Popular Plants in Medieval Herb Gardens

Spring colour and a profusion of scents in the replica medieval herb garden at Stafford Castle. 
Image courtesy of Simon Huguet / Herb Garden, Stafford Castle.(CC BY-SA 2.0)

Popular Plants in Medieval Herb Gardens

Engaging your senses is the best way to experience history. Watch a castle documentary (or visit one in person) and you’ll travel into the Middle Ages. Touch the rough stone of the 1831 version of London bridge and you’ll stand above the Thames despite the fact that it spans the Bridgewater Channel canal at Lake Havasu, Arizona. Smell the aroma of lavender and lace-gloved ladies will walkl through your imagination. Listen to an antique music box and travel into a bygone era. 

Escape with Janalyn Voigt into creative worlds of fiction.

One of my favorite ways of connecting with the past is through sense of taste. I love to cook and have an affinity for growing herbs. The medieval herb garden I planted has survived the intrusions of life that kept me from tending it for several years. That makes such a garden perfect for a busy author. If you have similar demands on your time but still want to enjoy gardening, planting a medieval herb garden is a good way to go.

Note: DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven, book one) was selected for the Amazon Monthly Ebook Deal list for March 2019. This book is on special through March. Read the description and follow the link at the end of this article.

Importance of the Medieval Herb Garden

While vegetables and grains were cultivated in the fields, tending and preserving herbs fell to the lady of the manor. Herbs grown in medieval times fell into three categories: culinary, medicinal, and household. The most useful crossed categories.

Herbs were valued far more in the Middle Ages than they are today, particularly the medicinal variety. Culinary herbs enlivened the palate but weren’t eaten for taste alone. They provided necessary nutrients during the winter when greens were scarce and could also disguise rancid meats. Household herbs like lavender, rosemary, and pennyroyal were used to repel pests and freshen the air.

Medicinal herbs found in medieval gardens 

I suggest that you do your research and consult a qualified professional before growing herbs for medicinal use. With proper guidance, growing fresh herbs can be beneficial. You should know that some (such as rue) mentioned here are considered toxic in modern times. Also, it’s possible to overdose on willow bark and possibly others I’ve listed. I am not an herbalist. My goal is not to advise you on your health needs. This article is meant only to impart information about herbs in history.

Medicinal herbs popular in the Middle Ages included clary sage, chamomile, comfrey, dandelion, feverfew, hyssop, lavender, rue, sage, peppermint, goosegrass, tansy, willow bark, and garlic. Feverfew and willow bark helped with headaches. Lavender, sage, and peppermint aided the digestion. Comfrey, and goosegrass mended broken bones, cuts, and lesions. Dandelion, hyssop and rue were given as purgatives. Clary sage (also known as ‘clear eye’) found a use as an eyewash. Chamomile’s sedative effects countered sleeplessness.

Culinary herbs grown in medieval gardens.

Basil, curry, dill, cumin, lavender, coriander, rosemary, sage, savory, oregano, and tarragon made their way into the kitchen. Many were dried for winter, but others (like winter savory) flourished despite cold weather. To provide variety in drab winter months, cooks also relied upon rosehip and other herbed jams and jellies.

Household herbs popular in the Middle Ages. 

Lavender, rosemary, and sage show up again in this category. Along with citron, pennyroyal, and parsley, they sweetened the air and deterred pests.

Designing your medieval garden.

For ideas, search online for images of your ideal garden. You’ll find pictures and descriptions in Plan a Medieval Garden, a previous post I wrote on this topic.

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt's unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and whimsy creates breathtaking fictional worlds for readers. Known for her vivid writing, this multi-faceted author writes in the western historical romance, medieval epic fantasy, and romantic suspense genres.

Janalyn is represented by Wordserve Literary Agency. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, she loves to garden and explore the great outdoors with her family.

DawnSinger

The High Queen is dying... 

At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens. 

But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes. 

On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the DawnKing and the salvation he offers into a divided land. 

To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender.

Learn More>>

Birds that Symbolized Christianity in the Middle Ages

Birds represented the soul in medieval thought, capable of winging above worldly cares and possessions to reach God. The concept isn't hard to grasp. It ia, in fact, unforgettable. Individual birds took on special meanings in the Middle Ages, just as they do today. Some of the most notable are listed below and may surprise you.

