John Cowper Powys: A Glastonbury Romance

A Reader’s Companion

W. J. Keith

December 2005
.

“Reader’s Companions” by Prof. W.J. Keith to other Powys works are available at:

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 John Cowper Powys: A Glastonbury Romance, A Reader’s Companion
W. J. Keith
October 2004
University College,
University of Toronto,
Toronto, M5S 3H7,
Canada.

Preface
The aim of this list is to provide background information that will enrich a reading of Powys’s novel. It
glosses biblical, literary, and other allusions, identifies quotations, explains geographical and historical
references, and offers any commentary that may throw light on the more complex aspects of the text.
Biblical citations are from the King James (Authorized) Version. (When any quotation is involved, the
passage is listed under the first word even if it is “a” or “the”.)
References are to the first edition of A Glastonbury Romance, but I follow G. Wilson Knight’s example
in including the equivalent page-numbers of the 1955 Macdonald edition (which are also those of the
1975 Picador edition), here in square brackets. Cuts were made in the latter edition, mainly in the
“Wookey Hole” chapter. When no square brackets are given, the passage appears only in the original
edition. References to JCP’s other works are also to first editions or to reprints reproducing the original
pagination, with the following exceptions: Wolf Solent (London: Macdonald, 1961), Weymouth Sands
(London: Macdonald, 1963), Maiden Castle (ed. Ian Hughes. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1990),
Porius (ed. Wilbur T. Albrecht. Hamilton, NY: Colgate University Press, 1994), Psychoanalysis and
Morality (London: Village Press, 1975), The Owl, the Duck and—Miss Rowe! Miss Rowe! (London:
Village Press, 1975), and A Philosophy of Solitude, in which the first English edition is used. Details of
all other books and articles quoted (and details of JCP’s posthumously published writings) will be
found in the concluding “Works Cited.”
Common universal references are ignored, but, except for the most obvious (e.g., “London”), all British
geographical references are glossed. Phrases and quotations from foreign languages are translated even
when elementary. I usually give page-references only to the first appearance of a word or phrase, unless
later references seem significant. However, the occurrences of all artistic and literary allusions are included.
In referring to Arthurian and Grail scholarship, I have concentrated on the work of older scholars (R. S.
Loomis, John Rhys, Jessie L. Weston) because these are the authorities that JCP used. Many of their
theories have now, of course, been superseded.
A street-map of Glastonbury, marked by JCP, is reproduced in Dante Thomas (39), in Rands, “Aspects”
(27), and on the cover of Powys Review 9 (1981–2).
I would like to record special thanks to James Carley, Kate Kavanagh and Susan Rands, who read a
preliminary version of these annotations and provided valuable corrections and additions. And I am
especially grateful to Jacqueline Peltier for her efforts to make these annotations accessible to interested
readers on the Internet and the Powys Society website, and for converting them to convenient booklet-
form.
Any further corrections and amplifications are welcomed, and will be incorporated in subsequent
updatings. These may be sent either to myself or to Mme. Peltier.

W.J.K.
3
4 A Glastonbury Romance

Abbey Theatre in Dublin (333 [325]) — The famous Irish

A theatre where many of the plays of Sean O’Casey, J. M. Synge,
“A grave for Mark ...” (epigraph) — A translation of a stanza and W. B. Yeats were first performed.
from “The Song of the Graves” in The Black Book of Abbot’s Kitchen (513 [496]) — A building within the
Carmarthen. JCP clearly derived it from Rhys’s Studies (19). Glastonbury Abbey ruins, which survived the Dissolution
The meaning of the third line has been much discussed; it is intact.
probably “Nobody can say where Arthur’s grave is” (Padel
[50]). “... anoeth ... refers to something difficult to acquire, Abbot’s Tribunal (339, 654 [330, 629]) — A substantial
hidden, precious, a wonder” (David Jones [213]), and is merchant’s house in Glastonbury High Street, now the
sometimes translated as “the world’s wonder.” Geoffrey Ashe Glastonbury Museum. Until recently, it was thought to be
notes that the line could also be translated as “Concealed till the monastery’s court-hall. (Information from James Carley.)
the Judgment Day the grave of Arthur,” and comments: “Its Abishag (1091 [1042]) — The Shunamite woman chosen
essential meaning is clear: ‘Don’t ask questions.’ The poet is to lie with the aged David to keep him warm in 1 Kings
aware of a secret” (King [117]). JCP’s use of the stanza here 1:1–3.
immediately casts doubt on the claim that Arthur’s grave is
in Glastonbury. abstracted trance (301 [294]) — Cf. the characteristic JCP
hero’s sinking into his soul. It is interesting that here the
“a great good place” (26 [45]; cf. 169 [179]) — The title of condition is attributed to Socrates (q.v.).
a short story by Henry James, first published in The Soft
Side (1900). Also quoted in The Inmates (239, 240), Dorothy Acheron (1027 [981]) — A river in the Classical underworld.
M. Richardson (44) and The Dorset Year (274). So, “Acherontic” (340 [332]).

à quatre (1094 [1045]) — involving four [people] (French). Achilles (272 [268]) — The hero of Homer’s Iliad. He had
a pair of immortal horses, Xanthos and Balios; these led the
a second figure ... sorceress (343) — In the 1955 edition, chariot when Achilles killed Hector (see Books 19 and 21).
this reads: “the still recumbent figure of Mr. Geard” (334). They are also mentioned in Autobiography (388).
(See Smith article.)
acquainted with fear (592 [570]) — A possibly unconscious
“A thousand years were as one day” (677 [650]) — From echo of “acquainted with grief ” (Isaiah 53:3).
Psalm 90, perhaps via Isaac Watts’s hymn “O God our help
in ages past ...” (noted by Kate Kavanagh). Aeolian harp (640 [615]) — A supposedly natural musical
instrument by which strings emitted sounds when played
‘à trois’ (121 [133]) — ‘involving three’ (French), usually upon by the wind. “Aeolus-breath” (583 [561]) is the sound
referring to an unorthodox situation where a person of one conveyed on the wind. Aeolus was the god of the winds.
sex lives with two people of the opposite sex.
Aestiva Regio (596 [573]) — Summer region (Latin),
“a wide solution” (98 [112]) — Sir Thomas Browne, mentioned by Rhys, Studies (329, 346). Almost certainly a
Hydriotaphia, Urn-Burial (ch.5). Also quoted in Wood and name for Somerset.
Stone (530), The Complex Vision (202) and Jack and Frances
(I 54). affairs of men (1115 [1102]) — An apparent echo of
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (IV iii 218), also quoted in Mortal
Abbey Barn (204 [211]) — The fourteenth-century tithe- Strife (161).
barn on Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, well known for its
carvings in stone of the symbols of the four Evangelists: a After Wookey Hole, when ... (892) — This becomes simply
lion for Matthew, an ox for Mark, a man for Luke, and an “When ...” in the 1955 edition (854). (See Smith article.)
eagle for John. In JCP’s time it was still in use; it is now a Agamemnon (258 [254]) — Mycenean leader at Troy, slain
Rural Life Museum. on his return by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover
Abbey House (18 [37]) — A large house overlooking the Aegisthus; see Aeschylus’s play Agamemnon.
east end of the Abbey ruins, inhabited in the novel by Agapé (103 [117]) — Spiritual love (Greek), the Pauline
Euphemia Drew. Along with the Ruins, it was auctioned in “charity” of the King James Version.
1907 (see “Bishop” below, and Carley 1988 [175]). There is
Agathos-Dikaios (733 [703]) — Implying goodness and
a photograph of its gateway in Rands (“Aspects” [34]).
righteousness. JCP is wrong, however, in attributing the
Abbey Ruins (18 [37]) — The ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, words to St. John. In fact, they are to be found in Luke
suppressed at the Reformation. See also “Bishop.” JCP’s 23:50, translated in the King James Version as “a good man
statement that they are “just distinguishable among the trees” and a just.”
from Glastonbury Tor is denied by Ashe (King [14]), though
Agincourt (64 [80]) — Scene of the battle in 1415 where
the Abbot’s Kitchen (q.v.) is currently visible (2004), along
the forces of Henry V defeated those of the French.
with parts fo the Abbey. JCP includes “the Ruins of
Glastonbury” in a list of objects that can change “one’s whole “airy syllables” (1118 [1067]) — Adapted from Milton’s
life” (The Meaning of Culture [268]). Comus (l.208), also quoted in One Hundred Best Books (15).
A Reader’s Companion 5

