in his progress homewards, was powerfully excited | tage ground. The battle raged fierce and long, but by a wild though gentle melody which apparently at last one party succeeded in dislodging the other. proceeded from amidst some rocks, which lay in pic- All became riot and confusion, black knights were turesque confusion on the slopes and levels of the mixed with white, spears like needles were numerous mountain. After listening for some time, he again as the leaves of Birnam wood, and swords resemlost his track and suddenly found himself close beside bling the blades of penknives glistened in the moona troop of Ellyllon, which were dancing round a mys- shine with a fearful effect. The black party rallied terious circle of "stocks and stones." Before he had for a time, and numerous were the instances of chimuch time for thought, the elfin-troop surrounded valric bravery which were exhibited on either side; him and quickly hurried him aloft, one of the party at last, the white army finally became masters, and first asking the question, whether he would prefer the whole disappeared in the pursuit like a mist,--to be conveyed with a high, a moderate, or a low leaving "not a rack behind," to reward the curiosity wind? Had he chosen the first, or "above the wind," of some bold individuals who beheld the affray from he would instantly have soared into the most elevated afar. This memorable battle is still popularly believed regions; but our poor bewildered farmer unwisely by many persons in that wild and mountainous district. made choice of the low wind, thus rejecting (as is too often the case in life) the middle course, or "with the wind," where he would have enjoyed an easy and pleasant aerial excursion. The mischievous little spirits then hurried him along the surface of the ground, over bog and briar, thorn and ditch, until at last they threw him in a most miserable plight head foremost in the mire. We may give an amusing story or two on another occasion in further illustration of the pranks and frolics of the Ellyllon. They did not always, however, lead this secluded life, but frequently interfered with the concerns of man; and all the domestic disasters which arose from the inattention or idleness of servants, were set down to their agency. If the cows yielded little milk, or the corn look blighted, it was the work of the Ellyllon. The bells of the fox-glove are often called menyg Ellyllon, or goblins' gloves; and certain species of fungi bear the name of Bwyd Ellyllon, or goblins'

meat.

There are few mountains in Wales that are not invested with some fairy tradition or legend of the mar vellous. Trichrug, in Cardiganshire, which derives its name from three united hills, is believed to have been a favourite resort, and, like Cader Idris, is also distinguished by a remote legend, which relates that this lofty elevation was once the seat or chair of a giant, whose grave is still pointed out. In a match at quoits which took place here, between the giants of Cambria, he of Trichrug is said to have thrown one across St. George's Channel to the opposite coast of Ireland, thus winning the contest triumphantly. His grave was fabled to possess such extraordinary capabilities, that it not only adapted itself to the size of any one that lay down in it, but also gifted the individual with great or, if weak, with renewed strength. All defensive weapons placed in this grave were either destroyed or swallowed up. The rocky fortification, or carnedd, on the summit of Cader Idris, is invested by the surrounding peasantry with a mysterious tradition respecting the giant Idris, which we shall illustrate in an early paper, on the ancient superstitions and histories of the mountains, lakes, and rivers of Wales.

We are informed by the author of the " Hanafion Cymreig," or Antiquities of Wales, who quotes Giraldus, that the fairies had their own language, which somewhat resembled the Greek. If they enquired for water, they said "Udor Udorum,” and if for salt,

The Ellyllon, like the English fairies described by Reginald Scot, were governed by kings and queens, princes and nobles, had a regular code of laws like any race of mortals, and also possessed armies, for wars are related to have sometimes raged amongst these little beings, which rivalled in ferocity some which have occurred in this lower world. There is a celebrated battle related to have taken place on a mountain between Merthyr Tydvil and Aberdare, with two contending nations. The fairy armies, the officers" Hulgein Udorum." We beg to throw out a hint of which were respectively dressed and mounted on to some admirer of the tribe to endeavour to collect black and white chargers, were posted on two opposite materials for a fairy Dictionary. Fairies once hills or hillocks, and the leaders (perhaps Ellyllon abounded in Monmouthshire, but they have generally Wellingtons and Napoleons,) endeavoured by re- deserted that county, in consequence of the inhabipeated charges, to dispossess each other from the van- tants, it is said, having once paid much more attention to religion than their neighbours, for they are there reputed to dislike everything of a religious nature.

