Canterbury Charm

The Canterbury Charm is an Old English runic charm discovered inserted in the margin of an Anglo-Saxon manuscript from the year 1073.^[1]

The charm is translated as:

Cyril wound-cause, go now! You are found. May Thor bless you, lord of ogres! Gyril wound-causer. Against blood-vessel pus!^[1]

The charm is intended for use against a specific ailment, described as "blood-vessel pus." MacLeod and Mees (2006) note that while Thor is not revered in surviving sources for his medical abilities, he was well attested as harboring enmity towards giants and as a protector of mankind. MacLeod and Mees compare the charm to the 11th-century Kvinneby amulet (where Thor is also called upon to provide protection), the formula structure of the Sigtuna amulet, and a then-recently discovered rib bone featuring a runic inscription also from Sigtuna, Sweden.^[1]

Notes

1 2 3 Macleod and Mees, Bernard (2006:120).

References

Macleod, Mindy. Mees, Bernard (2006). Runic Amulets and Magic Objects. Boydell Press ISBN 1-84383-205-4

Anglo-Saxon paganism and mythology

Gods and divine figures	Beowa Ēostre Frige Gefjon Hretha Ing Saxnot Þunor Tiw Wade Wayland the Smith Wōden

Heroic figures	Ægil Beowa Eormenric Finn Hengist and Horsa Sceafa Waldere

Other beings	Cofgod Elf Ides Dwarf (Dweorh) Eoten/Thurs Mare Wælcyrge Wight

Locations	Middangeard Neorxnawang

Sources	Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Æcerbot Anglo-Saxon calendar Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Beowulf De temporum ratione Deor Ealuscerwen Finnesburg Fragment Franks Casket Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum Nine Herbs Charm Old English language Spong Hill Sutton Hoo Widsith Wið færstice

Origins	Germanic paganism (Angles Frisii Jutes Saxons)

Society and culture	Anglo-Saxon law Anglo-Saxon runes Anglo-Saxon burial Bēot Blōtan Calendar Folkmoot Frith Hearg Maypole Moot hill Scop Symbel Thegn Thing Thyle Weregild Wicce Wilweorthunga Wyrd Yule

Neopagan revival	Fyrnsidu Seax-Wica Theodism

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