Here be Frig

Here be Frig

Introduction 

In this poem we look at places in England who’s name can be traced back to the Saxon goddess Frig. These can be split into three groupings: those places that are lost, those places that have no churches (perhaps just a farm or small hamlet), and those that can be found and have a church of which I have found just four. Three of these villages or hamlets have a church dating back to Saxon or at least medieval times named after Mary the only exception is ‘Saint Nicholas’s. However it seems that the Victorians were discontent with this church and built another about 300m away so now we have a hamlet with two churches, oh and the name of the new church well its Saint Mary’s of course, but if you want to displace a goddess well what better than to replace her with Mary.

The reference to “This Seven one three”, refers to a carving on the capitol of a column formed in the 13C when the North wall was taken down, the full inscription reads: “this seven one three found hear”

Here be Frig

First thy art Nerthus, Frig Goddess of love,

Queen of all Asgard, passion from above.

In all four cases, thee find when thee search,

Her place of worship, now saint Mary's church.

Old Froli now Froyle, Frig's Hill in Hampshire,

Vicar often drank, brace of port in cheer.

To let air in church, he broke window panes,

Saint Mary's church with, two hamlets remains.

Yorkshire Fridaythorpe, “village of Frig's day”,

And Saint Mary’s church, is found in Domesday.

Eight hundred years ago, ancient secret scrawl,

“This seven one three”, what was within wall?

Small Domesday village, Fretherne Gloucestershire,

Perhaps ”Frig's thorn-bush” now two houses here.

St Mary’s church known, in twelve eighty one,

Fretherne Court destroyed, but why was it done?

Freefolk, in Hampshire, with Mary's new church,

Frigefolc’s Nicholas, was left in the lurch.

As queen of Asgard, needs temple close by,

This hamlet didst build, second church on high.

All of these places, found in Domesday book,

All have church to Mary, thee just need to look.

Some scholars dispute, her name in there hides,

Some Pagans see best, since Mary resides.

Copyright Andrew Rea Aug 2012