Aug 14
A Time To Knit
I am delighted to announce that I have finally finished publishing the A Time To Knit ebook. The print run is also currently ongoing and I should get the softcover books early next week, after which it will be available from baa ram ewe, here.
The final two patterns I added to the book were Anwen (the cabled coat that features on the cover) and April (a short-sleeved jumper/sweater with a stranded circular yoke). As I write this post the coat is currently at Number 3 in Ravelry’s ‘Hot Right Now’, and is proving very popular.
Although as a full-length hooded coat Anwen uses a lot of yarn, it is a relatively economical knit in the yarn I used for the sample, Artesano Aran. This is a lovely blend of alpaca and wool, making super-warm garments. Because it is so reasonably priced, it only costs approximately £120 to knit Anwen in average sizes with this yarn. This compares very favourably with ready-to-wear coat prices, yet you get something in much nicer fibre than most coats.
Yet, one lucky person will get the yarn to knit Anwen for free! Artesano have most kindly offered the yarn for one of my blog readers to knit their own Anwen. So, I have devised the following competition for this yarn and a free copy of the A Time To Knit softcover book:
Anwen is a Celtic name, chosen to reflect the Celtic cables that the coat features. It means ‘fair one’. To enter this competition please ‘comment’ telling me a little bit about another Celtic character from either British history or a Celtic folk tale. To be fair, your character must be different to those given by other competitors whose comments have appeared before you reply. I will publish all comments as quickly as possible (sleep permitting!). The competition closes next Tuesday at 12pm British Summertime, after which I will conduct a draw with all the entries to randomly select the winner.
Anwen in Artesano Aran ‘Nightfall’:
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August 14th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
I like Epona — Celtic Goddess associated with the horse and sometimes depicted as a white mare. The white horse of Uffington is said to represent Epona and couples used to stand in in Epona’s eye to be handfasted.
One of the few Celtic deities to be adopted by the Romans — also associated with springs & fertility but I’m not sure if that is original or added on by the Romans.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Anwen is lovely!!!
How about Rigantona or as she was later known, Rhiannon? She rides a white horse and is accused falsely of killing her infant son.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
I wish you great luck with your book!
August 14th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
I adore this pattern!
I have a friend from Ireland named Brid, whom I haven’t seen in thirty years. Because of her I am always drawn to St. Bridget, one of the patron saints of Ireland. She is “one of the few saints who stands on the boundary between pagan mythology, Druidism and Christian spirituality.” Her feast day is celebrated as Imbolc, which essentially marks the transition from winter to spring and the time of new growth. I hope this qualifies for entry into your contest.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
“Nemhain” was another name for “the Morrigan” a battle goddess of the ancient Celts in ancient Ireland
August 14th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Ooh, I absolutely adore your Anwen design! I’d love Love LOVE to make one for myself
The first one that comes to my mind is the Grogoch, a half-human, half-fairy being very closely related to the Brownie. He usually looks like an old (human) man but is short like a small child, and has red hair and/or fur. Unlike most other fairies he’s very kind, good natured, generous and quite sociable towards humans. He enjoys helping out with domestic chores, and is sometimes almost too helpful… bothering people by his always eager attempts at make himself useful. He can make himself invisible at will, and typically doesn’t ask for any kind of payment other than honest gratitude. One thing he can’t stand is human laziness, so don’t be surprised if he wakes you up in the morning when you’re trying to have a late lie-in!
Best of luck with your book release!
August 14th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
My namesake Deirdre was a woman who fell in love with a man she wasn’t supposed to and had to leave Ireland for several years to be with Naoise, her man. Our name is often said to translate as Sorrowful.
August 14th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
It’s a gorgeous pattern!
I’m going to pick Blodeuwedd, whose story is the basis for one of my favourite books, Alan Garner’s The Owl Service. She was created out of flowers to marry a man who was cursed never to have a human wife, but then she had an affair with another man and conspired with him to kill her husband (no mean feat as he could only be killed at dusk, wrapped in a net with one foot on a cauldron and one on a goat and with a spear forged for a year during the hours when everyone was at mass) and was turned into an owl, hated and harrassed by all the other birds, as punishment.
August 14th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
I love the stories of pagan Ireland, including that of Deirdre. It was prophesied before her birth that her beauty would spill the blood of the nation, so she was hidden away with a nurse to bring her up.
