Here be Elves

Introduction

Here we look at some of the places named after elves.

We start with Alphington (swallowed up by Exeter) Devon, it has a 17C rectory, was recorded in the Domesday Book and retains a12C font. The Saxons settled on Alphin Brook at a crossing point.

From 1100 it was ruled by a series of lords, the last lord, Henry Courtenay, was greedy and cared not for the people, he built a weir on the river which stopped fish and outlawed the taking of sand. Henry executed him for treason in 1538. In 1550 the weir was removed, but too late as the river had silted up (the elves were not pleased with him)!

In 1563 a metre deep canal was built as a bypass but it too silted up.

Charles Babbage (1791–1871), "father of computing" was educated in Alphington.

Charles Dickens's parents (1839) moved to Alphington.

There is, as often, some scholarly debate as to whether these places are actually named after elves or after people that mealy have elven names, eg Alvingham could, elf friendly farming settlement or the Homestead of the tribe of Ælf  where‘Ælf’ is a person’s name. It all become very pedantic for a thesis on this aspect see: ‘The Meanings of Elf and Elves in Medieval England’ by Alaric Timothy Peter Hall, Department of English Language, University of Glasgow, October, 2004.

Here be elves

Elfin villages, did elves once live there?

Tall slender people, long flowing blond hair.

But where art they now, those fabulous Wights,

Disappeared vanished, into darkest nights.

Alvingham village, of elves Lincolnshire,

Two churches built in, one yard out of fear?

Gilbertine Priory, Black Death monks did kill,

But elves still protect, oldest watermill.

Within Doomsday Book, Alveston is found,

An elfin village, with old Roman mound.

Elfin enclosure, in South Gloucestershire,

Saxon church ruined, did elves interfere?

Elf friend Alvington, a Gloustershire town,

Thousand year manor, has been taken down.

Smithas’ iron ingots, for bright elfin spear,

Light elves still protect, there’s nothing to fear.

Alvington Devon, an elf friendly town,

Saxon hill village, on garlic wood down.

Still Danes and Vikings, did not stay away,

Blue bells and wood elves, in shadows do play.

Alphington Devon, on old elfin brook,

Had it a priory, till dark elves they took.

Its sacred river, abused and destroyed,

Its lord beheaded, dark elves were annoyed.

Ilfracombe Devon, with Iron age hill fort,

Old working beacon, light for elfin port.

Elf wisdom valley, light elves tend the flame,

Many fires in town, art dark elves to blame?

Light Elves of our land, field water and wood,

Since late Saxon times, art misunderstood.

Yon devil did come, and make evil thee,

Thee were demonised, with sacred oak tree.

Copyright Andrew Rea Spring 2012