 574, he died in 606. |
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| 607 | Cinead Cerr | King of Dalraida
Killed in battle. |
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| 608 | Arthurius | Son of Aidanus | King Arthur of Camelot
His legends may well have been written in more different ways than any ruler in history. He is thought to have died in battle in 632. |
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| 632 | Domnall Breac | King of Dalraida
Killed in battle at Strathcarron in 642. |
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| 646 | Fearchar Fada | Chief of the clan Baedan | ||
| 664 | Malduinus | |||
| 684 | Eugenius | King of the Strathclyde Scots He killed Domnall Breac in battle in 642. |
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| 697 | Ainbhceallach | Son of Fearchar Fada | Killed by Sealbhach, his brother, in 724 | |
| 732 | Muredach | May have been King of Dalraida for a time | ||
| 767 | Sealbhach | Son of Fearchar Fada | Killed his brother, Ainbhceallach, in 724. | |
| 787 | First Viking raids begin
The three kingdoms of Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex, not only were competing between themselves, but they were also under sustained attack from Viking raids. The Viking incursions culminated with a "Great Army" landing in East Anglia in 865 AD. It made wide territorial gains, and by 875 the kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria had succumbed. Only Wessex remained as Anglo Saxon. The Vikings attacked Wessex in 878, and the Saxon king, Alfred, had to flee to the Somerset marshes. However he was able to regroup and counter attack. His efforts and those later of his son and grandsons, gradually pushed the Vikings northwards and eventually into the sea. |
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| 843 | Scots defeat Picts
Militarily, the Picts appear well organized and equipped. They outnumbered the Scots by more than nine to one and with such organization it is baffling how they could have been defeated in four centuries. |
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| 843 | Kenneth MacAlpin | The first King of Scotland
There is some dispute as to whether Kenneth MacAlpin was ever actually a King of Scotland. His place in history comes from uniting the Scots and the Picts and this came after defeating the Picts in battle in 843. The key point is that there were no further battles after that. However, given that the Pictish culture quickly disappeared after the unification, it's arguable that the battle didn't so much unify Scotland as it reserved Scotland exclusively for the Scots. (The second reference is fairly heavily-laden with hyperbole but it is true that the Pictish culture disappeared in this period and a case is made that Kenneth MacAlpin was the reason for that.) |
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| 859 | Donald I | Brother of Kenneth | ||
| 863 | Constantine I | Son of Kenneth | 877 | Constantine I is killed in a battle with the Danes. |
| 877 | Aedh | Son of Kenneth | ||
| 878 | Eocha | Grandson of Kenneth | ||
| 889 | Donald II | Son of Constantine I | Donald II took the throne of Scotland in battle as an act of revenge. King Giric of Scotland (who ruled jointly with Donald II's predecessor, Eochaid) had murdered Donald II's uncle, Aedh, in 878. Upon Giric's death, Donald II expelled Eochaid from the country, thereby taking rulership of Scotland for himself. | |
| 900 | Constantine II | Son of Aedh | His reign is the third longest in Scottish history, exceeded only by James VI and William the Lion. The Battle of Brunanbuh takes place in 937. Constantine II and the Danes are defeated by Aethelstan of England. |
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| 943 | Malcolm I | Son of Donald II | 950 | Malcolm I, the son of Donald II of Scotland, became the King of Scotland in 943 after his cousin King Constantine II of Scotland abdicated and became a monk. Malcolm I was a prince of great abilities and prudence, and Edmund I of England (939–946) courted his alliance by ceding Cumbria, then consisting of Cumberland and part of Westmorland, to him in the year 945, on condition that he would defend that northern county, and become an ally of Edmund I. This required Scotland to send military support if England was attacked by either the Danes of Northumbria or the Norwegians of Ireland. The alliance between England and Scotland remained after the death of both Kings. |