King Conor visited her and fell in love with her, but he was an old man and Deirdre didn’t want to marry him. She fell in love with a warrior called Naoise and they fled with his two brothers, Ardan and Ainle. They were happy for a while but King Conor sent people to pursue her and eventually a battle was fought for her and all three brothers were slain. Deirdre died from a broken heart.
(Your patterns are beautiful, Anwen made me think of this story)
August 14th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Branwen is a character who features prominently in the Mabinogi, a collection of Welsh myths (I highly recommend it, it’s a great read). Her marriage to the king of Ireland was meant to bring about peace, but instead starts a war!
Beautiful pattern. Thanks for the chance to win some gorgeous yarn!
August 14th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Mebh was queen of Connacht. Among other things, she instigated the cattle raid of Cooley to steal a prize bull. She’s not entirely an admirable figure since like so many mythological figures she does her fair share of killing and stealing, but I like that she’s a strong female figure.
August 15th, 2012 at 12:52 am
Sgathaich is known as a Warrior Queen on the Isle of Shadows. She was said to have trained the warrior Cu Chulainn everything that he knew.
I love the premise of this drawing, it’s a nice way to make it unique.
August 16th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
I love Anwen its so beautiful. What a fantastic prize you are offering!
There is a Breton Celtic legend about Korrigans; shape shifting sirens who seduce men and lure them to their death and kidnap children and replace them with changeling. The legend was immortalised in a poem called Ar-Rannou which has a line which could inspire a knitwear piece:
“who dance, with flowers in their hair,
and robes of white wool,
around the fountain,
by the light of the full moon.”
August 16th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Boudicca –Queen of the Iceni, she fought those evil Romans and gave them a run for their money. When she knew she could not win she drank poison to avoid being tortured and killed by the Romans.
Great horrible histories song too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LhT7rCC6O8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
August 16th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
My Grandson has a great name — though some would disagree! He is called Aaron a Celtic Irish name I love it and him. Some have commented that his parents took the easy option due to the fact that Aaron is the first boys name to be mentioned in all children naming books.
August 16th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Finn: Fair, blond. In legend, Finn mac Cool was a great hunter/warrior whose hair turned prematurely white, leading to the name Finn. Other variants of the name include Fionn, Fynn, Fionan, Finnbar, and Finnobar.
August 16th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
I love Brietta meaning strong. I have two boys so unfortunately couldn’t use this but settled for Ethan which is the same meaning. I could have chosed Brian, I suppose but it didn’t seem quite as appealing!
August 16th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Lots of lovely names but is there any more romantic name than Isolde? Perhaps only Julia can compete with this! The name could also be Essylt or Iseult and means ‘beautiful, fair’.
August 16th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
I love the name Lowen it translates as ‘Happy’
the knitted coat looks beautiful
August 16th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
I like the story of Niamh a princess from the magical realm of Tir na nOg. A mortal man, Oisin fell in love with her and she took him back to Tir na nOg. After three years he wanted to go home and visit his family and friends, but didn’t know that time was different in Tir na nOg and three hundred years had passed in Ireland. When he got to Ireland he found that his family were all dead, and when he stepped off his horse he instantly became a very old man himself.
The Anwen coat is just gorgeous!
August 16th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Morrígan was a tripartite battle goddess of the Celts of Ancient Ireland. She was also the Goddess of War, Life and Death, and therefore had a habit of appearing to the great heroes when their life was in danger. She could also change her shape at will.
Similarly, this name is used in Japanese games to reflect strong yet beautiful long-haired female warriors.
August 17th, 2012 at 1:05 am
I am a big fan of all mythology, however in Celtic mythology the Morrigan fascinates me
August 17th, 2012 at 4:44 am
I like the name Boudica — Boadicea — the warrior queen. She led her tribe — iceni to an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.
August 17th, 2012 at 5:45 am
Caoimhe this means gentle one __ I am sure that being wrapped up in this stylish coat would feel like the warm comfirting hug from a gentle one, I love it and would love to make it.
August 17th, 2012 at 7:04 am
my favourite is Morgan as in the legends of King Arthur & my cousin’s daughter’s name
August 17th, 2012 at 8:51 am
I like the name Morwenna which is quite popular here in Cornwall and means ‘Wave of the sea’
August 17th, 2012 at 9:10 am
What a beautiful coat, and a lovely colour to show off the design. Thanks to you and to Artesano for a lovely prize.
