Queen of Elphame

What it is

The Queen of Elphame is a mythical figure representing the ruler of the fairy world in Lowland Scotland and Northern England. She is also known as the Queen of Elphane or simply the Fairies. In folklore, she presides over a supernatural realm called Elfame or Elphyne. Her character shares many parallels with legends such as Thomas the Rhymer and Tam Lin. While often depicted as a powerful sovereign, she is sometimes linked to darker forces or the devil in historical accounts.

Where it comes from

The term appears in early modern witch trial transcripts with spellings like 'Quene of Elfame'. The idea that it means 'Elf-home' comes from later editor Robert Pitcairn and is considered speculative. Scholars note connections to older ballads where the queen spirits away mortals. Some theories link her to the Saxon goddess Ercel, though this is not widely accepted. The name gained popularity through 19th-century writers like Robert Graves.

How it is done

Accused witches claimed to interact with the Queen and her court. They reported being carried to Elfame or meeting her in human form. Interactions included receiving healing knowledge from her minions or engaging in carnal relations with her. Some confessed to riding with her company on white horses during festivals. These encounters were described as real experiences by the accused, often involving shape-shifting and shadow-like appearances.

Tools and materials

The Queen and her followers are associated with white horses and white linen clothing. Healing practices involved picking herbs before sunrise and brewing salves. The Queen herself was said to wear fine clothes and could change her age at will. Her court included brownies and other supernatural beings who dwelt in the Court of Faery.

What it is for

People sought her favor for healing, luck, or protection. Witches claimed to gain knowledge of medicinal herbs from her servants. However, interactions could be dangerous. Some accused women reported abuse or loss of power after striking by elfin minions. The Queen was also feared for taking people to her realm against their will or demanding tribute.

Who does it

The primary practitioners were accused witches in Scotland and Northern England. Figures like Alison Pearson, Andro Man, and Bessie Dunlop claimed direct contact with her. These individuals were often marginalized women or men who used folk healing. Their testimonies were recorded during witch trials, revealing a complex relationship of service, fear, and alleged pact-making.

Peoples and places

The belief is rooted in Lowland Scottish and Northern English culture. It appears in Border ballads and local folklore. The Queen is distinct from the Irish Nicneven, though some 19th-century scholars confused them. Different regions had varying names for her, including Queen of Elphen or Queen of Fairy. The tradition reflects a blend of pre-Christian fairy lore and Christian demonology.

What people believe

The Queen rules a hidden world parallel to human society. She commands elves, brownies, and other spirits. Her realm is often described as a court or land of fairies. Believers held that she could shape-shift and control weather or fate. In some accounts, she serves the devil or demands souls as tribute. The belief system blends pagan fairy traditions with early modern fears of witchcraft.

When it is done

Encounters were reported on various occasions. Hallowe'en was a key time for fairy rides. Holy Rood Day saw processions with the Queen and her company. Daily life interactions included morning herb-picking and nighttime meetings. Births and deaths were also times when the Queen's influence was felt, such as prophesying child mortality.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Modern scholars view these accounts as products of witch trial hysteria. The Queen is seen as a cultural construct merging fairy lore with demonic figures. Historians note that spellings varied widely and etymologies were often invented later. Anthropologists study how these beliefs reflected social tensions and gender roles in early modern Britain.

Compare and confuse

The Queen of Elphame is similar to the Queen of Fairy in English folklore. She is sometimes confused with Nicneven, an Irish witch-queen. Comparisons are also drawn to the Virgin Mary in ballads where she is mistaken for her. The figure shares traits with other European fairy queens and underworld rulers.

Questions people ask about Queen of Elphame

Good reading and sources

• Queen of Elphame on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data