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+ Medieval bits and pieces +
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+ DEAD IS DWERG +

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+ Posted by theoreadexpress on +
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+ I’m minding my own business, wandering around the Internet when I am smacked in the eyes by an interesting blog title – “Dwarf begone! Five early medieval ways to rid yourself of dwarfs” (https://thijsporck.com/2020/05/03/dwarf-begone/)
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+ I believe it is the worst kept secret that I tend to be easily earwormed, and an even worse kept one that a “song” called Diggy, Diggy hole is particular effective as a weaponised version. (I recommend the Wind Rose version if you need to check it out) I was amused, then, to read: +

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+ “The charm [found among the Lacnunga, instructs one to take seven little wafers like the ones people use to worship; i.e. the Host] and write down the names of seven saints (Maximianus, Malcus, Johannes, Martinianus, Dionysius, Constantinus and Serafion – the names of the Christian saints collectively known as the Seven Sleepers)] further instructs that a virgin must hang these wafers around the neck of the patient and that you are to sing a particular song, “ærest on þæt wynstre eare, þænne on þæt swiðre eare, þænne bufan þæs mannes moldan” [first into the left ear, then into the right ear, then on top of the patient’s head]. This ritual is to be repeated for three days in a row”
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+ So earworm a man to rid him of a dwarf – Interesting! Why would a medieval person have wanted to do such a thing? +

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+ “The Old English word for dwarf, dweorg, could also denote “fever, perhaps high fever with delirium and convulsions” [Dictionary of Old English, s.v. dweorg]” +

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+ The blogpost offers the following as the generally accepted translation of Harley MS 585, fol. 167v +

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+ Here came a spider-creature crawling in;
+ His web was a harness held in his hand.
+ Stalking, he said that you were his steed.
+ Then he threw his net around your neck,
+ Reining you in. Then they both began
+ To rise from the land, spring from the earth.
+ As they leapt up, their limbs grew cool.
+ Then the spider-dwarf’s sister jumped in,
+ Ending it all by swearing these oaths:
+ No hurt should come to harm the sick,
+ No pain to the patient who receives the cure,
+ No harm to the one who sings this charm. +

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+ Amen. Let it be done. ] (Trans. Williamson 2017, p. 1075) +

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+ I LOVE the image of a shady “spiderwiht” (awesome word) attempting to ride a man and making him writhe and convulse with fever as a result. +

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+ I was also amused at the idea of using a skull fragment to inscribe the runes “DEAD IS DWERG” on as a talisman against dwarves, but, you know, I love my household, I’m sure I would never resort to such things..
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+ Rights Holder: Norfolk County Council
+ CC License: By-SA – https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/751600 +

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+ It’s an interesting article. I’ll shut up now. No singing here, no, uh uh…. brothers of the mine.. damnnnnnnnn
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