*The fairy queen is called Tywysoges Yr Elod.

This differs from the belief in many other places: Lilly tells us, in his Life and Times, that they love "neatness and cleanness of apparel, a strict diet, and an upright life; fervent prayers unto God,” he adds, "conduce much to the assistance of those who are curious in these ways."

Aubrey informs us, that when fairies remove from place to place, they are said to use the words Horse and Hattock. It was a charm against them in the old time to turn the cloak when assailed. If struck at by a mortal, they became instantly invisible. Mr. Pennant mentions, that there is a substance found at a great depth in crevices of limestone rocks in sinking for lead ore, near Holywell, in Flintshire, which is called Menyn, Tylna, Teg, or fairies' butter.

66

haunt and exclusively dwell in the mines of Cambria; and the miners assert, with the greatest solemnity, that they may frequently be heard actively engaged in the most remote parts of the workings; and by their noise, or knocking, draw the attention of the workmen to the richest veins of ore. Passing a large portion of their lives far removed from the cheering light of day, amidst the murky recesses of the earth, and, from many causes, rude and uncultivated in the extreme, we can hardly wonder that our mining population should be unusually superstitious. Mr. John' Lewis describes these aerial beings to be "little statured, about half a yard long;" adding, that there were miners, on the discovery of a vein of metal on his own lands, who could make oath that they heard these One of the most remarkable superstitions connected knockers in the day-time, in or near the mines. They with the Tylwyth Teg of Wales, is the belief in fairy were thought to be friendly disposed to the workmen, islands, which prevailed along some portions of the and never, unless provoked by some insult, to attempt to coasts of the counties of Carmarthen and Pembroke. harm any one. The most curious account that we have These islands would sometimes appear quite plain in seen is in the Gentleman's Magazine. It was written the distant horizon, but were only seldom visible to by Mr. Lewis Morris, a gentleman, who was eshuman eyes. Their appearance corresponded with teemed no less for his learning and benevolence than the nature of the inhabitants;-rising in beautiful for his general good sense and integrity." We, for the clusters on the bosom of the main, they looked like present, select the following passage from the two letthe abodes of immortals. The Tylwyth Teg were be-ters which he published in that venerable periodical. lieved to constantly attend the markets of Milford 'People who know very little of arts or sciences, or Haven and Laugharne, and like their island habita- the powers of nature, will laugh at us Cardiganshire tions, were only occasionally visible. The meat was miners, who maintain the existence of Knockers in taken away by invisible hands, and the proper value, mines, a kind of good-natured impalpable people, not mostly in silver pennies, was invariably laid down in to be seen but heard, and who seem to us to work in its stead. Sometimes, however, they came in an un- the mines; that is to say, they are types or forequestionable shape, neither " dilated nor condensed," runners of working in mines, as dreams are of some but they never spoke, and generally preferred to accidents which happen to us. Before the discovery of make their purchases of one particular butcher, who the Esgair y Mwyn mine, these little people worked had probably attracted their attention from his su- hard through day and night, and there are abundance perior cleanliness. One part of the tradition, at of sober honest people who have heard them. But least, we hold to be fabulous, namely that these su- after the discovery of the great mine they were heard pernatural visitors came to the mainland, by a sub- no more. When I began to work at Lwyn Lwyd, terraneous passage from the islands; this is utterly they worked so fresh there for a considerable time, at variance with the well-known aerial capabilities of that they frightened away some young workmen. the fairy tribe. There is something exceedingly in- This was when they were driving levels, and before teresting in these traditions of unknown islands, which we had got any ore, but when we came to the ore seem to have prevailed from remote antiquity. It they then gave over, and I heard no more of them. brings to mind, amidst a host of other recollections, These are odd assertions, but they are certainly facts, the Fata Morgana on the coast of Calabria, and the although we cannot and do not pretend to account for shadowy islands so long descried from the Canaries, them. We have now (October 1754) very good ore of which so wondrous an account is given in the old at Lwyn Lwyd, where the Knockers were heard to writers, and in Washington Irving's inestimable Life work. But they have now yielded up the place, and of Columbus. are heard no more. Let who will laugh, we have the greatest reason to rejoice and thank the Knockers, or rather God, who sends these notices."* "Gents. Mag." 1754.