This article is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt

Birds that Symbolized Christianity in the Middle Ages

Crane

When the lead crane tired during flight, that bird would drop to the rear of the flock, to be replaced by another. The first thus became last, an example of humility. Christians also looked to cranes for a reminder of vigilance. This connection began with Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, who taught that a single crane clutching a stone in its claw kept watch over the flock at night. If the feathered sentry began to fall asleep, the stone would fall and wake the crane. In medieval heraldry, a crane holding a stone became the very image of watchfulness.  

Dove

Found in the pages of the Bible, the dove represented the Holy Spirit, peace and purity in the Middle Ages as it does today.

Eagle

It was once believed that eagles flew near the sun, then plunged into water to renew their plumage and restore their youth. This idea was based on Psalm 103:5: “…so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (World English Bible) This association made the eagle a symbol of resurrection, new life, and Christ Himself.

Falcon

The falcon had two interpretations in the Middle Ages. As a persistent hunter, the wild falcon brought to mind evil thoughts and actions. However, the domesticated falcon represented the gentile converted to Christianity. This duality makes clear the peril of those separated from God and the mercy of God’s grace in offering salvation to all mankind.

Goldfinch

Because of a fondness for thistles thorns, the tiny goldfinch became a powerful symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in dying to save lost sinners.
  

Peacock

In ancient times, people suggested that peacock flesh would not decay. The birds were thought to be immortal. Peacocks shed and regrow their tail feathers, a feat that reminded people of the death and resurrection of Christ.

Pelican

In the Middle Ages, pelicans were considered attentive to their young. A pelican who brought no food to the nest might even wound itself so its young could dine upon their parent’s blood. The pelican thus symbolized the passion of Christ, who poured out his blood for a starving world.

Deutsch: Friedrich Justin Bertuch, Bilderbuch für Kinder, 1790-1830 (Eigenbesitz), Fabelwesen.by Bertuch-fabelwesen.JPG: Friedrich Johann Justin Bertuch (1747-1822)derivative work: Tsaag Valren (Bertuch-fabelwesen.JPG) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Phoenix

Introduced into Christianity possibly during the first century, the Phoenix was a mythical bird of surpassing beauty from the Egyptian dessert. This bird was said to burn itself on a funeral pyre, only to rise from its ashes, restored to youth and ready to live out another long lifespan. Popular in medieval art, the phoenix represented the death and resurrection of Christ.  

Note from the Author

Maybe it’s because I write allegorical fiction, but symbolism fascinates me. The creatures and objects chosen to represent Christian spiritual concepts, the Christian Church, and in many cases, Christ Himself, reveal a lot about medieval culture. Needless to say, I’m hooked on this study. Every third month I'll offer a new post on this topic.

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt offers readers a unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and whimsy. She creates breathtaking fictional worlds for readers. Known for her vivid writing, this multi-faceted author writes in the western historical romance, medieval epic fantasy, and romantic suspense genres.

Janalyn is represented by Wordserve Literary Agency. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, she loves to garden and explore the great outdoors with her family.

Learn about Tales of Faeraven, medieval epic fantasy from the pen of Janalyn Voigt

Angel Roofs: England's Forgotten Treasure

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Angel Roofs: England's Forgotten Treasure

Roof angel from Holy Trinity church, Blythburgh, Suffolk
By No machine-readable author provided. Mel Etitis~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0 ]

Most visitors to England are enthralled by the grandeur of the medieval chapels they tour. However, they often miss some of their most exquisite features. Tourists either forget to look up at the timber roofs, or else distance and poor lighting make the masterpieces of ornamentation that rest there hard to see. Built between 1395 and about 1530 and decorated with hand-carved angels, these ‘angel roofs’ numbered in the hundreds.

Hammerbeam roof of St Wendreda's Church, March, Cambridgeshire is decorated with 118 angels carved in oak.By David Iliff (User:Diliff) [CC BY 3.0]

Only 170 angel roofs survived into the present. That any remain is truly remarkable. Most were constructed in the 1400’s, a century that marked the Wars of the Roses and the formation of the Tudor dynasty. During the English Reformation that followed, religious zealots targeted all medieval religious imagery for destruction. Most church ornaments were destroyed. Some estimates put the amount of artwork destroyed at above 90 percent. Many of the roofs escaped this fate, however. The roofs lofted high overhead and out of reach. Besides this, some of the angels actually supported the roofs they graced. Removing them would have called for determination, courage, and coordination.