Aladdin’s cave (355 [345]) — The owner of the magic lamp, Ancient British boat (676 [649]) — From the Lake Village
whose story is told in the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments. (q.v.). After JCP’s time, the Glastonbury Museum was moved
to the Abbot’s Tribunal.
“alarums and excursions” (865 [828]) — Standard stage-
directions in Shakespearean battle-scenes. Also referred to and nothing said (412 [399]) — For JCP if not for Number
extensively in his novels (e.g., Wolf Solent [259]), and in Two, an allusion to Milton’s poem “Lycidas” (l.129). One of
“Thomas Hardy and His Times” (829), The Pleasures of JCP’s favourite quotations; see also Wood and Stone (442,
Literature (55), and In Spite Of (194). 541), After My Fashion (215), Ducdame (165, 323), Visions
and Revisions (77), etc.
Albertus Magnus (249 [245]) — Medieval philosopher and
scientist (c.1206–80), one of the great scholars of the Middle Andover (75 [91]) — A town east of Salisbury.
Ages, a teacher of Aquinas. He is a character in JCP’s later
Aneurin (728 [699]) — Usually Aneirin, the late sixth-
novel The Brazen Head.
century author of Y Gododdin, one of the most ancient of
Alder Dyke (50 [67]) — A stream in the area of Northwold, surviving Welsh poems about a battle in northern England
also mentioned in Autobiography (149). JCP revisited the or southern Scotland.
dyke with Littleton on 4 August 1929 (see Diary 1929 [59–
“Angels one and two and three ...” (697 [669]) —
60]), when they borrowed a key for the rowing-boat in much
Traditional song?
the same circumstances as those reported in ch.2. See also
Richard Perceval Graves (219), Littleton Powys’s The Joy of “animula, vagula, blandula” (957 [915]) — Literally, “gentle,
It (83, 84, 89, 90), and a JCP letter to Littleton in Humfrey fleeting, wandering spirit” (Latin), the opening line of a poem
(325). ascribed to the dying Emperor Hadrian, addressed to his
soul. JCP may have derived it from Walter Pater’s Marius the
Aldhelm, Saint (333 [325]) — At various times Abbot of
Epicurean, where it is quoted as an epigraph. Also quoted in
Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne (639–709), described
Rodmoor (431), Ducdame (16), Wolf Solent (351), Porius
by Llewelyn as “the Father of Dorset and one of the most
(498), and frequently in his non-fiction prose.
lovable of the Saxon saints” (Somerset Essays [179]). His spirit
makes a brief appearance in Two and Two (24). Llewelyn Annwn (1120 [1068]) — The Celtic Otherworld.
also wrote an essay on “St. Aldhelm’s Head,” a headland on Anselm [Saint] (249) — Norman saint (1033–1109),
the Dorset coast, in Dorset Essays (87–92). appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by William II but later
Alexander (370 [359]) — Alexander the Great (356–323 involved in a dispute over church lands.
BC), Macedonian leader, who established a vast empire anti-Pauline — See under “Johannine.”
extending to India. According to tradition, he killed his friend
Clytus in a drunken brawl. He died at the age of thirty-two. Antony (698 [670]) — Marcus Antonius (82–30 BC), one
of the Second Triumvirate with Lepidus and Octavius Caesar;
Alfred (1044 [997]) — King of the West Saxons (849–c.899) the latter defeated him at the Battle of Actium. See
from 871 until his death, Alfred the Great succeeded in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.
defeating the Danes and unifying the country.
Aphrodite (127, 241 [139]) — The Greek goddess of love,
Alham [River] (267 [262]) — A river joining the River Brue
to whom Paris awarded the prize in the Judgment of Paris,
just west of Castle Cary, some eight miles southeast of
and was rewarded with Helen of Troy (q.v.).
Glastonbury.
Apocalypse (1112 [1062]) — Another name for the Book
Alice (514 [496]) — The hatter is a prominent figure in “A
of Revelation. “Apocalyptic Beings” (204 [211]) are the
Mad Tea-Party,” the seventh chapter of Lewis Carroll’s Alice
symbols and images mentioned in Revelation. See also “Head
in Wonderland (1865).
in the Apocalypse.”
altar ... that had been used in the original wattle edifice
Apocrypha (614 [590]) — Mr. Stilly’s father is technically
(562 [541]) — See “Wattle Church” and “St. Patrick’s
correct, since the original meaning of the word refers to non-
Chapel.”
canonical Jewish texts not officially accepted into the Hebrew
Altar Stone (84, 85 [99, 100]) — A recumbent stone within Scriptures but included in the Greek (Septuagint) and Latin
the U-shaped set of trilithons in Stonehenge. (Vulgate) translations of “Old Testament” texts. However,
in recent times early Christian texts that were not admitted
“alter ego” (318 [311]) — other self (Latin).
into the Christian Bible have been increasingly referred to as
Ambrosianus Merlinus (552 [532]) — See “Merlinus the New Testament Apocrypha (cf. M. R. James, The
Ambrosianus.” Apocryphal New Testament [1924]).
Ameriky (8 [28]) — America (dialect). apple of discord (838 [803]) — point of contention, derived
from the Greek story of Eris presenting an apple for “the
Amesbury (89 [104]) — Eight miles north of Salisbury,
most beautiful,” which led to the Judgment of Paris and
Wiltshire. Here Guinevere is said to have entered a nunnery
ultimately to the Trojan War.
after the death of Arthur (822 [788]).
6 A Glastonbury Romance

aquarium (101 [115]) — This image derives from the Aristotelian (299 [293]) — Relating to Aristotle (384–322
aquarium kept by the Powyses in Rothesay House in BC), Greek philosopher. The “Aristotelian effect” experienced
Dorchester when they were children. See JCP’s comments by Mat Dekker is “catharsis” (see two lines below), the
in Autobiography (59). purification of emotion through art that Aristotle writes
about in his Poetics.
Aquinas, [Saint] Thomas (249 [245]) — Italian theologian
(c.1226–74), often regarded as the greatest scholar of the arrière-pensée (778 [746]) — a second thought (French) as
medieval Church. His synthesis of Christian and Aristotelian used by JCP in this context.
thought came to be known as Thomism, and is contained in
Artemis (321 [313]) — Daughter of Zeus and sister of
his Summa Theologica.
Apollo, well known as a virgin huntress. Known to the
‘Arabia Deserta’ (486, 870 [470, 833]) — Travels in Arabia Romans as Diana. For Persephone’s “Artemis” nature, see
Deserta (1888) by C. M. Doughty (1843–1926) is a prose 322 [314].
work notable for its distinctive if somewhat antiquated style.
Arthur, King (epigraph, 166 [175]; cf. 105–6 [118–9]) —
JCP reviewed it, under the title “Children of Adam,” in the
The figure of Arthur comes down to us in two main forms:
Dial 85 (May 1927), 403–6. Also praised in The Meaning of
as the wholly fictional hero of Arthurian romance and as the
Culture (36–7) and In Defence of Sensuality (248).
military leader of the British against the Saxons who may or
Arawn (728 [699]) — King of Annwn (Hades), who changes may not have some faint basis in historical reality. The Arthur
places with Pwyll Prince of Dyfed in the first story in the of Glastonbury belongs in the former category; the supposed
collection of ancient Welsh tales known as the Mabinogion. discovery of his grave in the grounds of the Abbey in c.1191
occurred so conveniently that it is best, in the absence of
Arcadia (26, 203 [45, 210]) — The idealized landscape of
further evidence, to regard it as a construct of political need
Pastoral, an imaginary world very different from the bleak
rather than a result of archaeological endeavour. Though the
geographical region in Greece.
incident takes its place in the “romance” of Arthur’s life and
Archangel (807, 1172 [774, 1118]) — Michael (q.v.), here adventures, it was probably designed to scotch a possible
the patron saint of the church on Glastonbury Tor. Arthurian mystique. “Arthur proved safely dead and buried
architect (733, 1122 [703, 1070]) — Based on JCP’s in English territory would act as a deterrent to potential Celtic
architect-brother, A. R. Powys. See the “Author’s Note” nationalism” (Carley 1988 [158]).
immediately preceding the text and JCP’s letter to Littleton The author of the Historia Brittonum, now no
in Humfrey (329). longer attributed to Nennius but still dated c.830, was “the
Ares (241, 376 [365]) — The Greek god of war. According earliest (at least, the earliest whose works survive) to use the
to Homer, the gods intervened in the Trojan War on behalf name Arthur of a British warrior-figure of the Dark Ages”
of the beleaguered Trojans but Diomedes (Diomed), the most (Higham [74]). The first connection of Arthur with
distinguished Greek fighter after Achilles, succeeded in Glastonbury is found in Caradog of Llancarfan’s Life of St.
wounding both Aphrodite and Ares. See Homer’s Iliad (Book Gildas in the early twelfth century, about the same time as
5). Ares was also the lover of Aphrodite, wife of Hephaestus, William of Malmesbury and Geoffrey of Monmouth, but
who caught them in a net and exposed them to the laughter he makes no reference to Arthur’s burial there. William of
of the other gods. See Homer and the Aether (99, 111). Malmesbury, a generally reliable historian for his period, also
appears totally unaware of Arthur’s Glastonbury connection
Argo (237) — In Greek mythology the ship in which the (see Treharne [40–41]), and Geoffrey of Monmouth, while
Argonauts, under Jason, sailed in search of the Golden Fleece. recounting the story of Arthur’s being taken to Avalon (q.v.)
It was so named because it was built by Argus, son of Phrixus. after the Battle of Camlan, never makes the identification
See the Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius. with Glastonbury. The Glastonbury monks were, however,
Arianrod (727 [697]) — The sister of Gwydion whose able to connect the legends of Joseph of Arimathea with those
actions, accurately recounted by Angela Beere, are recorded of King Arthur, the fourteenth-century John of Glastonbury
in “Math Son of Mathonwy” in The Mabinogion. Usually asserting that Arthur was descended from Joseph’s nephew
“Arianrhod.” JCP follows Lady Charlotte Guest’s usage. (see Watkin [22]). For Joseph’s supposed burial there, see
“St. John the Baptist’s Church.”
Arimathean (1017 [972]) — Relating to Joseph of
Arimathea (q.v.). The adjective is not common, and JCP In Autobiography (502) JCP recounts that the Welsh
may derive it from Tennyson’s “The Holy Grail” (l.51) in miner’s question to Geard, “when [do] you think King Arthur
The Idylls of the King. (Suggestion from James Carley.) is going to come back?” (1138 [1086]), was asked of himself
on an American lecture-tour. Cf. Diary 1930 (35). Later, in
Aristophanic (614, 619 [590, 595]) — Relating to Porius, JCP portrays Arthur as “that heroic Romanized
Aristophanes (c.444–c.380 BC), Greek comic dramatist, Welshman” (Obstinate Cymric [94]). See also “The books
notorious for his satiric and parodic treatment of traditionally say that Arthur ...”
sacred subjects.
A Reader’s Companion 7

