Anglo-Saxon metrical charms facts for kids
Anglo-Saxon metrical charms were like old magical instructions or spells. People in Anglo-Saxon times used them to try and solve problems, especially sickness or bad luck. These charms often involved doing something physical. This could be making a special medicine, saying certain words many times, or writing words on an object.
These old Anglo-Saxon charms teach us a lot about how people thought about medicine long ago. Most medical writings from that time were translations from Latin. But these charms were special because they were first written in Old English, the language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons.
Today, some people still use herbal remedies (medicines made from plants). But these are usually based on science. The old Anglo-Saxon charms were different. Their ideas about medicine and plants were based more on spiritual beliefs than on science. Many of these charms had ideas from pagan religions. However, Christian ideas were also often included. Most charms mixed both pagan and Christian beliefs. For example, the famous Nine Herbs Charm mentions both the Germanic god Woden and Jesus Christ.
What Anglo-Saxon Charms Still Exist?
About twelve metrical charms from the Anglo-Saxon period are still around today. They were mostly found in a collection of medical texts called Lacnunga. This book was written between the 10th and 11th centuries. Some charms also appear in Bald's Leechbook from the 10th century. A few were even added as notes in other old books.
Here are some of the known charms:
- Æcerbot (For Unfruitful Land): This charm was used to "heal" land that wasn't growing enough crops.
- Against a Dwarf: Scholars are still not sure what this charm was for. Some think the "dwarf" might have been a type of illness, perhaps one that caused a fever.
- Against a Wen: This charm was supposed to get rid of a "wen." A wen was the Old English word for a cyst or a skin blemish.
- A Journey Charm: This charm asked God and other figures from the Bible to protect someone on a trip.
- For a Swarm of Bees (The Old English Bee Charm): This charm was used to protect people from a swarm of bees.
- For Loss of Cattle #1, For Loss of Cattle #2, For Loss of Cattle #3: All three of these charms were meant to help people find their lost cattle.
- For Delayed Birth: This charm's purpose was to help a woman who was having trouble giving birth.
- For the Water-Elf Disease: This charm was used to heal a sickness called the "water-elf disease." This illness caused pale, unhealthy-looking nails and watery eyes.
- Nine Herbs Charm: This famous charm was used to heal infections or diseases. It used nine specific herbs.
- Wið færstice (For a Sudden Stitch): This charm described how to heal a sudden, sharp pain. Some experts believe this pain was rheumatism.
See Also
- Anglo-Saxon medicine
- Old English literature