John Salmon / St Peter & St Paul, Cromer, Norfolk - Roof angel CC BY-SA 2.0

The large majority of angel roofs (75 percent) are found within the churches of East Anglia, most notably in Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Artisans unknown to us today carved the angels. Sculpted in great detail, the roof angels represent a variety of forms and styles. The tallest stretch 8 feet in height. Most are oak, although sycamore and chestnut also came into use. Colorful paint adorns many. A roof might boast hundreds of angels or only a few. They give a tantalizing glimpse of what medieval churches looked like.

Roof angels are the largest extant body of medieval wood carvings in England. They are a priceless connection with the past. Sadly, art historians and medieval scholars largely neglect these amazing art pieces and beautiful keepers of history.

About the Author

Janalyn Voigt's unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and whimsy creates breathtaking fictional worlds for readers. Known for her vivid writing, this multi-faceted author writes in the western historical romance, medieval epic fantasy, and romantic suspense genres. 

Janalyn is represented by Wordserve Literary Agency. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, she loves to garden and explore the great outdoors with her family.

Explore Janalyn Voigt's interactive website.

DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven 1)

The High Queen is dying... At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens. But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes. 

On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the DawnKing'and the salvation he offers'into a divided land. To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender. Learn More>>

From Washouts to Pirates, Travel in 14th-Century England

This post is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt.

A portion of the Roman Road, now a bridle path, near Slinfold, photo by Andy Potter; [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Travel in 14th-Century England depended on status and wealth. Most people were villiens, laborers who farmed land they rented from a lord. Travel for them consisted of going by foot to the nearest market town, where they could sell wares and purchase goods. Almost all towns and villages were less than 15 miles apart, which made an easy walking distance with a night’s lodging possible. People walked more in those days and had strong legs, a fact documented by forensic examination of human skeletons from that era.

Those riding on the back of horse, mules, or donkeys could travel on to the next town before needing to stop. Wagons and carriages weren’t a common means of transportation, even for the nobility. Wheeled carts were useful for short trips, but the poor roads limited their value for longer journeys.

Inns weren’t plentiful and didn’t take everyone. The cost of a bed in an inn wasn’t practical for villiens, who had to be resourceful. They could hope to spend the night in a friend’s home. Farms and cottages might offer hospitality. Sleeping conditions could be rough. Rather than finding a bed for the night, a villien would be thankful to sleep on a pallet in the corner of a kitchen. Churches maintained hostels where the poor could stay.

People didn’t usually employ maps, which meant that finding your way on a land journey called for knowledge of the route or hiring a guide. Roads were usually muddy tracks forged from need and frequent use. Those whose course took them along one of the few remaining Roman roads did a little better. Travelers often had to ford streams and rivers. Bridges might be in poor shape, missing, or washed out altogether.

Those travelling the same direction frequently banded together for safety’s sake. Dangers lurked in the form of wolves, boars, or robbers. Most travelers carried weapons for self-defense.

Sometimes people transported goods by rivers, thus avoiding the difficulties of land travel. They paid a toll for this privilege.

Sea voyages were unreliable, cramped, and filthy. Ships carried passengers into other kinds of danger. A storm might drive the vessel off course or send it, and everyone aboard, to the bottom of the sea. Pirates were a known threat.

Travel in the Middle Ages was a challenging business for the average person. It presented inconveniences and dangers and could be quite an adventure.

About Janalyn Voigt

Escape into creative worlds of fiction with Janalyn Voigt. Her unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her medieval epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries the reader into a land only imagined in dreams. Her western historical romance novels have received acclaim from Library journal and Romantic Times. 

Janalyn is represented by Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, Janalyn loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors.

DawnSinger (Tales of Faeraven, book 1)

The High Queen is dying… At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens.

But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes. On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the DawnKing—and the salvation he offers—into a divided land. To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender. 

Learn More.

10 Interesting Castle Facts

Castles safeguarded the lands of their noble owners and afforded protection to the local populace in the event of war. They served as cultural centers, places of worship, economic hubs, garrisons, locations to hold court, prisons, and more. These ancient strongholds often feature in my fiction, and I’ve come across some interesting castle facts while researching Tales of Faeraven, my medeival epic fantasy books based on 13th-Century Europe. Below, you will find some intriguing facts about these riveting structures. 

This article is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt.

10 Interesting Facts About Castles 

England's Warwick Castle in the mist.

1. Castle Etymology

While some disagreement exists as to the origin of the word ‘castle,’ most scholars believe it derived from the Latin word for ‘fortress.’ Since a castle primarily functioned to protect its inhabitants and the surrounding community, this makes perfect sense. 

