The Elf Queen
The Queen of Elphame, Elf-Hame, or the Queen of Elf Home, or the Elf Queen, or Queen of the Fairies. This is not an unusual jump in reasoning, but did you know that she was also mentioned in multiple witch trial documentation?
The Queens shapeshifting is well documented in many stories. It is also well known that fairy folk can become very nasty, vindictive, and dangerous if they feel mistreated or slighted.
The Origin Story
At the trial of Alison Pearson (Alesoun Peirsoun) in 1588, it was determined that she knew the Fairy Queen quite well and visited Elf-Home many times. It turns out that Alison's relative (possibly her uncle) taught her skills in herbalism which she used to help others and she received payment for these skills, which probably sealed her fate.
It was also documented that the Fairy Queen's minions would let Alison forage for herbs with them but that they would beat her so badly she was often bedridden for weeks afterwards.
Similarly in 1598 a man called Andrew Man of Aberdeen confessed that he saw "his master the Devil" in the female form of the Queen of the Fairies. Furthermore, he had a physical relationship with her over a period of 32 years and had many children together.
A few years earlier in 1576 Bessie Dunlop confessed that she had carnal knowledge of a being who lived at Elf-Hame, but when the creatures came to take her to the Elf Court she refused to go and that made them angry. The Elf Queen came to her when she was giving birth and told her that her child would die.
Key Locations
Perched at an elevation of 315 meters, the Old Fawdon Hill Trig Point stands as a prominent feature in Northumberland's Ingram Valley. Local legend says this hill is home to Queen Mab, the famous queen of the fairies.
Old Fawdon Hill
The Cheviot is an extinct volcano and the highest summit in the Cheviot Hills and in the county of Northumberland. The Hen Hole is a dramatic, rugged ravine in the Cheviot Hills is historically tied to tales of fairies and woodland spirits.
Hen Hole
Located in Alnwick, this modern garden features a giant wooden treehouse, a bamboo labyrinth, and Lilidorei—a mystical, interactive village filled with magical clan houses, fairy tales, and troll stories
The Alnwick Garden
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