Overview

In tenth- and 11th-century England, Anglo-Saxon Christians retained an old folk belief in elves as extremely dangerous creatures capable of harming unwary humans. To ward off the afflictions caused by these invisible beings, Christian priests modified traditional elf charms by adding liturgical chants to herbal remedies. In this text Karen Jolly traces this cultural intermingling of Christian liturgy and indigenous Germanic customs and argues that elf charms and similar practices represent the successful Christianization of native folklore. Jolly describes a dual process of conversion in which Anglo-Saxon culture became Christianized but at the same time left its own distinct imprint on Christianity. Illuminating the creative aspects of this dynamic relationship, she identifies liturgical folk medicine as a middle ground between popular and elite, pagan and Christian, magic and miracle. Her analysis, drawing on the model of popular religion to redefine folklore and magic, reveals the richness and diversity of late Saxon Christianity.

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9780807822623

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Reviews

""Jolly's erudite and lively explication of the charms of elves provides unique and valuable insights into popular culture in late Saxon England."" -- Speculum ""This interesting work convincingly challenges previous treatments of the subject."" -- Times Literary Supplement

Author Information

Karen Louise Jolly is associate professor of history and a member of the associate graduate faculty at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.

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