arts-and-crafts (541 [522]) — A late nineteenth-century Augustine, Saint (249 [246]) — Christian theologian and
movement influenced by William Morris’s ideas about art philosopher (354–430), Bishop of Hippo, famous for his
and design. religious writings, especially The City of God and his
Confessions (q.v.).
Arviragus (584 [562]) — According to tradition, Arviragus,
the father of King Coel or Cymbeline, whose legendary Aunt Elizabeth (7, 1106–7 [27, 1056–8]) — Elizabeth
history is told by Geoffrey of Monmouth, allowed Joseph of Crow. It is interesting to note that JCP originally intended
Arimathea to settle in Glastonbury. that she should die in the “Iron Bar” chapter, but Phyllis
Playter recommended the change; see Diary 1931 (202, 206,
as cats lap milk (857 [820]) — An echo of Shakespeare’s
208, 212).
The Tempest (II i 288). Also alluded to in Wood and Stone
(299). Aunt Sally (364 [354]) — Originally a fairground game in
which missiles were thrown at a wooden head attached to a
“as white as wool” (73 [89]) — Revelation 1:14. Cf. Daniel
pole; as an image, something set up to be knocked down.
7:9, and see “Head in the Apocalypse.” A favourite quotation
of Theodore, who uses it in Mr. Weston’s Good Wine (ch.1) that Austrian (732 [702]) — A Puckish, indirect reference
and elsewhere. to Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) and his psychological
theories.
Asham Wood (93 [108]) — About five miles southwest of
Frome, Somerset. Avallach, King (183, 771 [192, 739]) — A lord of the dead,
whose name may have contributed to the legends associated
Ashbury Camp in Cornwall (751 [720]) — At Week St.
with Avalon (q.v.). JCP’s information probably came from
Mary, south of Bude. Discussed by Loomis as a strong
Rhys (Studies [336–7]). To Loomis (Celtic Myth [189–90])
candidate for the Castle of Pelles, the Grail Castle (Celtic
he is also a solar deity, and again linked with Glastonbury.
Myth [198–200]).
In Porius (87) he is acknowledged as the father of Nineue.
Asmodeus (1086 [1021]) — An evil demon in the See also “Daughters of Avallach.”
apocryphal Book of Tobit.
Avalon (115 [127]), Avallonia (183 [192]) — The “Isle of
astonished to see ... sorceress (342–3) — In the 1955 Apples” traditionally the place to which Arthur was taken
edition, this passage reads: “astonished to see the still after the Battle of Camlan to heal his wounds. For possible
recumbent figure of Mr Geard” (334). There is no section- origins of the name, see Watkin (16) and Carley 1988 (162).
break. Interpretation of the story depends, however, as Carley has
Athelney (957 [916]) — Between Glastonbury and Taunton, noted (164), on whether we believe that “Arthur’s tomb was
famous as the place where King Alfred reputedly burnt the found at Glastonbury because Glastonbury was identified
cakes. More historically, it is the place where he lay in hiding as Avalon” or that “Glastonbury was identified as Avalon
before rallying and defeating the Danes. because tradition suggested that Arthur was buried there.”
The current state of historical research favours the second
Athling (333, 529–30 [325, 510]) — The word “atheling” alternative. “Geoffrey [of Monmouth] never identifies
means “of princely or noble blood.” ‘Avalon’ with Glastonbury or with any other place” (Treharne
Atlantis (886–7 [848–9]) — A legendary island in the [68]). Avalon is, however, clearly identified as Glastonbury
Atlantic producing a high civilization that is supposed to in Perlesvaus (Branch 10). The identification first appears in
have sunk beneath the ocean. It was described by Plato in De Principis Instructione (c.1194) by Giraldus Cambrensis,
his Timaeus and Critias. The Druids were said to be survivors accepting the authenticity of the tombstone supposedly
of the catastrophe. JCP frequently used the phrase “Lost excavated a few years earlier (Treharne [97–8]). However,
Atlantis” (with a capital L) elsewhere—including Maiden Avalon has been given alternative locations elsewhere,
Castle (7), “Edeyrnion [2]” (117), Porius (4, etc.), and in including Gwynedd (see Lapidge [137]).
Atlantis (219, etc.), where Odysseus is presented as visiting NB: “Avalonia” is the preferred spelling, though “Avallonia”
the underwater city. The adjective “Atlantean” (463 [448]), appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth and John Leland.
however, refers to Atlas, the Titan said to uphold the world.
“Avanti!” (551 [521]) — ”Come on!” (Italian) as used by
Attar of Roses (520 [502]) — A perfume derived from JCP in this context.
flower-petals.
Avernus (1047 [1001]) — A lake near Cumae in Italy which
Atwelle, Richard (506 [489]) — A historical figure, whose became associated with the entry to the underworld. Here
tomb (1476) is still to be seen in St. John’s Church. JCP is Aeneas makes the descent to the other world in Virgil’s Aeneid
here quoting John Leland on Atwelle’s contribution to the (Book 6).
church (see Rands, “Aspects” [35]).
Avicenna (249 [245]) — Arab physician and philosopher
Au contraire (1040 [994]) — On the contrary (French). (980–1037), a commentator on Aristotle who tried to unite
Auerbach’s cellar (1053 [1006]) — Setting for a climactic Aristotelianism and Platonism.
scene in Goethe’s Faust.
8 A Glastonbury Romance

Axe, River (170 [179]) — A Somerset river that flows into of Creiddylad in Porius (551), while the setting recalls that
Weston Bay and the Bristol Channel just south of Weston- of Abbot Whiting (q.v.). JCP draws upon his own experience
super-Mare. for the bullying of Barter at Greylands/Sherborne.
Aztec (434 [421]) — Relating to an Amerindian civilization Baskerville (1012 [967]) — A style of printing type named
flourishing in central Mexico in the fourteenth and fifteenth after John Baskerville (1706–75).
centuries.
Bastille (166 [175]) — Paris prison destroyed at the time of
the French Revolution.

