Against a Dwarf
Encyclopedia
Against a Dwarf is an Anglo-Saxon metrical charm
found in the Lacnunga
. The charm was written in alliterative verse in half lines and was used for its assumed curative properties, although what the charm is supposed to be curing is still a matter of debate.
, a being from Anglo-Saxon mythology, might originally have been a night demon of some kind. The night demon, according to this theory, could possibly have been the personification of the illness.
Most theories that speculate that the dwarf represents some kind of disease usually think that the disease is related to sleeping because of the inclusion of the Seven Sleepers
in the charm. According to one source, “The names of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus occur in various charms of the Middle Ages. They are usually, as might be expected, to secure sleep, but in some cases are to be employed against fever".
Matthew Lewis also believes that the charm is related to helping someone who is having trouble sleeping, and he believes that knowing the origin of the word nightmare
is key to understanding the charm. Although the etymology of nightmare is somewhat disputed, the word can possibly be translated as meaning “night monster,” specifically a monster that crushes and binds its victims. Sometimes the night monster is thought to sexually abuse its victims. According to Lewis, the dwarf in this charm is a manifestation of a night monster, as dwarfs were linked to the idea of evil spirits and thought to be capable of causing physical harm.
Anglo-Saxon Metrical Charms
Twelve Metrical Charms survive in Old English, in two medieval manuscripts, Bald's Leechbook and Lacnunga . They are:*Æcerbot*Against a Dwarf*Against a Wen*A Journey Charm*For a Swarm of Bees...
found in the Lacnunga
Lacnunga
The Lacnunga is a collection of miscellaneous Anglo-Saxon medical texts and prayers, written mainly in Old English and Latin. It is found, following other medical texts, in London, British Library Manuscript Harley 585, a codex probably compiled in England in the late tenth or early eleventh century...
. The charm was written in alliterative verse in half lines and was used for its assumed curative properties, although what the charm is supposed to be curing is still a matter of debate.
Possible meanings
Some scholars believe that the charm was supposed to help victims sleep more easily if they were suffering from a disease that caused convulsions. Another theory is that the dwarfDwarf (Germanic mythology)
In Germanic mythology, a dwarf is a being that dwells in mountains and in the earth, and is associated with wisdom, smithing, mining, and crafting...
, a being from Anglo-Saxon mythology, might originally have been a night demon of some kind. The night demon, according to this theory, could possibly have been the personification of the illness.
Most theories that speculate that the dwarf represents some kind of disease usually think that the disease is related to sleeping because of the inclusion of the Seven Sleepers
Seven Sleepers
The Seven Sleepers, commonly called the "Seven Sleepers of Ephesus", refers to a group of Christian youths who hid inside a cave outside the city of Ephesus around 250 AD, to escape a persecution of Christians being conducted during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius...
in the charm. According to one source, “The names of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus occur in various charms of the Middle Ages. They are usually, as might be expected, to secure sleep, but in some cases are to be employed against fever".
Matthew Lewis also believes that the charm is related to helping someone who is having trouble sleeping, and he believes that knowing the origin of the word nightmare
Nightmare
A nightmare is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong negative emotional response from the mind, typically fear or horror, but also despair, anxiety and great sadness. The dream may contain situations of danger, discomfort, psychological or physical terror...
is key to understanding the charm. Although the etymology of nightmare is somewhat disputed, the word can possibly be translated as meaning “night monster,” specifically a monster that crushes and binds its victims. Sometimes the night monster is thought to sexually abuse its victims. According to Lewis, the dwarf in this charm is a manifestation of a night monster, as dwarfs were linked to the idea of evil spirits and thought to be capable of causing physical harm.