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Anglo-Saxon elves [Old English ælfe] are one of the best attested non-Christian beliefs in early medieval Europe, but current interpretations of the evidence derive directly from outdated nineteenth- and early twentieth-century scholarship. Integrating linguistic and textual approaches into an anthropologically-inspired framework, this book reassesses the full range of evidence. It traces continuities and changes in medieval non-Christian beliefs with a new degree of reliability, from pre-conversion times to the eleventh century and beyond, and uses comparative material from medieval Ireland and Scandinavia to argue for a dynamic relationship between beliefs and society. In particular, it interprets the cultural significance of elves as a cause of illness in medical texts, and provides new insights into the much-discussed Scandinavian magic of seidr. Elf-beliefs, moreover, were connected with Anglo-Saxon constructions of sex and gender; their changing nature provides a rare insight into a fascinating area of early medieval European culture.

Shortlisted for the Katharine Briggs Folklore Award 2007

ALARIC HALL is a fellow of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies.

Comparative religion --- History of civilization --- Ethnology. Cultural anthropology --- anno 500-1499 --- Great Britain --- Elves. --- Anglo-Saxons --- Civilization, Anglo-Saxon. --- Civilization, Medieval. --- Paganism --- Elfes --- Anglo-saxons --- Civilisation anglo-saxonne --- Civilisation médiévale --- Paganisme --- Religion. --- Religion --- Civilisation médiévale --- Civilization, Pagan --- Heathenism --- Religions --- Civilization, Medieval --- Medieval civilization --- Middle Ages --- Civilization --- Chivalry --- Renaissance --- Anglo-Saxon civilization --- Fairies --- History