| 954 | Indulf | Son of Constantine II | 959 | Indulf left one lasting contribution beyond his battles with the Norsemen. His father, Constantine II, fleeing before Athelstan, had abandoned the Lothians to the English. In a decisive victory over Northumbria, Indulf recaptured the fortress in Edinburgh, Dun Eden. |
| 962 | Dubh (Duff) | Son of Malcolm I | 967 | Dubh is murdered. |
| 967 | Cuilean | Son of Indulf | ||
| 971 | Kenneth II | Son of Dubh | 979 | Little is known of Kenneth II but it is said he was killed by some act of treachery. |
| 995 | Constantine III | Son of Cuilean | 997 | Constantine III is murdered |
| 997 | Kenneth III | Son of Dubh | 1005 | Kenneth III is killed in a civil war. |
| 1005 | Malcolm II | Son of Kenneth II | 1013 | The Danes control England The Battle of Carham, in which Malcolm II is victorious against a large army of English and Vikings, united Scotland and Lothian. Shortly after that, Strathclyde joined. |
| 1018 | The Unification of Scotland is complete | |||
| 1034 | Duncan I | Grandson of Malcolm II | 1040 | Duncan I invades England but accomplishes nothing and is killed in civil strife shortly afterward. |
| 1040 | Macbeth | Cousin of Duncan I | 1050 | The Normans penetrate England |
| 1057 | Macbeth is killed in the Battle of Lumphanan by Malcolm, son of Duncan I. As king, Malcolm becomes Malcolm III. | |||
| 1057 | Malcolm III | Son of Duncan I | 1070 | William the Conqueror (crowned William I in 1066) invades Scotland, compelling Malcolm III to swear allegiance. |
| 1093 | Malcolm invades England but loses the battle and his life. | |||
| 1093 | Donald II (Donald Bane) | Son of Duncan I | 1094 | Donald Bane is first driven out by Duncan. Duncan is killed shortly later and Donald Bane returns. Donald Bane is driven out again by Edgar. |
| 1094 | Duncan II | Son of Malcolm III | 1094 | Duncan II is killed a few months after driving out Donald Bane. |
| 1094 | Donald II (Donald Bane) | Son of Duncan I | 1096 | The First Crusade begins |
| 1097 | Edgar | Half-brother of Duncan II | 1099 | Crusaders take Jerusalem |
| 1107 | Alexander I | Brother of Edgar | ||
| 1124 | David I | Brother of Alexander I | 1138 | David I invades England but is defeated.
This period is interesting because it saw strong Norman families moving into Scotland. Robert the Bruce (de Brus) will play a prominent role in the future history of Scotland. |
| 1145 | The Second Crusade begins. | |||
| 1147 | The Second Crusade fails in Asia Minor. | |||
| 1154 | Malcolm IV | Grandson of David I | ||
| 1165 | William the Lyon | Brother of Malcolm IV | 1173 | After being defeated and captured in battle, William the Lyon yields the independence of Scotland. |
| 1189 | Richard I of England restores the independence of Scotland in exchange for cash to support the Third Crusade. | |||
| 1189 | The Third Crusade begins | |||
| 1202 | The Fourth Crusade begins | |||
| 1209 | John invades Scotland | |||
| 1212 | The Children's Crusade begins | |||
| 1214 | Alexander II | Son of William the Lyon | 1228 | The Sixth Crusade begins |
| 1240 | Border fixed between Scotland and England | |||
| 1248 | The Seventh Crusade begins | |||
| 1249 | Alexander III | Son of Alexander II | 1274 | Edward I of England |
| 1286 | Margaret | Granddaughter of Alexander III | Margeret or the Maid of Norway is only four when she rises to the throne but dies soon after. | |
| 1292 | John Balliol | Great-great-great-grandson of David I | The background story is that John Balliol was chosen as King of Scotland by Edward of England. Edward was given the right to choose because the lords of Scotland could not decide among themselves. Balliol was a weak ruler who did whatever Edward wanted until requested to help in an invasion of France. Balliol instead signed a treaty with France. Edward invaded Scotland shortly thereafter and took over control. | |
| 1295 | Scotland signs a treaty with France, beginning the "Auld Alliance." | |||
