Historical Introduction
This poem is
based on the tradition of the corn dolly and the idea that the corn has a
spirit which should be preserved through the winter to be returned to the earth
in the spring to ensure fertility.
The poem
draws from the image contained within an Anglo-Saxon Psalter which shows a corn
field being reduced to a single ‘clump’ known as ‘the neck’. In the foreground
a peasant is shown holding a ‘corn dolly’ in the shape of a cross with five
blades for each hand and the head.
The method of
cutting the ‘neck’ is based on surviving traditions which were common until
modern times.
References to
Nerthus a fertility goddess replaced largely by Frigg in late Saxon times and
Wuldorfador ‘glory father’ representing the Solar Logos, are taken from the
writings of St Bede and are mentioned in his ‘On the computation of time’
The idea of
the ‘sol cakes’ are again taken from Bede, where he refers to the second month
of the year called Solmonath (February). Which is said to mean Mud Month.
(compare sol with soil and think of ground conditions at this time of year).
The cakes were planted into the ground as an offering to both Nerthus and
Wuldorfador.
We have no
surviving recipe for the sol cakes, but given that the tradition of ploughing
the corn dolly into the ground at the start of ploughing and sowing season was
widely observed until modern times it seems possible that the dolly would have
been broken up and added to a mixture of some kind, perhaps of flour of various
grains, and returned to the ground uncooked to preserve its fertility.
The harvest
feast is recorded in Saxon law as a reward for the harvest work done on the lord’s
field.
The drinking
feast after ploughing starts in Solmonth, is again recorded in Saxon law as a
reward for work.
The Corn Dolly
Goddess Nerthus,
out of her womb born,
Goddess Frigg
became, the Queen of the Corn.
Cared for and
nurtured, by Wuldorfador,
Plentiful
abundance, for winter’s store.
Standing tall
and straight, we do thee adore,
Sudden end
with sharp blade, as if to war.
Thine neck wilt
be cut, with greatest of care,
Thine spirit
set free, by he who doth dare.
With his
flying scythe, falling to the ground,
Into three
sheaves, to be twisted and bound.
Preserving
the spirit, of summers corn,
To be reborn
again, we shalt not mourn.
The Corn
Queen’s spirit, now safely preserved,
First loaf of
bread, in the rigs to be served.
The first day
of harvest, feast and wassail,
To the
Harvest Queen, let us now drink hail.
Revered
through the long, winter months of gloom,
Looking and guarding,
over spinning loom.
In the New
Year’s soil, thee wilt be reborn,
Our offering
to, a new crop of corn.
We fashion
thee into, a small Sol Cake,
To keep thine
life whole, we wilt not thee bake.
Into the mud,
we return thee to Earth,
Dolly a
symbol, of goddess rebirth.
The dollies
power, to be now released,
After so much
ploughing, the drinking feast.
Much ale to
be drunk, this Sol Monath day,
Tomorrow we
plough, but tonight we play.
Hail to thee
Nerthus, Earth Mother of men,
Five blades
for thine head, and thine fingerers ten.
Filled with ample
rations, to bring us grace,
Be fruitful
in, Wuldorfador’s embrace.
Copyright
Andrew Rea 2009