The name I have chosen is Taliesin as it features in the work of one of my favourite authors, Stephen Lawhead. It is usually associated with Taliesin the Bard, as there are accounts of poetry written by him (although bards didn’t usually write down their lyrics — it appears others may have written it and published it under that name?) I think the literal meaning of Taliesin is ‘Shining Brow’ — perhaps he was a balding bard?!?
August 17th, 2012 at 11:58 am
I like Aoife.
Sadly, not a pretty story to go with the pretty name! The second wife of King Lir, Aoife lured the four children of his first wife to a lake and turned them into swans. After 900 years they returned to human form but by then everyone they knew had died.
Aoife was punished by being turned into a crow and forced to spend eternity in that form.
August 17th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Ic I had known then what I know now I’d have called my son Drystan, a Celtic name meaning The Noisy One
August 17th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
My favourite Celtic name is my own surname, but not because I am egotistical, oh no. MacDougall apparently means “Black Viking” or “Dark Visitor” which always struck me as pretty cool when I was growing up. My Father recently found out that his Dad (my Grandad) changed the spelling of our surname from McDougall to MacDougall, seemingly on a whim, and we do not know why!
August 17th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
How about Olwen, daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden, from the tale of Culhwch and Olwen? Apparently clover grew wherever she walked.(Looking at my lawn, she might have dropped round recently!)
August 17th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
branwen the celtic goddess of love and beauty,just like the stunning designs of anwen what an adorable patternx
August 17th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
It’s an old fashioned name now, but I love the name Enid. Apparently it means a pure soul, what more could a person want to be?!
August 17th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
CARTIMANDUA.
Queen of West Yorkshire.. I just love the thought of Yorkshire having a Queen..and her name reminds me of mine!
August 17th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
I like Bridget, one of the patron saints of Ireland.
August 18th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
I love the name ‘Elvina’ feminine form of ‘Elvin’ as in elf or magical being. Elvina is the 14-year-old granddaughter of Rashi, the famous 11th-century French Bible and Talmud commentator.
August 18th, 2012 at 11:28 pm
There are some truly beautiful Celtic names, but I have to laugh at Vercingetorix — what a mouthful! It means “king over warriors” — but it probably won’t be featured on any Top Baby Names list any time soon!
August 19th, 2012 at 1:52 am
Seren — (SER-en) Welsh word for “star”. Sirona, from the same Celtic root, was an ancient Gaulish goddess of hot springs.
August 19th, 2012 at 6:27 am
Isolde, the most tragic heroine in Irish history.
August 19th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
What tremendous entries — such interesting answers. My own favourite character is Áine, who is the goddess of summer and of wealth — two things that have been sorely missing for many of us this year!
August 19th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Good luck with the book and I love the coat — gorgeous. I like the name Andraste — she was a warrior goddess — a goddess of victory, ravens and battles. Boudicca was said to have invoked Andraste before her battle with the Romans.
August 19th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Fionn — a name for a boy or girl — meaning fair or white. Such a gentle name
August 19th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
We gave our son a celtic name. He is called Cael. I wanted to pick something quite unusual as I have a very common name.
August 20th, 2012 at 9:14 am
I like EOGHAN which means young warrior, i think it would be a really good name for a wool as well! x
August 20th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
I love the name Aoife but the character herself is not so nice. She married King Lir and was so jealous of his children that she turned them into swans for 900 years.
August 20th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
I love Cerdwin meaning the mother goddess.….….. the way someone would feel in your designs.
August 20th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
I have always believed my name, Heather, to be of Celtic origin. So that’s clearly my favourite name.
I also love to knit, and the picture shows my favourite colour, again, Heather!
August 20th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Nest. Welsh, from the Mabanogion. It is my cat’s name.
August 20th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Etaoin — (AY-deen) from Old Irish et “jealousy”. Legendary heroine surpassed all other women in beauty and gentleness. Heroine in the tale The Wooing of Etain, telling of the competition for her love between the fairy king Midir and the mortal king Eochaid Airem.
Wonderful prize by the way!
August 20th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
The Arwen is gorgeous, I love the design.
My favourite celtic name is Andraste who was the celtic goddess of victory.Here in Cornwall we have the same name but it is spelt Andras.