B Batcombe (225 [231]) — A village about eight miles

southwest of Frome in Somerset, north of Bruton.
Baby Bunting (375 [364]) — From the children’s rhyme
Batemoor (1168 [1114]) — An area near Montacute about
“Bye Baby Bunting / Daddy’s gone a-hunting.” Kate
which Llewelyn writes in “A Montacute Field” (A Baker’s
Kavanagh (private correspondence) notes its relevance in
Dozen [86]).
context to the subject of fatherhood. Also referred to in
Weymouth Sands (397). Bath (162 [211]) — The famous Roman town and spa in
Somerset.
Bacchanalian (571 [550]) — Relating to a festival in honour
of Bacchus, the god of wine in Classical myth. Battle-of-Hastings (130 [142]) — The battle in Kent in
1066, when William of Normandy defeated and killed King
Backwear Farm (175 [184]) — West Backwear, the site of
Harold. William succeeded as William I (William the
the Lake Village (q.v.), is one and a half miles northwest of
Conqueror).
Glastonbury.
Battle of Sedgemoor — See “Sedgemoor.”
Balaam’s ass (265 [261]) — The story of Balaam and his ass
(which is temporarily endowed with the gift of speech by Bawdrip (813 [779]) — A village some nine miles west of
God) is told in Numbers 22. Glastonbury.
Balin/Balyn (326, 351, 728 [319, 342, 699]) — In the Grail Bayeux Tapestry (238, 696 [668]) — Ancient tapestry
romances the character responsible for wounding King preserved in Bayeux, France, representing William of
Pelleas. NB: Both spellings exist, but “Balin” is perhaps Normandy’s victory over Harold at the Battle of Hastings in
preferable. 1066. JCP used the phrase as a synonym for “Norman” (see
811 [778]).
Baltonsborough (95, 924 [110, 884]) — A village four miles
southeast of Glastonbury, said to be the birthplace of St. Beckery (173, 994 [182, 951]) — An area to the west of
Dunstan. Glastonbury, near Wearyall Hill. For the chapel there, see
under “Bridget, Saint.”
Baphomet (1068 [1021]) — Historically, an idol the Knights
Templars were accused of worshipping. The word is probably Bedouin (486 [470]) — Relating to nomadic Arabs of the
a corruption of “Mahomet,” though some post-JCP desert.
researchers see it as deriving from an Arabic word meaning
Beecham’s Pills (987 [944]) — A popular patent-medicine
“Sophia,” Wisdom.
of the period.
the Baptist’s day (578 [556]) — June 24, Midsummer Day,
Beere, Lawyer (173 [182]) — The surname is that of
the nativity of John the Baptist. See “Our Lord ... in the
Richard, one of the abbots of Glastonbury (1493–1524).
Jordan.”
“Begin! Begin! ...” (926 [886]) — Probably an allusion to
Bardic Triads — See “Triads” and “Welsh Triads.”
Hamlet’s “Begin, murderer; pox, leave thy damnable faces,
Bardsey — See “Isle of Bardsey.” and begin” in Shakespeare’s Hamlet (III ii 265).
Barnaby Rudge (919 [879]) — The simple-minded hero of Behemoth (394 [382]; cf. 236) — A mythological beast in
Charles Dickens’s novel of the same name (1841), usually Job 40:15.
accompanied by a pet raven who would croak “I’m a devil!”
bell, book, and candle (168 [178]) — A phrase that has
(ch.6).
become part of popular speech; it derives, however, from a
Barter had felt ... trusted! (230) — This paragraph is divided Catholic service of excommunication.
into three in the 1955 edition (235) and a full-stop is
Bellamy, Mrs. (433 [419]) — Also used as the name of
substituted for the exclamation-mark
Lexie’s housekeeper in Ducdame (30). It was the maiden name
Barter, Tom (21 [40]) — In a letter to Littleton, JCP reveals of the widow of the gardener to the Powyses at Dorchester,
that the surname is adapted from that of Mary Carter, whom who later became JCP’s housekeeper in Sussex (see
the brothers apparently knew at Northwold (see Humfrey Autobiography [251]).
[325]; cf. also Diary 1931 [70] and The Dorset Year [172]).
Bendigeitvran (728, 1120 [699, 1069]) — Another name
His death (1100 [1050]) is in some respects similar to that
for Bran the Blessed, a mythical Welsh hero whose story is
A Reader’s Companion 9

told in “Branwen Daughter of Llyr” in The Mabinogion (see Bishop [of Bath and Wells] (44, 216 [62, 223]) — In 1907
“Mabinogi”). the Ruins were put up for auction by the owner, a Mr. Stanley
Austin. They were bought (for £30,000) by a middleman
Benedict Street (45 [62]) — A street to the west of
who later, through an arrangement with the Bishop of Bath
Glastonbury High Street, running between “Paradise” and
and Wells, resold them to the Church of England—hence
Wirral Park.
the passing reference at 751 [720].
Benedictines (113, 367 [126, 357]) — An ascetic order of
bizarrerie (241) — oddness (French).
monks founded by St. Benedict (c.480–543).
Black Book of Carmarthen (epigraph and 771 [739]) — An
Benhole (1117 [1066]) — A cave along the Somerset coast
important manuscript of early Welsh literature, perhaps the
near Quantock’s Head (q.v.).
earliest in the Welsh language, probably dating from the late
Benignus Alley (173 [182]) — Close to Benignus’ (St. thirteenth century.
Benedict’s) Church on Benedict Street.
Black Rock (1117 [1066]) — A rock in St. Audrie’s Bay
Benignus, Saint (166 [175]) — An Irish saint, said by (q.v.). (Information from Susan Rands.)
William of Malmesbury to have followed St. Patrick to
Blake, William (242, 654 [628]) — English poet and
Glastonbury, to have succeeded him as the second Abbot,
engraver (1757–1827), whose “Jerusalem” hymn, “And did
and to have lived as a hermit at Meare (Carley 1988 [2, 105–
those feet in ancient time,” may well be based on the legend
7]). The church in Glastonbury now known as St. Benedict’s
that Jesus accompanied Joseph of Arimathea to Glastonbury
was originally dedicated to St. Benignus. According to legend
while still a youth. The specific reference at 242 is not clear.
(see, for example, L. S. Lewis (Glastonbury [17]), his staff
took root like Joseph of Arimathea’s. blaze of Something ... Cosmic Rays (371 [361]) — “the
entrance of the Grail in the hall at Camelot was preceded by
Bere Lane (204 [211]) — A lane running south of the Abbey
a dazzling ray ...” (Loomis, Grail [183]).
Ruins between Wearyall Hill and Chilkwell Street.
Bleeding Lance (739 [709]) — The spear of Longinus (q.v.)
Bernard [Saint] (249 [245]) — A Cistercian monk (1091–
which became a central Grail symbol from Chrétien de Troyes
1153), Abbot of Clairvaux (1115–53), known as an
onwards.
influential theologian.
Bleheris, Blehis (454, 468, 941, 1105 [440, 453, 900,
“Bet y March ...” (epigraph) — See under “A grave for Mark
1055]) — The name of a twelfth-century writer (mentioned
...”
by Giraldus Cambrensis) whom Jessie L. Weston, in From
bête noire (677 [650]) — object of hatred (French). Ritual to Romance, accepted as the author of the Grail
romances. In Porius JCP introduces the figure of the Henog
“Better join ... banded about (229) — This passage is
as a descendant of Bleheris and as author of The Mabinogion.
omitted from the 1955 edition. (See Smith article.) Susan
Rands (“Topicality” [49]) claims that it is likely that Capt. “Bless us and keep us!” (733 [703]) — From the closing
Hodgkinson, the owner of Wookey who later sued JCP, was prayer in Anglican services.
in the habit of making remarks similar to those expressed
Blimp, Sergeant (439 [425]) — A traditional parody-name
here. Her informant was the late Audrey Firbank of Priddy,
for a type of British soldier.
secretary of the Mendip Farmers’ Hunt for over forty years
(private communication). Blodeuwedd (727 [697]) — A girl conjured out of flowers
by Math and Gwydion as a wife for Llew Llaw Gyffes. She
“between him and the wall” (277 [272]) — If a quotation,
eventually kills him with the help of her lover Gronw. The
not identified.
story is told in “Math Son of Mathonwy” in The Mabinogion.
Bewick’s Birds (249 [246]) — A History of British Birds, JCP later introduces her as a figure glimpsed momentarily
written and illustrated by Thomas Bewick (1753–1828), in Porius (ch.32). NB: “Blodenwedd” is an error.
published in 1797. Llewelyn wrote an essay on Bewick
bloody King (639 [614]) — Henry VIII; see “Henry.”
published in a limited edition in 1951.
bloody sweat (255, 361, 639 [251, 352, 615]) — Deriving
“beyond the reaches of their souls” (1118 [1067]) — From
from Luke 22:44, probably via the Anglican “Litany”: “By
Shakespeare’s Hamlet (I iv 55), also quoted in The Meaning
thine Agony and bloody Sweat...” (information from Kate
of Culture (167).
Kavanagh). Also used in Maiden Castle (103), Morwyn (293),
Biblical account of the creation (575 [553]) — See Genesis and Owen Glendower (853).
1:5 and 16.
Blue Ben (1117 [1066]) — The area on the Somerset coast
Birds of Rhiannon (785, 819 [753, 785]) — Birds that were immediately west of Quantock’s Head. (Information from
supposed to have sung at the time when the Head of Bran Susan Rands.)
the Blessed rested at Harlech. See “Branwen Daughter of
Llyr” in The Mabinogion.
10 A Glastonbury Romance

