Why I’m fascinated by Thomas the Rhymer
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Reader, what was your favourite fairy tale as a child? Mine was, hands down, Beauty and the Beast—and yes, the Disney animated version. I did read the more traditional version of the tale, but what I loved most about the movie was Belle’s love of books (and the music!). I consider myself lucky to have had several folk and fairy tale collections sitting on the bookshelf of my childhood bedroom, from the slighlty depressing Hans Christian Andersen stories to an old volume of Grimm’s fairy tales to a modern anthology of stories with moral commentary written by the infamous Angela Carter herself. And while I have no illusions that I’ve heard every folktale out there (that would be impossible!) I am always slightly surprised when I discover a new folk tale that I never heard a whisper about as a child. Between the Disney empire and the voracious reading I did, I’m still not sure how some classic stories never made it into a film or a retelling in North American culture. The tale of Thomas the Rhymer is one of those stories. I first hear about Thomas two summers ago when the good folks at the Generally Spooky History podcast released a mini series on Fairies. In their episode on the Queen of Fairyland, they read the story of Thomas the Rhymer and I immediately fell in love. The legend of Thomas the Rhymer goes like this… "Thomas the Rhymer," also known as "True Thomas," is a Scottish folk tale centred around the real historical figure Thomas of Erceldoune, a 13th-century laird and reputed poet and prophet. The tale begins with Thomas meeting the beautiful Queen of Elfland while resting under the Eildon Tree (a Hawthorne bush). She takes him on a journey to her realm, where he remains for seven years. During his time in Elfland, Thomas is bestowed with the gift of prophecy and the inability to lie, earning him the nickname "True Thomas." After seven years, the Queen returns Thomas to the human world, where he becomes renowned for his prophetic abilities. He foretells various events, both local and national, including the death of a Scottish king, battles, and natural disasters. Thomas's prophecies and his mystical experience with the Queen of Elfland become legendary, and he is remembered as a prominent figure in Scottish folklore. Some say he went back to Efland with the Queen while others say he sleeps, awaiting the people of Scotland to call upon him—very much like the legend of King Arthur. There are many details in this story that I want explore with you over the coming weeks, but the biggest question I had after reading several variations was: WHY? Why was the Queen of Fairyland at Ercledoune in the first place? Why did she choose Thomas? Why did she trick him and then let him go? Why did she return for him 70 years later? Why did she give him the gift of prophecy, thereby taking away his poetic abilities? What is her side of the story? And you might be thinking: Natalie, it’s a fairy tale, it doesn’t have to be plausible! And you’d be right. Except, it isn’t a pure fairy tale, because history indicates Thomas of Eceldoune was a real figure, even if his story is as murky as it is legendary. It is, nevertheless, a folk legend with roots in history, which means I'll never get my answers. Unless I do what I do best: write the Queen of Fairyland’s story. Even if you’ve read other tales in the Agnur & Ulfur universe, (In the Company of Elves, The Deacon of Dark River, The Case of the Missing Selkie), this next story will take you deeper into the Seelie realm to explore the legend of Thomas the Rhymer as it’s never been explored before. More details coming soon! Until next week, Natalie Guttormsson PPS - *FREE BOOK* Giveaways end June 30th! |