Bojnice Castle - Slovakia
Image by Pudelek (Marcin Szala) (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2. Circular Stairs 

The clockwise curve of a castle tower’s stairway forced intruders to climb with their right hands to the wall, while defenders coming down to meet them had their right hands free. Designers built many ingenious defensive architectural features like this one into castles.

Interior of well house at Carisbrooke Castle
Image by Dave Pape (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

3. Castle Well 

The source feeding water into the well represented a potential vulnerability for a castle. If left unprotected, a poisoned well could end a siege in defeat for the defenders. Since a water source might exist outside the walls of the castle, this could become a big problem.

Cardiff Castle Water Spout 
Image by Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK (Cardiff Castle water spout  
Uploaded by tm) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

4. Running Water

Contrary to modern belief, castles carried running water through pipes from cisterns on higher floors. The inhabitants of a castle bathed in wooden tubs that could be covered with canvas in cold weather.

Garderobe, Peveril Castle
Image by Dave.Dunford [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

5. Garderobe

This early version of a toilet consisted of a wooden board cut with a hole and situated in a small chamber. Human waste traveled through chutes into the moat. The fact that moths wouldn’t go into this chamber due to the sewer gases gave this closet-like room its name. The garderobe became a place to hang clothing to keep out bugs. 

The Moat of Leeds Castle near Maidstone, England, photographed July 2005
by Tobiasvonderhaar (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

6. Moat

A deep, wide ditch filled with water diverted from a river or other body of water protected a castle in a variety of ways. A moat forced potential invaders to swim, making them easy targets. It also prevented miners from digging beneath the castle walls to gain entry, and its presence safeguarded against fires.

Chateau de Vincennes
Image by CJ DUB - Own work, Attribution, License Information

7. Keep

A castle keep acted as a fortified residence for the noble family and other inhabitants of the castle. This great tower at the heart of the castle might soar as high as 80 feet (24 metres) into the air. 

Austria's Burg Hochosterwitz in Kärnten.
Image by Johann Jaritz - Own work

8. Number of Castles in Europe

According to the Castellarium Anglicanum, Europe contains over 150,000 castle sites. While 800 or so of these contain castle ruins, just 300 castles remain at least partially intact and standing.

Windsor Castle, UK
Image by Sgt. Adrian Harlen, Ministry of Defense official photographer [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons

9. Oldest Occupied Castle

Alive and thriving at age 900 and counting, Windsor Castle holds its own as the oldest occupied castle in Europe. It started as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle built by William the Conquerer. Henry I upgraded the original castle to a stone structure and made other improvements. Windsor Castle has sheltered the families of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years. 

Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Bavaria, built by King Ludwig II.
Image by Cezary Piwowarski - Own work, GFDL

10. Sleeping Beauty Castle

Disney modeled the sleeping beauty castle after Neuschwanstein, a 19th-century castle built by Bavaria’s Ludwig II. This shy monarch built his castle as a private retreat. Today, more than 1.4 million people a year visit the “fairytale castle” he created.

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt's unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and whimsy creates breathtaking fictional worlds for readers. This multi-faceted storyteller writes in the historical fiction, romantic mystery, and epic fantasy genres. Janalyn is a history enthusiast and romantic. These elements appear in everything she writes.

Available Books by Janalyn Voigt

Beginning with DawnSinger, the epic fantasy series, Tales of Faeraven, carries readers into a land only imagined in dreams.

Upcoming Books by Janalyn Voigt

Hills of Nevermore, the first installment in Montana Gold, a historical romance series set during Montana's gold rush, releases in 2017.

Deceptive Tide (Islands of Intrigue: San Juans) a romantic suspense novel set in an island paradise off the coast of Washington state.

    Learn more about Janalyn Voigt and her books.   

Medieval Foods

The foods eaten in medieval times were both similar and different than those we enjoy today. In a castle, meals were usually taken in the great hall, a chamber often located on an upper floor. Servants carrying hot dishes from the kitchen (found on a lower level or in separate building) had to hurry to deliver food that still contained some warmth.

Class considerations dictated diets, the order in which people were served, and the way they behaved at table. Three meals were served: breakfast, dinner, and supper. The use of alcoholic beverages at meals in the Middle Ages was a  widespread preventative measure that guarded against contracting illnesses from drinking unsanitary water.

Illustration from The Decameron, Flanders, 1432. Paris, Biblioteque nationale, Département des manuscrits, Français 5070 fol. 132. {{PD-BnFMandragorePic}}  

Breakfast

For servants,breakfast might consist of a portion or coarse bread and some ale or cider. Those of noble birth ate cold sliced meat, cheese, white bread that had been thrice milled to remove impurities and improve its texture. and a cup of wine.