| 1296 | Edward I of England defeats Balliol. He presented little resistance to the English as he was not able to unite his people and England won easily. Scottish nobles were divided in their loyalties because of their land ownership in Scotland and England. Balliol's reign ended in disgrace when he submitted himself as a vassal to a representative of Edward 1 of England. Edward took to London the Stone of Scone or Stone of Destiny, on which Scottish Kings were crowned, and it remains there to this day. Edward also made those who had land in Scotland sign a list of names to show that they recognized him as their king. If they refused their lands were confiscated. This list of names is called "The Ragman's Roll" and still exists. It has about two thousand names one of which is Robert Bruce. |
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| 1297 | The Scots under William Wallace defeat the English at Stirling Bridge
Any notion Edward I may have had regarding subjugation of the Scots disappeared quickly as resistance from Wallace began almost as soon as Edward returned to England. |
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| 1298 | William Wallace is defeated at Falkirk | |||
| 1300 | Edward I invades Scotland | |||
| 1305 | William Wallace captured and executed | |||
| 1306 | Robert I | Robert I (Robert the Bruce) is at first driven into hiding because Scotland is still occupied by Edward's forces. The Stuart Kings were direct descendants of King Robert the Bruce. So is the present Royal Family, who are descended from the daughter of King James V1 of Scotland (James 1 of England). |
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| 1307 | The drive to force the English out of Scotland culminates in the siege of Stirling Castle. The Scots route the English army at the Battle of Bannockburn. | |||
| 1328 | The English recognize Scottish independence through the Treaty of Edinburgh. | |||
| 1329 | David II | Son of Robert I | ||
| 1332 | Edward Balliol | 1332 | Edward Balliol, son of John Balliol, invades Scotland and deposes David II. | |
| 1334 | David II returns to reclaim the crown. | |||
| 1341 | David II | Son of Robert I | 1346 | David II assists France against the English but is captured and taken to the Tower of London. |
| 1355 | In 1355, the Scots defeat the English at Nesbit | |||
| 1371 | Robert II | Nephew of David II | 1385 | The Anglo-Scot war is renewed |
| 1388 | The Scots defeat the English at the Battle of Otterburn. | |||
| 1390 | Robert III | Son of Robert II | Robert III dies when he is told his son, James I, has been captured by pirates between France and Scotland. | |
| 1406 | James I | Son of Robert III | 1406 | James I imprisoned by English and learns of his succession while confined in the Tower of London. It will be eighteen years before he is released. |
| 1424 | The English release James I to return to Scotland. | |||
| 1436 | The Scots defeat the English near Berwick. | |||
| 1437 | James I is assassinated. | |||
| 1437 | James II | Son of James I | 1438 | Nine years truce with England |
| 1448 | The Anglo-Scot war is renewed. | |||
| 1460 | James II is killed when a cannon explodes. | |||
| 1460 | James III | Son of James II | 1464 | Peace between Scotland and England |
| 1488 | James IV | Son of James III | 1491 | The Truce of Coldstream between Scotland and England |
| 1496 | James IV invades Northumberland | |||
| 1503 | James IV marries Margaret, daughter of Henry VII | |||
| 1513 | James V | Infant son of James IV | James V is only an infant when he rises to the throne and it will be fifteen years before he can rule for himself. | |
| 1542 | Mary, Queen of Scots | Daughter of James V | 1548 | Mary is betrothed to Dauphin |
| 1558 | Mary, Queen of Scots, marries the Dauphin | |||
| 1578 | Mary, Queen of Scots, is imprisoned by Elizabeth I | |||
| 1578 | James VI | Son of Mary | 1586 | The focus of a long series of Roman Catholic plots against Elizabeth, culminating in the Babington Plot to assassinate the English queen, led to Elizabeth's ministers demanding Mary's execution: 'so long as there is life in her, there is hope; so as they live in hope, we live in fear'. Mary was finally executed at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire on 8 February 1587, at the age of 44. She was buried in Peterborough Cathedral. |
| 1603 | James VI | Son of Mary | Succeeds Elizabeth I as James I of England, Scotland and Ireland. | |
| 1612 | James VI had Mary's body exhumed and placed in the vault of King Henry VII's Chapel in Westminster Abbey. | |||
| 1625 | Charles I | Son of James VI | 1633 | Charles I crowned King of Scotland |
| 1649 | Charles II | Son of Charles I | 1649 | England declared a Commonwealth |
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