Boadicea (375 [365]) — First-century British queen who Briareus (342 [334]; cf. 591 [569]) — A hundred-armed
rebelled against the Romans, who makes an appearance in giant in Classical mythology on the side of the Olympians
chapter 31 of All or Nothing (noted by Jacqueline Peltier). against the Titans.
Bodleian (250 [247]) — The famous library at the University “brides” (994 [951]) — Doubtless a local detail.
of Oxford.
Bridge Perilous (108, 368 [121, 358]) — A bridge appearing
Bolsheviki (217 [223]) — Mr. Wollop means communists in the Grail romances, locally identified with a bridge over
like Red Robinson. “Bolsheviki” is the correct plural of the River Brue just south of Wirrall Hill, Glastonbury, known
“Bolshevik” (cf. 229 [234]). So, “Bolshevist” (872 [835]). also as Pomparlès Bridge (q.v.). From it Arthur is said to
have thrown his sword into the water, as in the “Morte
Bonaventura (249 [245]) — Also known as St. Bonaventure
d’Arthur” story, though there Sir Bedivere is generally
(1221–74), theologian and later general of the Franciscans.
credited with the action.
JCP later introduced him as a character in The Brazen Head.
Bridge of Sighs (450 [436]) — The bridge at Mark’s Court
Book of Taliessin (771 [739]) — A manuscript of poems
is named after the well-known bridge in Venice celebrated
copied in the early seventeenth century, containing poems
by Byron in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (Book 4).
attributed to Taliessin, and others based on the Taliessin
legend or on biblical subjects. Not to be confused with “[The Bridget, Saint (966 [924]) — Irish saint (born c.543), often
Tale of ] Taliessin.” See also under “Taliessin.” known as Brigit, who is said, according to local legend, to
have visited Beckery and stayed there. A Bridget cult certainly
Boots [323 [315]) — The Boots was a hotel employee of
existed there. The reference to a Chapel of Mary Magdalene
the period who polished the boots and shoes of the guests
at Beckery founded by Saint Bridget (994 [961]) reflects a
overnight.
well-known story, but it is more likely that the chapel in
Booth, General (808 [775]) — William Booth (1829– question (which has been excavated) was “rededicated to St.
1912), founder of the Salvation Army. Brigit” (Carley 1988 [109]).
Bosanquet, Henry (507 [490]) — See “Recorders of Bridgewater (198 [205]) — A town in central Somerset west
Glastonbury.” of Glastonbury. Generally spelt “Bridgwater” and sometimes
bottom of the sea (235) — See “There was only that one corrected in the 1955 edition, but JCP consistently inserted
entrance ...” the “e.” Bridgewater Bay (781 [749]) is a body of water
forming part of the Bristol Channel. NB: JCP errs when
Bournemouth (1126 [1014]) — The well-known seaside Mat Dekker on Glastonbury Tor defies the sun “as it rose ...
resort in Hampshire on the south coast of England. over Bridgewater Bay” (1097 [1047]), since the Bay is to the
Bove Town (160 [170]) — One of the poorer areas of northwest of Glastonbury. (Noted by Susan Rands.)
Glastonbury east of the High Street. Also a road in the area Bridport (1151 [1098]) — A small coastal town on the
(854 [817]), virtually a continuation of the High Street. Dorset coast, west of Weymouth.
Bradshaw (690 [662]) — George Bradshaw’s Railway Guide, Brindham [Farm] (102, 117 [116, 130]) — The tiny
a well-known and comprehensive railway-timetable. See The community of Brindham is a mile northeast of Glastonbury.
Dorset Year (123).
Brisen, Dame (898 [860]) — An enchantress who brings
Bran the Blessed — See under “Bendigeitvran.” Lancelot to the bed of Elaine at the beginning of the
Brandon (1 [21]), Brandon Heath (2 [22]) — A small town “Lancelot and Elaine” story as recounted by Malory (584–
in Suffolk, on the border with Norfolk. JCP made the journey 5).
between Brandon Heath and Northwold with Littleton on Bristol (30 [48]) — A seaport in Gloucestershire. The Bristol
3 August 1929 (Diary 1929 [58] and Petrushka [10]). See Channel (116 [129]) is a large body of water separating
also Littleton’s The Joy of It (78, 86). southern Wales from the north coasts of Devon and
bread and bed and candlelight (19 [38]) — Given the Cornwall.
reference just above to “anonymous ballads,” this is almost British Lake Village — See “Lake Village.”
certainly an adaptation of “Fire and fleet and candlelight”
from “A Lyke-Wake Dirge.” Browne, Sir Thomas (98 [112]) — English doctor and
writer (1605–82), author of Religio Medici and Urn Burial.
Brent Knoll (139, 554–5 [151, 534–5]) — A hill and village
north of Burnham-on-Sea in the west of Somerset, visible Brue River (108 [121]) — A river that runs just south of
from Glastonbury Tor and elsewhere in the area. Glastonbury, fed by streams from Wookey, and runs into
Bridgewater Bay just south of Burnham-on-Sea.
Breughel (385 [374]) — A Flemish painter of landscapes
and peasant-life (c.1525–69), known as Pieter Breughel the “brutal and carnal purpose” (113 [126]) — Presumably
Elder to distinguish him from one of his painter sons, also from the Rule of St. Benedict.
called Pieter.
A Reader’s Companion 11

“brutish sting” (267, 330 [263, 322]) — From Shakespeare’s Literature to illustrate Shakespeare’s lack of sympathy with
As You Like It (II vii 66). Also quoted in Autobiography (43, working-class unrest.
376, 467) and in Letters to Llewelyn (I 40).
Cadmus (601, 694 [578, 666]) — A legendary Greek hero.
Brutus (835 [799]) — One of the murderers of Julius Caesar After slaying a dragon that had killed his men, Cadmus was
in 44 BC. presented in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. instructed by Athena to sow the teeth of the dragon on the
earth, out of which armed men sprang up.
Brythonic (788 [756]) — Relating to the Brythons, a branch
of the Celtic peoples. Caer Pedryvan (729 [699]) — According to Rhys (Studies
[301]), an alternative name for Caer Sidi (q.v.).
Buddha (776 [744]) — The popular name of Siddhartha
Gautama (c.563–483 BC), founder of Buddhism. “Buddha” Caer Sidi (454, 1040 [454, 1002]) — Also known as
means “The Enlightened One.” “Turning Castle,” a rather mysterious island-Elysium
frequently mentioned in Welsh mythology, and subsequently
bugg-uncles (202 [209]) — Presumably Weatherwax’s
often identified with Glastonbury. See “Complete was ...”
conflation of “bubukles” (cf. Shakespeare’s Henry V [III vi
Also seen as part of the underworld, and as such appears as a
108]) and “carbuncle.” According to the OED “bubukles”
setting in Morwyn.
is itself a confusion of “bubo” and “carbunkle.” JCP refers
to “bubuncles” in Powys to Sea-Eagle (33). Caesar (369 [359]) — Julius Caesar (100–44 BC), the
Roman general who invaded Britain. See also “Rubicon.”
Bulwarks Lane (209 [216]) — A lane to the east of
Glastonbury, running north to meet Wick Hollow and Cagliostro (609, 707 [586, 678]) — Alessandro Cagliostro
Paradise Lane. According to Rands (“Aspects” [30]), it “goes (1743–95), an Italian impostor, who dealt in elixirs and love-
across the top of Chalice Hill.” NB: The spelling varies. It is philtres. He was also involved in the Diamond Necklace affair
without an apostrophe in the map annotated by JCP (see in Louis XVI’s court. He died in prison.
Rands [20]).
Caiaphas (538, 618 [518, 594]) — High Priest at Jerusalem
Bunyan, John (626 [602]) — British writer and preacher who, according to the Christian gospels, urged the crucifixion
(1628–88), best known for The Pilgrim’s Progress. of Jesus of Nazareth.
Burnham (418 [406]) — Burnham-on-Sea, at the mouth Camel (412, 506 [400, 489]) — The name is that of a family
of the River Parrett, northwest of Glastonbury. associated with Glastonbury; John Camel or Cammell (died
c.1487) is buried in St. John the Baptist’s Church, where his
Burnham and Evercreech Railway (267, 418 [262, 406]) —
tomb may be found in St. George’s Chapel (see Boyd and
A railway line, now disused, running from Burnham (q.v.)
Bonham 8 [photo] and 13). It is also a place-name; see Queen
to Evercreech (q.v.), which used to serve Glastonbury.
Camel and West Camel five miles north of Sherborne, and
Bushey Combe (117 [129]) — Immediately north of the reputed site of Camelot at Cadbury Castle, two miles
Chalice Hill, south of Bove Town. east of Queen Camel. See also Rands (“Aspects” [35]).
Butleigh Wood (193 [201]) — Three miles south of Camelot (516 [498]) — The name of Mother Legge’s house
Glastonbury. of pleasure refers back to the court of King Arthur at Camelot,
tentatively identified as Cadbury Castle, five miles north of
Butt Moor (95 [110]) — About two miles southeast of
Sherborne. There is, however, no mention of Camelot in
Glastonbury.
Welsh sources, which suggests that this strand of Arthur’s
Butts Close (584 [562]) — Just north of Glastonbury High story may belong solely to Arthurian romance. Its first
Street. Cf “Butts’ Alley” (682 [655]), where the apostrophe appearance is in some manuscripts of Chrétien de Troyes’
is presumably an error. Lancelot. For an allusion to the equivalent to Mother Legge’s
Byronic (188 [196]) — Relating to Lord Byron (1788– Camelot in Brighton, see The Dorset Year (129).
1824), British poet best known for Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage “cannikin-clink” (919 [880]) — A reference to the drinking-
and Don Juan, and for his decidedly ambiguous love-affairs. song, “And let the cannikin clink,” sung by Iago in
Byzantine Emperors (432 [419]) — Rulers of the Eastern Shakespeare’s Othello (II iii 72).
Empire centred upon Constantinople (Istanbul). “Canst thou not minister ... ?” (360, 852 [351, 816]) —
Byzantium (451 [437]) — The city of Constantinople and From Shakespeare’s Macbeth (V iii 40).
the empire of which it was the centre. Cantle (573 [552]) — The family name seems to be
borrowed by JCP from that of Christian Cantle in Thomas
Hardy’s The Return of the Native. The description of Dickery
C Cantle as “the weakest and most helpless creature that Mr.
Geard had ever seen” (597 [574]) would fit Christian
Cade, Jack (584 [562]) — The leader of a peasant-style revolt perfectly. In addition, the first name Elphin suggests Welsh
that threatened London in 1450. He appears as a character romance (cf. Thomas Love Peacock’s The Misfortunes of
in Shakespeare’s 2 Henry VI, cited by JCP in The Pleasures of Elphin). See also under “Elphin.”
12 A Glastonbury Romance

