Thomas Allen (Manx author) facts for kids

Thomas Allen (1710–1754) was a church leader known as a Vicar in the parish of Maughold on the Isle of Man. He is best known for writing special poems called carvals in the Manx language.

Life of Thomas Allen

Thomas Allen was born in 1710. His parents were Henry and Jane Allen. From 1739 to 1746, he worked as a curate in Andreas. During this time, he married Mary Lace from Ballavarry, Andreas.

After his father passed away, Thomas Allen became the vicar at Maughold on June 2, 1746. He was the last of five men named Allen to hold this important church position in Maughold. His family had served there for a long time.

Thomas Allen worked in Maughold until he died in 1754 at 44 years old. Like his family before him, he was buried in the Maughold churchyard. He left behind many things for his family. To his 11-year-old son, also named Thomas, he left his silver buckles, his gun, and a mare (a female horse). He also had a daughter named Alice, who lived to be 72.

What Are Carvals?

Thomas Allen is famous today for writing some of the oldest Manx carvals we still have. Carvals are long rhyming poems that were sung. The word "carval" comes from the English word "carol."

At first, carvals were only about the story of Christmas. But later, they started to cover other Christian topics too. They were sung at a popular church service called "Oiel Verrey." A writer named A.W. Moore described this service in his book, The Folklore of the Isle of Man:

After the prayers and a hymn, the church leader would usually go home. The Clerk would then take charge. People who had a carval to sing would take turns. This meant the service went on very late. Sometimes, it even got a bit wild! It was a tradition for the women to bring peas and throw them at their single friends. On the way home, many people would visit the nearest inn. There, they would drink hot ale mixed with spice, ginger, and pepper.

Carvals are very important because they are almost the only original Manx literature we have from before the late 1800s. Because of this, Thomas Allen is seen as a very important Manx writer. His two surviving carvals were published in the first book of Manx carvals, called Carvalyn Gailckagh (or 'Manx Carols'), in 1891.

Allen's carvals are:

• 'Tra Ta Mish Jeaghyn Er Yn Yrid Heose' ('A Hymn on Man's Shameful Fall'). He wrote this in 1728, and it has 47 verses.
• 'Trog Seose, My Chree' ('Rise Up, My Heart'). He wrote this in 1739, and it has 31 verses.

Here are some parts from his carvals:

Kirk Maughold, where Thomas Allen served as vicar.