H05056 FERTILITY RITES LEGEND 7/19/05 - HARDY FORUM ARCHIVES ____________________________________________________________________________
From: patrick@prassociates.co.uk
Subject: RE: Fertility Rites & Aelfthryth
Date: July 19, 2005 4:53:06 AM PDT
To throw a little more fuel on to this smouldering thread, I have often wondered if Hardy knew of the marginal annotation in the Medieval 'Liber Eliensis' - another 'peeping' story that seems much closer to the Oak/Bathsheba on a pony episode.
The story relates to the notorious Anglo-Saxon queen Aelfthryth who is said to have organised the murder of her husband King Edward the Martyr at Corfe Castle in Dorset. An abbott was riding through a forest (? in Dorset) when he was "forced to satisfy the needs of nature". From his concealed position he saw queen Aelfthryth "under a tree preparing a magic potion" which transformed her into a horse ("equine animal") "so that she might satisfy the unrestrainable excess of her burning lust running and leaping hither and thither with the horses" etc.
The transformation certainly reminds me of the way Bathsheba seems to become one with her pony to the watching Oak.
TH, of course, was well-versed in the history of Dorset and would, I am sure, have long known about the doings of wicked queen Aelfthryth. A curious twist is that the modernised version of 'Aelfthryth' is 'Elfrida', another rare name in England but very close to the 'Elfride' which TH chose for his Emma-like heroine in a Pair of Blue Eyes.
I personally am quite happy to think all this is no more than coincidence or, perhaps, bits and pieces from TH's subconscious popping up in his work. But I find them interesting coincidences all the same.
Patrick Roper
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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu
Subject: Aelfthryth
Date: July 19, 2005 5:25:29 AM PDT
What a wonderful story, Patrick! The transformation into a horse -- marvellous. Had Bathsheba known the spell she might have spent more time on that than on sending Valentines to warped-minded bachelors.
I agree that Hardy probably chose Bathsheba for non-biblical reasons but ever aware, of course, of the connotations. The connotations could go either way-. They could enhance her position (in the book) as the victim of the man's peeping, spying and general shaming of her, or they could simply enhance her seductive beauty.
I am sure you are absolutely spot on with the Dorset folklore. Hardy would have devoured it all. And yes,. Elfride is a rare and interesting name as are Eustacia, Picotee, Cytherea et al. I believe there is a Thomasin his Hardy's family tree - is that right? And there is also a Knight.
All best wishes,
Rosemarie
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From: Jcphardysoc@aol.com
Subject: Re: Fertility Rites & Aelfthryth
Date: July 22, 2005 12:22:10 PM PDT
Queen Aelfthryth is supposed to have contrived the murder of her stepson King Edward the Martyr, not her husband.
Best wishes
John Pentney
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From: patrick@prassociates.co.uk
Subject: RE: Fertility Rites & Aelfthryth
Date: July 23, 2005 1:49:15 AM PDT
Yes indeed - my mistake. Thanks for pointing it out.
Patrick Roper