cantrips (941 [900]) — spells, charms. catchpole (234) — According to the OED, a tax-gatherer
or petty officer of justice. Also used in Wolf Solent (195).
Canute, King (12 [32]) — King of England (1016–35), also
King of Norway and Denmark, mentioned here because of Catholic chapel (409 [397]) — St. Mary’s, on Magdalene
Norfolk’s connections with the Danelaw. Street.
Capaneus (244 [241]) — One of the “Seven against Thebes” Cattle Market (782 [750]) — On George Street, north of
in Statius’s Thebaid, who appears in Dante’s Inferno (Canto Glastonbury High Street, now used as a car-park and local
14). “As I was then, ... such am I still” is a translation of l.51. market only.
Caradoc (87 [102]) — There are several relevant Caradocs, Cauldron (140 [151]) — Various cauldrons occur in Welsh
including the British chieftain also known as Caractacus, mythology, most of them related to or identifiable with each
Caradoc [Caradog] of Llancarfan (the hagiographer who other. They include the Cauldron of Ceridwen (726 [697]),
wrote a Life of St. Gildas), and one of the Knights of the the Cauldron of Yr Echwydd (140 [151]), and the Cauldron
Round Table. of the Head of Hades [i.e., Pwyll] (203 [210]). Cf. Morwyn
(242). The first of these is a cauldron of inspiration; the last
Carbonek (175, 204, 251 [183, 212, 247]) — The Grail
two are alternative names for the cauldron of rebirth that
Castle. Rhys (Studies [305]) identifies it with Caer Sidi (q.v.),
Taliessin claims to have brought back as one of the “spoils of
which has in turn been associated with Glastonbury because
Annwn” when Arthur harrowed Hell (see Rhys, Studies
of the legend of Joseph of Arimathea and Chalice Hill (q.v.).
[244]). These are identifiable with the cauldron or dish or
Cf., however, Jung and von Franz: “Naturally the Grail Castle
horn of plenty, itself identified with the Grail (see Loomis,
cannot be localized in reality” (13). “Carbonek” is Malory’s
Grail [243]). In Morwyn Taliesin recites a list of cauldrons
spelling. An alternative form is “Corbenic,” which occurs in
which includes “the Christian Grail” (271). See also “Mwys.”
the Queste del Saint Graal. The name is derived from ‘cor
benoit’ or ‘blessed vessel’ (see Loomis, Grail [242]). Celts (788 [755]) — Robin Wood notes that, for JCP at
this stage, “the adjectives Cymru, Welsh and Celtic are
Cardiff (698 [670]) — Industrial seaport in South Wales,
interchangeable” (6). Later he takes the view that the Welsh
capital of Wales.
were non-Aryan and non-Celtic (see Obstinate Cymric and
Cardiff Villa (822 [787]) — The home of the Geards on Porius).
Street Road.
Cerberus (152, 468 [162, 453]) — The three-headed dog
Carthage (682 [655]) — A city-state in North Africa, close who guarded the Classical underworld. In Virgil’s Aeneid
to modern Tunis, destroyed by the Romans at the close of (Book 6), the Sibyl gives each of Cerberus’s heads a drugged
the Punic Wars (146 BC). So, “Carthaginians” (679 [652]), sop so that Aeneas can enter Tartarus.
who are said to have sailed as far as Cornwall in search of
Ceridwen (509, 726 [491, 697]) — A witch figure and
tin. They were also known as “Phoenicians” (see 741 [711]),
owner of a magic cauldron (q.v.) in Welsh mythology. See
from which the word “Punic” is derived.
“The Tale of Gwion Bach,” part of “[The Book of ] Taliesin,”
Cary Fitzpaine (783 [751]) — A hamlet dear the Foss Way, often translated along with the Mabinogion.
five miles southeast of Somerton, south of Keinton
“chaffed by the populace” (926 [886]) — A favourite
Mandeville.
expression of Mr. Phelips of Montacute, quoted by JCP in
Cary River (783 [751]) — A river flowing north of Autobiography (116, 152). Also alluded to here in the phrase
Somerton, south of Glastonbury. “hustled by the populace” (586 [564]).
Casca (835 [799]) — One of the murderers of Julius Caesar “chain-swung censers” (647 [622]) — Adapted from John
(q.v.), presented in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Keats’s poem “Ode to Psyche” (l.33).
Cassiopeia (166 [175]) — A northern circumpolar Chalice Hill (108 [121]) — One of the three hills of
constellation. Glastonbury, to the east of the Abbey Ruins, where Joseph
of Arimathea is said to have hidden the Holy Grail (see
Cassius (835 [794]) — One of the murderers of Julius Caesar
“Chalice Well”). I know of no evidence of a stone being
(q.v.), presented in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. For “lean,”
discovered there (539 [520]).
see I ii 93.
Castle of Carbonek — See “Carbonek.” Chalice House (44, 111, 286 [62, 124, 281]) — Based on
an actual house in the vicinity of Chalice Well. A Catholic
Castle Perilous (369 [359]) — According to JCP’s version, seminary until 1912, it was then bought by Alice Buckton,
the reference should refer to Chalice Hill; see, e.g., 419 [406], who produced a series of folk and mystery plays in
though not 864 [827], which, as an allusion to Malory, has Glastonbury that may have influenced JCP’s “Pageant.” Later,
no Glastonbury connection. it was bought by Wellesley Tudor Pole, who set up the Chalice
Catcott Burtle (763 [732]) — A hamlet seven miles Well Trust in 1958. (Information from James Carley.)
northwest of Glastonbury. Chalice Well (165 [175]) — The name was originally
“Chalkwell” (cf. “Chilkwell”). A chalybeate spring, the waters
A Reader’s Companion 13