August 20th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Cerridwen — She prepared in a cauldron a magical brew which stewed for a year and would yield three precious drops. These would bestow on the receiver the wisdom of the past, the knowledge of the present, and the secrets of the future.
August 20th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
I love all mythology. The name BÉBINN is a favourite. The name means, simply “Fair Lady”. The name of the Goddess of Childbirth.
August 20th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Muirin meaning ‘born of the sea’
Muirin is making her way towards the seaside that leans against her village. She decends the rocky terrace that leads to the shore, as the wind wisps through her hair. She can feel the soft, warm sand in her feet as she walks. Closer and closer she gets to the shoreline. Finally she has made it to the shore. But all of a sudden as she steps on the shoreline, dark clouds begin circling above her. The sea is restless and becomes dark. She looks up at the somewhat ominous sign. She hears a voice ’ Muirin Muirin dont be afraid’ Its her mother who had died when she was young. The tide rushes in, and in a burst of magic, waves roll up with a powerful force. The Rain is falling heavily, as the waves churn as though under a magical enchantment. And slowly a beautiful mermaid rises from the water. It is the Spirit of her mother, she tells Muirin that she is there to grant her one wish. She asks her mother to be able to join her as a mermaid so to live in the ocean forever.
August 20th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
What a fabulous coat and a wonderful prize.
I love all things about the sea so I choose Acionna the water goddess.
August 20th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I have to go for history rather than mythology and choose Cuthbert of Lindisfarne; an able administrator who hated religious in-fighting, a hermit beloved of the sea-birds (the eider ducks at Lindisfarne are still known as “Cuddy’s chickens”), and then a reluctant bishop of Northumbria. Shrines to his body, transported after his death by his monks to escape Viking invadors, founded both the modern settlement at Chester-le-Street, where I grew up, and the original church on the site of the great cathedral at Durham. (Cuthbert also gives his name to the primary school where my brother and I were both pupils, and where my nephew will start next month.)
August 20th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
I have chosen The Children of Lir, as it speaks to me in the sense that I have 3 boys and a girl. The characters are Lir, the four children, and a Christian named Caomhog. Lir, the King of Ireland and father of 4 children, lost his wife when the children were young. He so loved his children and wanted them to have a new mother, so married his wife’s sister, who then was to care for them. The new wife became jealous of the children, as the father spent much time with them. She made a deal with a druid for the use of his magic wand. The next day she took the children to the lake to swim, and after they were in the water, she turned them each into a swan. A dark cloud came, blocked out the sun, and with loud thunder, the woman disappeared and was never seen again. Her spell did not remove the children’s human voices and had told them they’d be free in 900 years upon the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland and the first sound of Christian bells. The 900 years passed and they followed the sound of the bells until they reached the home of a Christian call Caomhog, who explained what happened to them. Caomhog baptized them and the bells rang for them. Caomhog drempt of the children the night they died and in the dream they flew over the lake and straight to heaven. He knew then they were the children of Lir.
PS: As always, your design is sublime and beautifully created. Thank you for sharing and many thanks to the yarn company, too
August 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Howdy Ann!
Well, I don’t know much anything about Celtic names, so you caused me to do some “research”. (Wikipedia here I come!)
I pick Robor, god of Oak trees. I love oak trees and teach my kids to take acorns and poke them into the ground if they find them.
xoxoxo, mb
August 20th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
My favourite Celtic name is ARTHFAEL as it was my grandfathers name.
August 21st, 2012 at 1:50 am
My favourite Celic name is Laoise (pronounced Leesha) , my friend chose this name for her daughter as it means radiant girl, and is derived from the name of an ancient Irish god.
x
August 21st, 2012 at 5:54 am
My daughters name is Caitlin which is the old Irish version of Kathleen. It has an Irish pronunciation that I can’t do and a ‘fotha’ on the second i. Her Dad is Irish but that isn’t why I named her, I always loved the name.
My favourite Celtic character is Guinevere. A tragic character but so human to love the two greatest men of the age. If I am honest my favourite version of the story on film is the musical with Vanessa Redgrave.
August 21st, 2012 at 6:14 am
I love NIAMH meaning “bright” or “radiant a lovely name, Irish origi,was a goddess, the daughter of the god of the sea.
