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What to call your dragonslayer. And Goldberry, perhaps.

Na Vedui
Rohan


Apr 18 2015, 9:45pm

Post #1 of 2 (874 views)
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What to call your dragonslayer. And Goldberry, perhaps. Can't Post

I've been reading "The Lore of the Land" by Jennifer Westwood and Jacqueline Simpson, which is a compendium of English folklore and legends, organised by location. For the village of Castle Carleton, in Lincolnshire, it lists a dragonslaying legend - of a dragon with (like Smaug) only one vulnerable spot on its body. It is slain by a local man called ... Hugh Barde! The details are not otherwise like "The Hobbit" (it's a sword job, not a bow, etc.) but I would bet a good deal that Tolkien knew the story. The slaying is said to have happened at a place called Wormesgay, and Tolkien was certainly interested in Worm- placenames and their connection with dragons (see "Farmer Giles").
Another tantalising snippet in the book was a reference to the old story, extant in medieval versions, of Havelok the Dane (exactly the sort of lore that would interest Tolkien). Havelok it seems, married a lady called Goldborough. Borough - burgh - bury (it's all the same word) occurs sometimes as Berry in placenames (eg the old earthwork Berry Ring near Stafford), which is again the sort of thing Tolkien would be aware of. Goldborough ... Goldberry? An appropriately nature-themed name with, lurking behind it, a real Old English name which is also oddly appropriate, thinking of the gold in the barrows where her river has its source. I wonder.


noWizardme
Half-elven


Apr 19 2015, 10:22am

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:) I'm going to call my dragonslayer "Goldberry" - ticks all the boxes, you see... [In reply to] Can't Post

Sounds like an interesting book you've found there!

~~~~~~

"nowimė I am in the West, Furincurunir to the Dwarves (or at least, to their best friend) and by other names in other lands. Mostly they just say 'Oh no it's him - look busy!' "
Or "Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!"

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