of which have a reddish tinge associated with the Holy Blood. that, according to a sixteenth-century verse Life of Joseph, a
A legend states that the waters flowed red after Joseph of child from Wales was raised from the dead at Joseph’s shrine
Arimathea (q.v.) hid the Holy Grail (or the chalice from the (Carley 1988 [124]).
Last Supper) on Chalice Hill (see 784 [752]). “It does not
“Children ... are wards” (476 [460]) — If this is an authentic
appear that healing power was supposed to attach to any
quotation from a “Marxian pamphlet,” I haven’t traced it.
spring in Glastonbury before the middle of the eighteenth
century” (Robinson [48]). John Dee, the Elizabethan Chilkwell Street (204 [211]) — A Glastonbury street
alchemist, however, claimed to have found the “Elixir Vitae” running between the Abbey Ruins and Chalice Hill. The
in Glastonbury in 1582 (Chalice Well [5]), and L. S. Lewis name is believed to be a variant of “Chalkwell”, hence
(Glastonbury [5]) claimed, on undisclosed evidence, that “confused”. However, JCP seems a bit topographically
“more than 2,000 years ago it was a sacred well of the Druids.” confused himself at this point. The references at 731 [701]
“The Victorian Age ... introduced a miracle-working fountain and 745 [714] do not easily conform to Glastonbury reality:
known as Chalice Well, which, unlike the Grail, could boast the reference to avoiding Bove Town is irrelevant to driving
of few if any cures” (Lagorio [80]). JCP visited the well on to Chilkwell Street via Silver Street, and Chilkwell Street is
27 July 1929 and reported: “Found the Holy Gra[i]l Well” entered before arriving at the Abbey Barn.
(Diary 1929 [54], Petrushka [8]).The Well is now chilly and dark (154–5 [164]) — A possibly unconscious
administered by the Chalice Well Trust. NB: The “truth” echo of S. T. Coleridge’s poem “Christabel” (l.14).
connecting Chalice Well with the Lake Village (737 [707])
is purely speculative. Chilton-under-Polden (813 [779]) — A community seven
miles west of Glastonbury.
Channings, The (659 [633]) — A novel by Mrs. Henry
Wood (1814–87), published in 1862. Chinnock (326 [319]) — Chinnock is the name of two
villages (East and West Chinnock) two and a half miles south
Chantry Kilve — See “Kilve Chantry.” of Montacute, and also the name of an early Abbot of
Chapel Field Barn (814 [781]) — Between Mere and Glastonbury (1375–1420).
Hindon in Wiltshire, close to the Somerset and Dorset “Christ is risen! ... Christ our Passover” (423 [410]) —
borders. “Christ our Passover” occurs in the Easter Day service,
Charlemagne (233, 432 [238, 419]) — European leader quoted from 1 Corinthians 5:7 (information from Kate
(742–814), King of the Franks from 771, Emperor of the Kavanagh).
Holy Roman Empire from 800. chub of Lydford Mill (766 [734]) — The catching of the
Charlotte, Lady (771 [739]) — Lady Charlotte Guest fish seems to be an allusion to a story in Robert de Boron’s
(1812–95), translator of The Mabinogion (q.v.). See Rands, Joseph of Arimathea in which Brons catches a fish associated
“JCP’s Ideal Woman.” with the Grail meal. See Weston (116), which JCP knew,
and Loomis, The Grail (231). The rhyme at 768 [736] is
Charlton Mackrell (783 [751]) — A village two miles east
presumably JCP’s own. Cf. also the catching of the perch in
of Somerton.
Wolf Solent (485).
Charon (238, 413 [401]) — In Classical mythology the
Church of St. Mary (165 [175]) — See “St. Mary’s Church.”
ferryman who conducts the souls of the dead across the River
Styx to the underworld. Ciceronian (136 [148]) — Relating to M. Tullius Cicero
(106–43 BC), the famous orator noted for his eloquence.
Chartist (743 [713]) — A member of a British working-
class reform movement that flourished from 1837 until Cimmerian (89 [104], 241) — Relating to a people supposed
1848. — to live in perpetual darkness. The reference is to Homer’s
Odyssey (Book 10). A favourite JCP word.
Chelsea (405, 688 [393, 661]) — An area of London well-
known as the home of artists and writers. Circe (1021 [976]) — A beautiful witch who turns men into
swine at the touch of her wand in Homer’s Odyssey (Book
Chesil Beach (382 [371]) — On the Dorset coast between
10).
Weymouth and Abbotsbury, well-known for its finely
polished stones. JCP uses it as a location in Weymouth Sands Clement of Alexandria (229, 679 [652]) — Theologian and
and the play Paddock Calls. It was a favourite place, and on one of the Church Fathers (c.150–220). His comment on
his death his ashes were scattered there. Wookey Hole is historical.
Chesterblade (266 [262]) — Nine or ten miles east of Cleopatra (698 [670]) — Princess of Egypt (69–30 BC),
Glastonbury. lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
child [revived] (933 [893]) — This scene recalls some of Clifton blue (612 [588]) — A species of butterfly. JCP
Jesus’s miracles, but more specifically (as Kate Kavanagh notes checks the accuracy of this reference with Littleton in a letter
[private correspondence]) the story of Elisha reviving the (see Humfrey [331]).
Shunamite’s son in 2 Kings 4. It is also interesting to note “clouds without water” (345, 351 [336, 342]) — Jude 12.
14 A Glastonbury Romance

Clytemnestra (258 [254]) — Wife of Agamemnon; along Constable’s “Hay-Wagon” (164 [173]) — A painting by
with her lover Aegisthus, she murdered him on his return John Constable (1776–1837), English artist, generally known
from the Trojan War (see the Agamemnon of Aeschylus). as “The Hay-Wain,” in the National Gallery, London.
Clytus (370 [359]) — One of Alexander the Great’s military Constantine (87, 698 [102, 670]) — Roman emperor
leaders, said to have been killed by him in a drunken brawl. (c.280–337), who made Christianity the official religion of
the Roman Empire.
cockle-shell pilgrim (997–8 [954]) — Pilgrims to the shrine
of St. James at Santiago de Compostella in Spain used to contra mundum crudelem (986 [963]) — Literally, “against
wear a cockle-shell on their caps because it was a sign of St. the cruel world” (Latin).
James.
“cooled a long age in the deep-delved earth” (588 [566]) —
cock-shies (364 [354]) — Stalls at fairs where missiles were From John Keats’s “Ode to a Nightingale” (l.12). Also quoted
thrown at targets. NB: “cock-shys” is an incorrect plural. in Rodmoor (119) and Autobiography (402).
Coeur de Lion (695 [667]) — Lion-Heart (French), Cordelia (141 [151]) — The name of the Geard daughter
nickname of Richard I, King of England, 1189–99. obviously recalls Shakespeare’s King Lear.
Cogley Wood (671 [644]) — Well to the east of Glastonbury, Corinthians (679 [652]) — Inhabitants of Corinth in
one mile east of Bruton. Mentioned by Littleton Powys, The Greece, recipients of two famous epistles from St. Paul.
Joy of It (112).
Coriolanus (964 [922]) — The Roman leader in
Cold Harbour Bridge (370, 764 [360, 732–3]) — One and Shakespeare’s tragedy of that name, noted for his contempt
a half miles northwest of Glastonbury. Traditionally, the for the masses.
occurrence of “Cold Harbour” in a place-name is supposed
cormorant (23 [42]) — Probably an allusion to John Milton’s
to indicate a Roman settlement.
description of Satan sitting like a cormorant on the Tree of
coloquintida (353 [344]) — A plant of the gourd family Life after gaining entry into Eden. See Paradise Lost (II 16).
known for its bitter pulp.
Cornish King (431 [418]) — King Mark.
Colosseum (461 [446]) — The great amphitheatre in Rome,
corpse candles (868 [821]) — Mysterious lights said in
used for gladiatorial combats.
Welsh folklore to appear as a premonition of death; also
Combwich (813 [779]) — On the River Parrett, four miles candles set around a coffin at a wake.
northwest of Bridgwater.
“corpse-god” (203 [210]) — See “Rex Semi-mortuus.”
“Come out of him” (852 [816]) — Mark 5:8.
Corpus (246 [243]) — Corpus Christi, Cambridge.
“Comfort ye ...” (33 [51–2]) — Isaiah 40:1–2. “Hands” Interestingly, JCP makes Sam Dekker attend his own college,
should read “hand” and “sin” should read “sins.” where he too decided not to become a clergyman.
comme le diable (46 [64]) — like the devil (French). Corsican (773 [741]) — Napoleon (q.v.).
Common Moor (175 [184]) — Just north of Glastonbury, Corsley Heath (91 [106]) — Between Frome and
close to the site of the Lake Village. Warminster, just within the Wiltshire border.
“Complete was the captivity ...” (843, 849, 853 [807, 813, cottage loaf (1086 [1038]) — Traditional mould for a loaf
816]) — An extract from the ancient Welsh poem “Preiddeu of bread with a small round lump on top of a larger one.
Annwn” (“The Spoils [or Harrying(s)] of Annwn”)
“couchant, in-bend, sable” (343) — Heraldic terms.
traditionally ascribed to Taliessin. JCP follows the translation
of these passages in Loomis, Celtic Myth (92, 320). The first Council of Pisa [etc.] (562 [541]) — Church councils that
two lines are quoted and commented on by Taliesin in upheld an early date for the founding of a church at
Morwyn (177). It is also quoted in a decidedly free translation Glastonbury (see “thirty-one years”). JCP could have got
in Porius (771). See also “Harrying(s) of Annwn.” these details from L. S. Lewis’s St. Joseph of Arimathea (18).
“complex” (811 [777]) — JCP is thinking in terms of Court-Martial (377 [367]) — The children are apparently
psychological, especially Freudian, terminology as it filters confusing “court-martial” and “Court-Marshall.”
down into popular consciousness. At 862 [769] “complexes” Cousin Percy (7 [27]) — Persephone (q.v.), wife of Dave
is Red Robinson’s version of “accomplices.” Spear.
Coney (795 [763]) — Rabbit, but here an antiquated term Cow Bridge (370 [360]) — Over the River Brue, one mile
of endearment. south of Glastonbury.
‘Confessions’ (249 [246]) — The great autobiography of Cowper, William (29, 73, 690 [47, 89, 662]) — English
St. Augustine (q.v.), written c.400. poet and hymn-writer (1731–1800), best known for his long
poem The Task (1785) and his Olney Hymns (1779). JCP’s
mother was descended from the Cowper family (hence JCP’s
A Reader’s Companion 15