August 21st, 2012 at 6:40 am
The Celtic name I’m submitting is Danu — Irish earth mother. Matriarch of the Tuatha de Danaan (‘People of the Goddess Danu)’, the gods of Ireland. The Dagda,one of the ‘People of Danu’, was sometimes referred to as her father.
As one who has been called an earth mother, myself, I think this is beautiful.
August 21st, 2012 at 7:34 am
Sgeimh Solais She was the High King’s daughter’s name means “light of beauty.” When she married a Desi, a rival “race,” she began a war between her father’s followers and the Fianna. Just dhows you there were strong women around even then
August 21st, 2012 at 7:55 am
I like thw name Diarmuid from The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne While hunting with Fionn, Diarmuid was fatally injured by a wild boar’s fangs. Fionn, who had the ability to transform spring water in to a powerful healing agent was with him, so he had no fear of death. Fionn only needed to walk a few steps to the nearby spring, but with jealousy and hatred towards Diarmuid on his mind, he spilled the water twice. By the third time he went to scoop water, Diarmuid had already succumbed to his wound.
August 21st, 2012 at 8:29 am
I had to do some research too as I don’t know many Celtic names.
I like Drust.
Pictish name probably derived from Celtic drest meaning “riot” or “tumult”. This name was borne by several kings of the Picts, including their last king Drust X, who ruled in the 9th century.
August 21st, 2012 at 9:21 am
I love the Celtic name Erui/Erin (The English name of Ireland comes from Erui & Land). She is one of the goddesses of sovereignty
August 21st, 2012 at 9:49 am
Cyoeraeth/Gwrach-y-Rhibyn (Hag of the Mist), a form of banshee in Welsh mythology. I’d make a good banshee myself (you should hear me shriek!) so I was drawn to her.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:42 am
I love “Flidais”
An Irish goddess of forests, woodlands, and wild creatures.
I can just imagine a beautifull woman walking around the forests caring for the animals!
August 21st, 2012 at 10:43 am
I love “Flidais”
An Irish goddess of forests, woodlands, and wild creatures.
I can just imagine a beautifull woman walking around the forests caring for the animals!
August 21st, 2012 at 2:40 pm
I am choosing the Selkie! I love the magic of a seal becoming a human and falling head over heels in love. The call of the sea is a strong thing though, and they would often leave their lovers to return to the sea. The first time I read a story about a Selkie I cried. It is better to love and to have lost then to never love at all… right?
Selkie: magical seals who can temporarily assume human form, often long enough to love and break the heart of a human lover.
August 21st, 2012 at 2:43 pm
I’ve had to do a little bit of research, but I am feeling quite a pull towards Teyrnon Twrf Liant, the lord of Gwent. He found the son that Rhiannon was falsely accused of killing. He saved the boy from a monster, took him in and loved and raised him as his own, but the instant he realized the boy rightfully belonged to Rhiannon, he returned him to her. I love that!
August 21st, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I LOVE Celtic history.… especially the minor characters that have a wealth of culture. Muirenn is one of them.
Muirenn, or Muirne as she known in English narratives, was the Danann daughter of Tadg and granddaughter of Nuada of the Silver Hand.
She was often called “Muirne of the White Neck”.
Frequently, it was mentioned that Muirenn had two sisters – the druidess Bodhmall and Uirne (or Tuirne), who was the mother of twin hounds, Bran and Sceolang.
Because her father was serving as adviser to Conn Cétchathach, high king of Ireland, Muirenn met and fell in love with Cumhaill. Cumhaill was a young Fianna captain and chieftain of Clan Baiscne. Despite her father’s objection, Muirenn refused to return to the Sidhe (Otherworld), and married Cumhaill.
Muirenn became pregnant, shortly before Cumhaill became embroiled in a clan war against Clan Morna, led by Goll Mac Morna. Cumhaill was killed in battle and Clan Baiscne was defeated. Goll became the captain of the Fianna.
Instead of returning to her father, Muirenn and her two aged nurses, fled from her home to Sleive Bloom, where she later gave birth to Demna (Finn Mac Cumhaill). For her son’s safety, she left her son with the two nurses, while she tried to lead her enemies away from her son.
Muirenn found safety in Munster, where she married the king of Munster. Due to this marriage, the king of Munster was always a strong supporter of the Clan Baiscne. When the war erupted between the Clan Baiscne against the high king Cairbre Lifechair, Munster was the only province to support the Clan Baiscne.