Dinner

 Served around midday, dinner was the main repast of the day. A trumpeter or cryer summoned the diners, and then pages would bring a wash bowl and poured water from elaborate pitchers so that those seated at the lord's table could wash their hands. Others washed in lavers before seating themselves at trestle tables below the dais elevating the lord's table. The benches they sat on might later serve as their beds.

Silver salt cellars sat on the tables and cups fashioned from silver, pewter, wood, or horn. More exotic materials for cups used by the nobility included ostrich eggs, agate, and gourds. Guests were expected to supply their own knives. Forks didn't come into popular use until the Renaissance period, and it was considered bad manners (and probably not very smart) to put food into your mouth with a knife. People either ate with spoons, as in the case of soups and stews, or with their fingers.

Visiting clergymen were the first served, followed by noble guests, the lord and his family, then the lower classes.Those at the lord's table were served from a silver platter while the common folk took their food from wooden platters. Until plates came into use late in the 14th century, flat pieces of bread known as trenchers held individual portions of food.

After the chaplain blessed the food, the first course would be served with bread and butter. Cupbearers made sure cups of wine, beer or ale did not run dry. Three or four courses usually made up a dinner. Elaborate feasts called for more courses that offered a stunning array of culinary delights.

Vegetables were considered food for commoners, so the lord and his guests dined mostly on meat and pastries. As might be imagined, this diet caused health complications.

A variety of flesh, fish, and fowl were consumed, including swans, peacocks, seals, dolphins, venison, and mutton. Common vegetables were onions, peas, beans, cabbage, parsley, shallots, and pot-herbs. Fruits eaten in the Middle Ages were apples, pears, plums, peaches, and nuts. These were cooked, since raw fruit was considered unhealthy. Meals ended with cheeses, cakes, wafers, spiced wine, cookies, waffles, and jellies.

After the diners finished eating, servants would gather the trenchers and bread liners to be distributed to the poor.

Merchants had a diet similar to that taken by the nobility, except that they also ate vegetables. Peasants in the country consumed more humble fare. They might take porridge, turnips, coarse bread, herbal salads dressed with vinegar or verjuice, and beer or ale. They could supplement with fish or pork and bacon, in season. Villagers might enjoy bread made from rye, barley, or wheat, plus peas or beans, oat cakes, porridge, fish, and cheese curds. They would wash down a meal with ale, mead, or cider.

Peasant meal.
Aristotle, Politiques et économiques, France, 15th century. Paris, Biblioteque nationale, Département des manuscrits, Français 22500.{{PD-BnFMandragorePic}}

Supper

Later in the day, it was time for a light supper that usually included a main dish, side dishes, and cheese. This meal ushered in the evening's entertainment.

A livery cupboard in or near the great hall welcomed unexpected guests in need of nourishment with bread, meat pies, cold meats, cheese, and libations. Some lords had livery cupboards in their chambers, but this was frowned upon as gluttonous by the church. 

Medieval Table Manners

Strict table manners were observed in the Middle Ages, with participants expected to wash their hands before eating, wipe their mouths before drinking (since cups were shared), take their food in small bites chewed slowly, avoid speaking with their mouths full, resist gnawing on bones, and leave their trencher for the poor. Some of the rules of etiquette they followed are still observed today. They weren't supposed to rest their elbows on the table, slurp their soup, belch at table, or feed scraps to dogs during the meal.. We find echoes of the rules they followed as we take our meals today.

About the Author

Escape into creative worlds of fiction with Janalyn Voigt, an author whose unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates breathtaking fictional worlds for readers.

Beginning with DawnSinger, Janalyn's epic fantasy series, Tales of Faeraven, carries readers into a land only imagined in dreams.

Janalyn is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, she loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors with her family.

Source

The Writer's Guide to Everday Life in the Middle Ages (The British Isles from 500 to 1500) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Storytelling in the Bardic Tradition

Escape into creative worlds of fiction.

Statue of Michael Hogan, the Bard of Thomond by Amyr95 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Bardic storytelling had an important role in the history of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Bards were once thought to wield magic, but actually fulfilled a more prosaic function by keeping history and culture alive through storytelling. This was especially important during the cultural decline following the fall of the Roman Empire.

The word, 'bard,' derives from a Gaelic word that means 'to sing praise.' When the term first came into usage, it was not bestowed as a compliment. Bards were considered rootless wanderers. However, the entertaining nature of their offerings, their usefulness to convey oral history, and their acceptance by the nobility soon elevated their status.

