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> From: stephen buckley [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > > In an unpublished MA dissertation for the University of Auckland (1990), > 'The Kenelm Legend in Context: A Study in the Hagiography of > Eleventh-Century England', Paul A. Hayward analyses the two early versions > of the legend for hints of pre-Christian motifs. He looks at trees (though > he decides the 'thorn' was a blackthorn -- it's more likely hawthorn -- > and > misses the ash); > A.T. Lucas did a study of standing trees in Ireland that were considered "holy" or "sacred" historically and found that they included a number of species. The exact tree varies with locale. For example, tress that in some parts of Ireland are deemed lucky, are considered UNlucky in others. Most likely, the location of the tree--such as proximity to a holy well or a site that was traditionally considered holy. The persistent motif *seems* to be well or spring, large tree standing apart from others, and presence of a megalitihic stone, hill, or mound. > the white cow; > The white cow is, apparently, a motif inherited from IE roots, since it is found in so many cultures. The name of one of the more primal goddesses in Irish myth--Boand, the River Boyne--comes from a root meaning "white cow." This name for the Boyne--Bovind--is on a map by Ptolemy, iirc. White cows are the source of pure food in Irish myth and hagiography. Women destined for sainthood can eat only the food that comes from a white cow. > and suggestions of Anglo-Saxon > earth-worship, including the habit of 'collecting earth from especially > fertile places for use in healing' (cf Oswald, Cuthbert, etc.). He > concludes: 'The cumulative evidence . . . strongly suggests that the monks > were attempting to convert a major pre-Christian religious centre.' > Elsewhere, I believe, Hayward points out that all four of the English > cephalophores (Kenelm, Juthwara, Freomund and Osyth) are associated in > their > first appearance with both trees and wells. (Anyone know about Decuman? He > definitely has a well.) Unfortunately, the thesis is very hard to consult > in > the UK, I don't think this section is in print, and I'm wary of copyright > problems in quoting further from a thesis. Might be possible, I suppose, > to > contact Paul Hayward, perhaps through the Medieval Religion list? > > Can we accept Paul Hayward's suggestion? Interesting that it's based on > Anglo-Saxon paganism. > I would really like to see why Hayward believes that it comes from A-S paganism, since all these motifs are major elements in pre-Christian Celtic stuff in Ireland and Gaul. > The association of trees and wells with cephalophoric saints in Europe > (mainly Italy and France) from 8th C is discussed by A. Simonetti in > 'Santi > cefalofori altomedievali', 'Studi Medievali', 28 (1987), 67-121, but as > far > as I know it hasn't been published in English. > For Ireland, the association of wells, trees, and mounds in discussed in _Crossing the Circle at the Holy Wells of Ireland_ by Brenneman & Brenneman, Francine Nicholson %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%