I began to discover different words for “hill” as I travelled through England and Scotland. In Canada, places are often named after people or after towns in the old country. In Britain, place-names often reflect the landscape. If, in the days of the Celts and Anglo-Saxons, one’s village was built near a hill, it was … Continue reading Tor, Brae, How, & Other Hill-ish Words
Tag: Anglo-Saxon
Newest Additions to My Library (and Fall Academic Plans)
I am a story-lover. Perhaps that is obvious. I am also a bibliophile. Perhaps that also is obvious. But I am a slow, discerning bibliophile. Perhaps that is not obvious. My library grows one book at a time. Rarely will you see me emerge from a bookshop with more than two under my arm. But … Continue reading Newest Additions to My Library (and Fall Academic Plans)
Sutton Hoo Artifacts in the British Museum
I am returned at last from a marvelous sixteen days in London and the Scottish highlands. While in London I made sure to re-visit the British Museum and see again the Sutton Hoo artifacts with fresh (and more educated) eyes. I took some pictures for you and learned several things of interest. The photos were … Continue reading Sutton Hoo Artifacts in the British Museum
A Glossary for Howard Pyle
Wordstapas registration for the fall is now open! You can read all the details by visiting the main Wordstapas page in the header, or by clicking here. If you feel inspired to share the news on your blog or social media, you can right click and select “Save image as” on the graphic below. ~*~ … Continue reading A Glossary for Howard Pyle
The Elegies of the Exeter Book
Welcome to an (slightly) updated Remembered Lore! It was time for a refresh. I have revised the About page and made a couple adjustments to the sidebar. More minor tweaks will be coming. The Wordstapas will get a new page as well in a couple weeks in preparation for the Fall semester---I’ll let you know … Continue reading The Elegies of the Exeter Book
“Influence”: Tolkien’s Guide to Non-Plagiarism
In glancing over the posts I have published over the last five months, it appears I have accidentally written a series on specific elements of mythology that Tolkien incorporated into his work. No doubt there will be more of these in future (the material is vast), but I have paused to articulate how he manages … Continue reading “Influence”: Tolkien’s Guide to Non-Plagiarism
Tolkien & The Wanderer
Back in November I shared the “Lament for the Rohirrim,” by J.R.R. Tolkien on Remembrance Day. Tolkien was a gifted poet, but because much of his poetry as we know it is contained in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it tends to be overshadowed by his substantial prose. However, a decade spent … Continue reading Tolkien & The Wanderer
Eärendil the Sky-Mariner
The Wordstapas are currently reading The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien. In the latest meeting we spoke briefly of Eärendil the Mariner, and his origin in the Old English poem Christ. As we had little time left in the meeting to discuss this at length, and lack of resources at hand, I have taken the opportunity … Continue reading Eärendil the Sky-Mariner
Why “The Wordstapas”?
It was in October 2021 that I announced the creation of The Tolkien Club. At that time I expressed my hesitation to name the society “The Tolkien Club,” for I knew we would not be reading much of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, but rather focusing on ancient mythology (albeit of the kind that Tolkien read). So … Continue reading Why “The Wordstapas”?
Some Parallels Pertaining to Ravens (and Other Beasts of Battle)
Ravens appear in several places across western mythology. They are present in folklore, such as the tale of The Seven Ravens, and in Greek myth, where they are associated with Apollo. Ravens are prominent symbols in Norse and Germanic mythology and in Anglo-Saxon poetry, and J.R.R. Tolkien uses them for similar purposes in The Hobbit. … Continue reading Some Parallels Pertaining to Ravens (and Other Beasts of Battle)
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