August 21st, 2012 at 4:36 pm
I like the variant of my Celtic name — Christel
and adore Celtic music.…
August 21st, 2012 at 5:11 pm
All us knitters would be lost without the Anglo-Celtic Goddess Habetrot, which is the name I use for my spinning alter-ego.
Habetrot was a “spinning” Goddess. Spinning is both Pagan lingo for spell casting and for the turning of the Wheel of the Year. She may have been a Goddess of magick or a seasonal mother/creatrix figure since spinning women are usually linked to Pagan creation myths.
Habetrot is best known for her powers of healing which were linked to her skills with weaving fiber. All who wore the clothing she made would never fall ill.
August 21st, 2012 at 6:12 pm
I’m going to go for history too and choose St. Patrick who has always been my favorite, not so much due to the stories about him, but more because my brother is born on St. Patrick’s Day and because he (St. Patrick not my brother) is in so many beautiful folk songs
August 21st, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Ghillie Dhu, of scottish folklore, is what comes to my mind. I was a member of the Ghillie Dhu’s when I was a Brownie (many, many years ago). Ghillie Dhu is a fairy, guardian spirit of trees, kind to children, shy but a bit on the wild side.
August 21st, 2012 at 9:02 pm
My favourite is Meabh — Not because she was a strong willed warrior woman in the legends but because I used to babysit a Meabh and she was a very determined creature!
August 21st, 2012 at 10:09 pm
I love the name Kelpie, probably because it was the name of our first dog when I was a kid.
The kelpie is a supernatural water horse from Celtic folklore that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland; the name may be from Scottish Gaelic cailpeach or colpach “heifer, colt”.
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:09 pm
What a fantastic pize and I wish you well with the new book — all of the designs look beautiful.
I am choosing Coventina — Goddess of Wells and Springs. She links in well with my star sign (Aquarius) and the city which has become my home — Coventry.
She is associated with healing and renewal.
August 23rd, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Coventina — Goddess of wells and springs and life cycles. Represented abundance and inspiration and prophesy.
August 23rd, 2012 at 9:20 pm
I see that I just over posted somebody else.. Sorry
Brynhild — “Then Sigurd remembered how the story went that somewhere far away, there was a beautiful lady enchanted. She was under a spell, so that she must always sleep in a castle surrounded by flaming fire; there she must sleep for ever till there came a knight who would ride through the fire and waken her.” (The Story of Sigurd)
Brynhild was eventually wakened by Sigurd and he vowed to marry her. When Sigurd when to the King’s house, the King’s daughter Gudrun fell in love with him, but Sigurd did not love her. Gudrun’s mother gave him a magical drink, and he forgot about Brynhild, and he and Gudrun were married. Gudrun’s brother married Brynhild. When Brynhild discovered the truth, she made a dish of serpent’s venom and wolf’s flesh and gave it to her husband’s younger brother. When he ate it, he went to Sigurd and killed him. Brynhild, when Gudrun started moaning when she saw her husband dead, started laughing then sat down and cried till her heart broke. Brynhild, Sigurd, and his horse (Grani, which also died that night) were all placed on a boat, and the boat had fire set to it and they were all burned.
I read this story in The Red Fairy Book which I got for my birthday. I enjoyed the story, despite the sad ending.
August 23rd, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Sorry, I just realised that I over-posted someone.
Brynhild — “Then Sigurd remembered how the story went that somewhere, far away, there was a beautiful lady enchanted. She was under a spell, so that she must always sleep in a castle surrounded by flaming fire; there she must sleep for ever till there came a knight who would ride through the fire and waken her.”(The Story of Sigurd)
Sigurd made his way to Brynhild and woke her. He vowed to marry her, but when he went to the King’s palace, the King’s daughter, Gudrun, fell in love with him. Through enchantments, Gudrun’s mother made Sigurd fall in love with Gudrun. He married her, then Gudrun’s brother, Gunnar, married Brynhild, though Brynhild did not know that it was not Sigurd. When Brynhild discovered the truth, she used Gunnar’s younger brother to kill Sigurd. While Gudrun was mourning, Brynhild laughed, then sat down and cried till she died.
Though it has a sad ending, I enjoyed this story that was in The Red Fairy Book.