Thomas of Ercildoune

Sarah Dunnigan (University of Edinburgh)

Ed. by J. Derrick McClure, University of Aberdeen
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.3: Scottish Writing and Culture, 400-present.
Vol. editors: Kate Ash-Irisarri (University of Edinburgh), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Gina Lyle (University of York), J. Derrick McClure (University of Aberdeen), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

Born c. 1220
Died c. 1298
Activity c. 1240-c. 1290

Places

Born in Scotland
Active in Scotland

Activities

Primary

Poet

Resources

Thomas' Works

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She b(le)w …horne on hir palfray, And lef…thomas at eldyrn…. Til helms dale she toke [th]e w(ay), A(n)d thus dep

rted [th]

t lady and he. (Nixon 2: 83, ll. 681-4)

Although Thomas the Rhymer and the Queen of Fairies go their separate ways at the end of this medieval romance version of the popular legend, Thomas presciently asks his otherworldly captor “If we shall p(art for) euer and ay?” (Nixon 83: l. 676, Cambridge MS). Some kind of end to their fateful union may be implied in the surviving romance and ballad traditions, but the Rhymer’s story in terms of literary and cultural retellings has resolutely resisted closure. The narrative of Thomas the Rhymer ¾ his abduction to Fairyland, or “Elfland”, for three years or more and the prophetic and poetic powers he thereby

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2672 words

Citation: Dunnigan, Sarah. "Thomas of Ercildoune". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 June 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=12759, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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