As the first writers, bards left behind manuscripts that have become invaluable in giving us an unaltered glimpse into a bygone world. The epic poem, Beowulf, is one example of this type of work, and a collection of ancient Gaelic manuscripts can be found in the National Library of Ireland.

Bards still exist today in many cultures, continuing the time-honored tradition of centuries. They are unique in combining arts, such as music, poetry, acting, sleight-of-hand, sound effects, and creative storytelling. A masterful bard can transfix an audience. A bard is only half the storytelling team, with the listener as the other.

Being transported into a story by a gifted storyteller can seem magical, so it's not difficult to understand why bards were thought to possess supernatural abilities. However, a bard's true power lies in the ability to inspire the readers' imagination. As a novelist, I know that as the lifeblood of storytelling. Right now, I'm studying bardic storytelling in preparation for my upcoming Story Circle Podcast, in which I'll answer the challenge of reading my original fiction in the bardic tradition.

Learn More About Janalyn Voigt's Story Circle Podcast.

About the Author

Escape into creative worlds of fiction with Janalyn Voigt. Her unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series that begins with DawnSinger, carries readers into a land only imagined in dreams. Janalyn is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, Janalyn loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors.

Animals in Medieval Heraldry

This post is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt. Escape into creative worlds of fiction.

As an author of allegorical Christian fantasy set in the middle ages, I am perhaps more tuned in to symbolism than the average person. That's whay I'm blaming for my fascination with medieval heraldry, anyway. Animals, important symbols in medievel heraldry, were divided into natural classifications like beasts, birds, sea creatures, and others. For purposes of brevity, I'll focus here on the most popular heraldic beasts found in nature. I cover mythical creatures and their symbolism at Fantasy Worlds, my fantasy book extras site.

By far the animal most often used in medieval heraldry was the lion, depicted standing erect with forepaws raised. One lower leg might also be raised as well. All heraldic beasts can most often be found in this rampant position. This was not necessarily how the animal represented would actually hold itself, but experience of exotic heraldic animals was limited, and rampant position seemed most natural to medieval artists.

Other beasts occurring often in heraldry include the wolf, bear, boar, horse, bull, and stag. All were used to convey specific meanings.

Symbolism of Popular Animals in Medieval Heraldry

Bear: represented a great warrior in Celtic heraldry and also served as the royal emblem for Persia and Russia. It was used to convey skill in diplomacy, strength, courage, and ferocity in defense. The bear also symbolized health.

Boar: stood for intrepidness and fierceness in combat. Even when cornered and at bay, a boar never stops fighting, so only the fiercest of warriors displayed this animal.

Bull: signaled courage, generosity, strength, and fortitude. It was also used to indicate a dedicated father.

Horse: symbol of speed, intellect, spirit, power, bravery, virility, and loyalty. It was used to show readiness for battle.

Lion: The lion displays the deathless courage of a valiant warrior, majesty, strength, justice, military might. The heraldic lion also symbolizes Christ due to a quaint notion of their compassion. They were said to attack man only and to spare women and children. Another source of the lion as a symbol of Christ is the Bible, itself, which describes the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. "Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals" Revelations 5:5 (NIV).

Stag: This emblem of the ancestors of the Celtic race shows the wisdom not to fight unless provoked. A favorite in Ireland, it is a symbol of peace and harmony, purity and fleetness. Its branch-like antlers are said to represent the Tree of Life. The regenerating of its antlers also makes the stag representative of renewal. The stag was also used as a symbol of healing.

Wolf: Symbolic of ferocious strength, intelligence, and bravery, the wolf was thought to be able to paralyze its enemies with a look. A wolf crest was granted for loyal military service in a guardianship capacity.

I've covered the most popular heraldic animals. Do you have a favorite?

Below you will find links for further study and to look up your own family's coat of arms, if one exists. Discovering the meanings it contains can be very enlightening when considered in light of your family history.

About Janalyn Voigt

Escape into creative worlds of fiction with Janalyn Voigt. Her unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries the reader into a land only imagined in dreams.

Janalyn is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA.

When she's not writing, Janalyn loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors.

Visit the author site for Janalyn Voigt
Further Reading

http://www.internationalheraldry.com/

http://www.hallofnames.org.uk/heraldry-symbols-what-they-mean

http://www.dksdesigns.net/symbolism.html


Research Your Family's Coat of Arms

http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp/qx/faq.htm