Another very singular description of spirits, which closely assimilate in their nature, if they may not be classed as fairies, called Knockers, are believed to

In the coal districts of Wales, a couple of horse- | work underground. If pursued, they disappear like

shoes are generally nailed to the frame-work at the top of the coal-pit, to keep away witches, warlocks, and other mischievous beings; a superstition analagous to that which prevails in the navy, and very frequently in the merchant and coasting services. In the navy, we are told by Captain Glascock that a horseshoe, always toe up, is nailed to the forepart of the foremast, as a specific against these unhallowed hags. There is also a popular superstition relating to the "divining rod," cut at a certain hour, which was supposed to possess the property of indicating the existence of undiscovered mines. In Staffordshire, there is a race of goblin miners, somewhat resembling the knockers of Wales, but who are represented to make themselves sometimes visible, and even to perform kind offices for the colliers, occasionally drawing up buckets of water, and performing their

a flash of lightning. In that county, however, the appearance of these goblins is deemed to be, occasionally, either the forerunner of disaster, or to mark the unjust conduct of some parties connected with the works. These superstitions bear a resemblance to the "swarth fairy" of the mines of Germany, where there are two species," the one fierce and malevolent, the other a gentle race, appearing like little old men, dressed as miners, and not above two feet high."

But here we must pause. In our next paper we shall endeavour further to illustrate the history and numberless curious legends connected with the fairy mythology of Wales, with such collateral circumstances from the popular belief of other countries, as may tend to confer additional interest on the subject. VYVYAN.

IN a preceding article, viz. "On the knowledge | above wood-cut has been executed. Although cupossessed by Europeans of the Elephant in the thirteenth century," (p. 335,) it is mentioned that both Matthew Paris, and John de Wallingford, made drawings of the Elephant, which the King of France presented to Henry III., in the year 1255. From that by Matthew Paris, (occurring in the Cottonian MSS. marked Nero D. i. fol. 168. b.) a tracing has recently been made for our use, from which, reduced to about one-fifth of the original size, the

rious, it cannot be regarded as a correct representation of the Elephant, since neither the feet nor the hollow of the back could have been so proportioned, in the real animal, as they appear in the drawing. The dissevered proboscis was, most probably, introduced, to show the different inflections of which that member is susceptible. The drawing by Wallingford is a mere outline tinted of a reddish colour, and but very little larger than the annexed cut

REMARKS

ON BURLESQUE TOURNAMENTS.

BY SIR SAMUEL RUSH MEYRICK, K.H.

the mummery too often attached to religious observances, but also its burlesque imitation. At one time they would enforce the strict and ceremonious regulations prescribed to insure obedience and respect, and at another admit of their deterioration by buffoonery and make-game :-at this moment giving NOTWITHSTANDING the number of authors whose respectful heedance to all the pomp and circumpens, dipped in ancient lore, have made chivalrous stance of feats of honour and knighthood, and at deeds the theme of their writings, it has scarcely the next, allowing of their being made the butt of been noticed that the TOURNAMENT, the darling ribaldry and merriment to the most vulgar minds. delight of our ancestors, (that imposing spectacle, It is true, that the same persons were not actors in at which all that was gallant, noble, and courteous, these extremes, that the satires on the clergy (who assembled to vie in attraction, or prowess,) was often living secundum regulas enjoyed the inevitable made the subject of Ridicule. Such conduct, in temptations of their wealthy institutions,) were the an age so jealous of punctilio and ceremony, is doubt-productions of their poorer secular brethren, or of less too anomalous to have been conceived by those the envious minstrels and troubadours; that the Lord who regard the days of chivalry as Utopian,-who, of Misrule and his attendants were sometimes of the singling out the disinterested actions recorded in history, instead of regarding them as exceptions to the general rule, have, from the aggregate, systematized and endeavoured to teach the world that there once was such a state of society as, in reality, never existed. Yet so gross were the ideas in by-gone days, that the same persons could not only tolerate

lower class, who performed the saturnalia of their day; and that the MOCK TOURNAMENTS were celebrated by those who were excluded from the privileges that admitted the high born to that envied amusement. But then these were permitted by the rest of society who shared in the enjoyment experienced by the others.

