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.

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



Book Information
ISBN 9780807845653
Author Karen Louise Jolly
Format Paperback
Page Count 264
Imprint The University of North Carolina Press
Publisher The University of North Carolina Press
Weight(grams) 394g