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Back to homepageThe First Collection of Manx Ever Published
One of the great landmarks in the history of Celtic scholarship was the publication of the first volume of Edward Lhuyd’s ‘Archaeologia Britannica’ at Oxford in 1707. This first volume, of a series he did not live to complete, was
Read MoreBallaugh Old Parish Church
A parish church existed in Ballaugh, and presumably on the place where we now stand, at least as long ago as the year 1231, when it is mentioned in a Papal bull. It has continuously been dedicated to St. Mary,
Read MoreThe Fodder Jury
It was very difficult to keep enough fodder for the cattle in the winter. They had not much store of winter food, and they bruised gorse with mallets, in a stone trough, made of rough stones placed on end about
Read MoreA Handbook of Norse Mythology
FREE DOWNLOAD: A Handbook of Norse Mythology (1913). This is lovely to read (not at all stuffy). Available in various formats including .pdf and Kindle, or view it online. http://bit.ly/1a1xXH6
Read MoreEdmund Goodwin
There have been in the past, vital personalities who have surmounted physical handicaps and I think we should salute a Peel man, all too little known, who was such a personality, becoming, despite life-long infirmaties, a distinguished scholar and linguist,
Read MoreManslayers and Sanctuary
Until “Prowess,” or private vengeance, was made illegal by Tynwald Court held at Keeill Abban in 1429, a manslayer fleeing from the relatives of the victim often took refuge in Church or on other holy ground. But he was not
Read MoreThe Surnames & Place-Names of the Isle of Man
FREE DOWNLOAD: The Surnames & Place-Names of the Isle of Man by A W Moore (1890). Wonderful resource with plenty of reference to Celtic, Norse and purely Manx names. Available in various formats including PDF, Kindle or read it online.
Read MoreThe Water Bayliff
The Water Bayliff was not only an important figure in the Island’s maritime activities, but his office reaches very far back in our nation’s history. One of the Customary Laws of 1422 reads: “Alsoe be it ordained that the Water
Read MoreAnglo-Manx Dialect
A few more words of the Anglo-Manx dialect. MANNINAGH = belonging to the Isle of Man “He’s a Manninagh dooie and she’s a Ben-vanninagh-dooie.” (He’s a native/true Manxman and she’s a native/true Manxwoman) SNOG = a nod “Always givin’ a
Read MoreThe Use of Dust in Magic
A hare, or rather a Witch in the shape of a hare, was crossing a field and stood still to stare at a team of horses employed in ploughing, when, to the horror of the ploughman, they instantly dropped dead
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