Hearken back to the grit and grimy days of England in the 7th century. Towns were few and far between and wolves and Dragons still ruled the wilds with fang and claw. Fun Anglo-Saxon times.
Detail from Vortigern, Merlin & the Dragons. St.Alban’s Chronicle
This was the age of deep superstition and early conflict between the budding Christian church and old-time Paganism. Of strict class structure and more rights for cattle than women. It was into this world that Princess Æthelthryth (Etheldreda to those more Roman and Anglo-Saxon) was born of a most saintly lineage – according to the Venerable Bede, she, her brother, and three sisters were all canonized. She was a comely aristocrat with a fondness for beads and trinkets and more interest in heaven than earth. In the way of Medieval women, she was also a pawn in politics and religion for much of her short life (636-679 CE). Still, she was blessed to be a woman of wealth and property and so had leverage most women lacked.
After numerous exploits including two marriages (tricky propositions when one vows to remain a virgin), minor miracles, Æthelthryth founded an abbey in 673 at the Isle of Ely, an historic district in Fenlands she’d received as a dower gift from her first husband, King Tondbercht. She remained there as Abbess until her death from an unsightly tumor on her neck she attributed to divine judgement on her youthful liking of necklaces, gewgaws, and baubles.
What can this possibly have to do with Dragons, you ask? Was she personally familiar with our fierce friends? The strong anti-Dragon stance of the church would have made this highly unlikely. No, the connection comes posthumously, when, in honour of the saintly Æthelthryth – Audrey to those who knew her well – the people of Ely got together to celebrate her life with an annual fair. St. Audrey’s Fair. At these gatherings, in remembrance of Audrey’s jewelry obsession, simple, inexpensive trinkets were bought and sold. (The word ‘tawdry’ even comes from a bastardization of Audrey’s name.) Where better to pick up a little something for one’s Dragon without incurring a mountain of debt or the suspicions of the local constabulary?
St. Audrey Fairs are still held around the UK, and there is a growing effort among certain Dragon aficionados to spread the festivities to other corners of the world. Dates vary, from June 23 (Audrey’s Saints Day) to the more MotD-friendly time, October 16-17, Gaudy Bauble Day. Those who don’t have a proper St. Audrey’s Fair near by often substitute the experience with an afternoon of October tag-saling.
Hectic personal lives not to mention the advent of e-bay and other on-line vending venues have made actual ‘fairing’ more than a casual undertaking. Still, it’s autumn! The foliage is gorgeous and the air spiced with apples and woolly-bears. When better to go out with your Dragon and mingle with others of our kind among bins of dazzlers and sparklies.
It’s a great time to get a leg-up on your draconic Yule shopping ,too.
Wow, considering the century, she lived to a ripe age. I would love a trinket fair! Yule shopping – groan. I have thought about it, but have not yet started. Another good post, Shawn.
It is all relative, isn’t it, age. Esp. for women with the dangers of childbirth. May well have inspired her vow to remain a virgin, too, after seeing her mother go through a passle of pregnancies. She was first married off at 15–widow at 18, married again at 22. …
Seasonal pressure….Oy!
Yule shopping–yeah,
I vowed “an only child” after I gave birth to my son! So I can certainly dig it. Married at 15 – yikes, that’s sophmore year. Can you imagine?
Interesting life. To be wealthy as a woman back then, pretty amazing. What did she do other than have a need to remain a virgin, married to a king and a love of trinkets that called for her to become a Saint? She was an unusual woman for her times. Am I missing something. The reminder of Christmas and shopping–it is coming on too soon. I think I would rather it be as we celebrated birthdays with many surprises, one being when the gifts arrive and are presented and of course Hanukkah. I love the candles and menorah and lahkas. Lovely illustrations. J.K.
Reblogged this on the secret keeper and commented:
People wanted to celebrate her by throwing fairs throughout the year. Maybe the first real tags sales. Sparklies and trinkets. She did mangage to be married twice and not lose her virginity. I would suppose that was quite a gret feat. Dragons and superstition and Pagans versus Christians. A strange time to be alive. Good story to tell. J.K
Well, there was a miraculous high tide that lasted 7 days and kept her safe from the advances of her 2nd husband. Also a couple minor miracles along with general good works and piety. Fortunately no dragon slaying involved as with Martha and Margaret and others.
Chanukah–always good–the dragons enjoy the fire.
Lovely story, Shawn…and yes! Brits take their fairs and festivals very seriously. This fair would be resplendent with baubles and beads draped across every vendor’s stall.. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the odd dragon showed up in disguise.
Lurking around the verge, for sure.
It is a tradition we don’t really have over here, sadly, aside from the occasional tacky ‘craft’ fair.