The origin of what appears so unaccountable is | took place in what is now called the Herb market in however, of more remote antiquity, and must be re- that town; a large square, on one side of which stands ferred to the early ages of Christianity, when the the Catholic church of Notre Dame, and on the minds of men were still under the dominion of their opposite one, a fountain. The parties who engaged prejudices for pagan customs; when, rather than in the contest were the Merchants and Burgesses, endanger the maintenance of the new religion, the who were attended by Fools with their batons made ecclesiastic rulers thought it more politic to permit the of bladder, while they themselves were guarded in existence of some and to make alterations in others. the upper half of their persons with actual tournament The sports and fooleries, originally confined to the armour. Among other occurrences represented as lower classes of the laity, were very soon imitated having excited merriment, is the act of a fool preby the clergy, no doubt, originally, with a view of suming to save an unhorsed combatant from his fall, ingratiating themselves, and thus having the power by holding out his baton. The initials of the artist's to check any of those excesses indulged in by the name H. R., and the date 1621 are upon the work, votaries of idolatry. This advantage of the priest- but as the event happened on the 28th of February, hood was too palpable not to be wished for by the in the year 1446, of course this cannot be regarded higher orders in society, and hence a Lord of Mis- as an authentic resemblance. The memory of this rule, a Prince de Plaisance, a Roi des Ribands, and mock contest, however, seems to have been cherished other like titles. at all times with great attachment, for in the library at Goodrich Court, Herefordshire, is a Set of coloured Drawings very spiritedly done, fifty-six in number, of the time of Henry VIII., which commemorate this entertainment. I send you a copy of one of these, in which you will perceive that the housing of one of the horses is covered with foolscaps, and magpies.*

With respect to the Burlesque Tournaments, which are more immediately the subject of this communication, they were carried to a much greater extent on the Continent than in England, and yet they formed part of the splendour and shew of our own Lords of Misrule, for whom, as we find by records still existing, were provided "certain maskes with their furniture, and coates of canvas painted like shirts of mail, and bases, barbes, and caparisons, with trappours made, garnyshed and sette out, and complete furniture for iiij challengers and their xx horses, well appoynted and prepared to use in and for the tryumphe and justes, with long fools' cotes of white and red baudekyn."-When these mock encounters first began is not easy to decide, they were known certainly as early as the commencement of the reign of Henry VI., and had probably grown out of the Troy game, and such like harmless sports; and it would seem that the behourds or mock lances, made of reeds, were used when actual armour was not worn for protection. My worthy friend Francis Douce, esq. (whose collections on all points relative to the interesting subject of manners and customs, shew his persevering and discriminating industry,) possesses a curious German engraving of a Burlesque Tournament, dated 1500, in which the salades of the combatants are ornamented with fools' caps and bells instead of those insignia appertaining to knights. There is on the ceiling of a long gallery in the town-hall of Nuremberg a representation in plaster, in very high relief, of a Mock Tournament, which

As these Drawings have never been engraved, I will close this paper with a description of them. A frontispiece, being the ancient and modern arms of the city of Nuremberg, with supporters, in front of an architectural arch. 1. Nine fanciful coats of arms and their crests. 2. A couple of fools with long bladders and wooden targets of a peculiar shape. 3. Four fools, having on their dresses the adopted armorial bearings of the combatants, with bells round their knees and to the lappets of their caps, carrying lances furnished with vamplates and cronels. Two serjeants on horseback with lances. 5. A drummer and fifer. 6. Two trumpeters mounted. 7. The pretended Marshall and Constable. 8. to 27. Procession of the combatants on horses fully caparisoned. 28. to 55. The conflict by the parties in pairs. 56. View of the square, with the lists and tournament in the middle.

The attached wood-cut is about one-fifth of the size of the drawing forwarded. It will be remarked that one of the com

batants has three hearts in pile for a crest,---which also appears

other has for his crest a shoe, or slipper. Each horse has a on the housings of his steed, within a wreath,---and that the collar of bells.---ED.