middle name), and he recalls an early memory of being Crow, Canon (5 [25]) — William Crow, based on William
surrounded by Cowper relics in Autobiography (103). The Cowper Johnson (1813–93), JCP’s maternal grandfather,
Task is a poem that begins with an invocation to “the sofa,” who was also “Canon.” See also “Author’s Note” (immediately
the subject having been assigned to him as a “task.” For preceding the text) and Autobiography [141]). Johnson was,
another reference to a Cowper portrait (690 [662]), see however, buried at Yaxham (q.v.).
Maiden Castle (165).
Crow, Elizabeth — See “Aunt Elizabeth.”
crack in the world (149 [159]) — Another of JCP’s
Crow, John (2 [22]) — One of two Johns in the novel, who
presentations of a “crack in creation.” Cf. “the Thing Outside
thus qualify, in JCP’s playful fashion, for the title of John of
breaking into our closed circle” (265 [260]). See also 292,
Glastonbury, the name of a mid-fourteenth-century monk
471 (the Grail), 738, 789, 981, 983, 1051 [287, 456, 708,
who wrote a chronicle devoted to the antiquities of
756, 938–9, 940, 1004] . The concept recurs in JCP’s fiction.
Glastonbury Abbey. In addition, the crow (or raven) was a
Cradle Bridge Farm (370, 981 [360, 938]) — Two miles symbol of “Bran the Blessed.” Crow also takes over a number
west of Glastonbury. of JCP’s own characteristics (including his walking-stick, his
habit of hugging his knees, his praying to stones, etc.). The
Cranach, Lucas (1083 [1035]) — German painter (1472–
opening paragraph—the arrival from Paris at a railway-station
1553), well-known for his rather angular nudes (usually of
and subsequent walk to a village with family associations—
Eve).
closely resembles the opening of After My Fashion, written
Cranes of Ibycus (428 [415]) — According to Greek myth, in 1919 between Rodmoor and Ducdame but not published
cranes hovered over the murderers of Ibycus, a poet of Samos, until 1980. It may also be worth noting that, at thirty-five
after he had called upon them in his last moments to avenge (2 [22]), he is exactly the same age as Wolf at the beginning
his death. Also mentioned in Autobiography (573). JCP may of Wolf Solent (2) and Adam Skald in Weymouth Sands (66).
have derived them from Act II of Goethe’s Faust, Part 2.
Crow, Philip (25 [44]) — It was the presentation of this
Crannel Moor (103 [117]) — Two miles north of figure that caused the libel suit following the publication of
Glastonbury. A Glastonbury Romance. Not only was G. W. Hodgkinson
Crécy (64 [80]) — Scene of a battle in 1346 in which the the owner of Wookey Hole caves (q.v.), but he also owned
English under Edward III defeated the French. an aeroplane. For details of the case, see Rands (“Topicality”
[48–9]).
“credo” (200 [207]) — “I believe” (Latin), the opening words
of the Creed (see below). crowned with fumitory (417 [404]) — Adapted from
Shakespeare’s King Lear (IV iv 3).
Creed, the (261 [257]) — the statement of belief in a
Christian church-service. Cupids (4 [24]) — Cupid was the Roman god of love,
portrayed as a child.
Cringleford (111 [125]) — A small Norfolk community just
southwest of Norwich. curiosity shop — See “Old Curiosity Shop.”
Cybele (1172–4 1118–20]) — The Great Mother, goddess
Croft Pond (868 [831]) — Presumably on the farm at
of Nature. Cf. Morwyn (218). It was a suggestion by JCP’s
Moorleaze (q.v.).
companion Phyllis Playter that caused him to close his novel
Cro-Magnon (522 [504]) — A prehistoric race of human with this extended reference. See Diary 1931 (267, 277).
beings in Europe.
cyclops (236) — A group of one-eyed giants in Greek
Cromer (534 [515]) — A seaside resort on the north Norfolk mythology, the best known being Polyphemus in Homer’s
coast. Odyssey (Book 9). Technically, the plural should be
Cromwell (534 [515]) — Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658), “Cyclopes.” So, “cyclopean” (85, 88 [100, 103]).
English political leader, Lord Protector of England during Cymric (92, 142 [106, 152]) — Welsh. Originally the word
the Puritan Interregnum. meant “comrade.” See the discussion in Porius (384, 507–
Cronos (342 [334]) — One of the Greek Titans, overthrown 8), and JCP’s collection of essays on Welsh topics, Obstinate
by the Olympians, identified with the Roman Saturn. In Cymric.
Porius, Myrddin Wyllt is represented as a reincarnation of Cyprian (503, 647 [486, 622]) — Relating to Aphrodite,
Cronos. While the imprisonment of Cronos/Merlin is more goddess of love. Cyprus was in ancient times a chief centre
often identified as taking place on the Isle of Bardsey (q.v.), for the worship of Aphrodite.
another strong candidate is the Scilly Isles (839 [804]); see
Rhys, Studies (ch.15). As Kronos he appears as a voice in Up
and Out (65).
Croscombe (891 [853]) — Seven miles northeast of
Glastonbury.
16 A Glastonbury Romance

Deianeira (1102 [1052]) — Wife of Heracles/Hercules,

D accidentally responsible for his agony by giving him the “shirt
Daffadowndilly (100 [114]) — Daffodil (dialect). The usage of Nessus” (q.v.), not knowing that it had been poisoned.
occurs in Spenser’s Shepheards Calendar (“April,” l. 140) and Dekker, Reverend Mat (97 [111]) — Based to a considerable
in an old nursery rhyme: “Daffadowndilly has come to town extent on JCP’s father.
/ In a yellow petticoat and a green gown.” The latter source
probably explains the usage at 810 [777] (information from Dekker, Sam (97 [111]) — Dhira B. Mahoney remarks that
Kate Kavanagh). “Sam Dekker, ... having an affair with a married woman, is
clearly a Lancelot figure, but when he takes a vow of celibacy
Dagonet (566 [545]) — King Arthur’s Fool, whom to serve Christ and abjures the woman, he is Galahad or
Tennyson made into a character rather like the Fool in perhaps Perceval leaving Blanchefleur, and when he sees a
Shakespeare’s King Lear in “The Last Tournament” (The Idylls vision of the Grail, he is pierced by a Lance in the vitals, like
of the King). the Fisher King” (65–6). Like JCP, Sam decided not to take
Danaë (578 [556]) — The daughter of the King of Argos holy orders after graduating from Cambridge. Morine
in Classical legend was raped by Zeus who visited her in a Krissdóttir (86) notes that his being brought up by a single
shower of gold. parent connects him with the archetype of the Grail Knight.
The dilemma of his relationship with Nell Zoyland appears
Danes’ Bottom (671 [645]) — Left of B3095 2.5 miles after to be influenced by Llewelyn’s relationship with Gamel
leaving Mere, Wiltshire, towards the northeast, close to Woolsey (see Diary 1930 [183, 187]) while the novel was
Monkton Deverill (q.v.). being written. It is also interesting to note that JCP, until
Danish ancestors (5 [25]) — Between the departure of the advised by Phyllis Playter, originally thought of the Sam/
Romans and the Norman conquest, Norfolk had been for Nell liaison as ending happily (see Diary 1931 [231]).
much of the time part of the Danelaw. Demeter (509 [492]) — Greek goddess of vegetation, called
Dante (139, 239, 340, 359, 368, 376, 654, 1027, 1050 [150, Ceres by the Romans.
332, 349, 358, 366, 628, 981, 1004]) — Italian poet (1265– Demetrius (342 [334]; cf. 1117 [1066]) — A traveller
1321), author of The Divine Comedy, divided into three parts: quoted by Plutarch (q.v.), then by Rhys (Studies [367–8]),
Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso from which the passage was copied by JCP.
(Paradise). JCP wrote about him in Visions and Revisions and
The Pleasures of Literature. See also “Inferno” and “Purgatorio.” departed yesterday from Glastonbury (39) — “from” is an
obvious error for “for,” corrected in the 1955 edition [57].
Darwin, Charles (190 [198]) — British scientist (1809–82),
who first formulated the theory of Evolution. deserted sheepfold (822 [787]) — Probably an allusion to
the central symbol in Wordsworth’s poem “Michael,”
Daughters of King Avallach (728 [699]) — Guardians of especially when so close to “mossy stone” (from his “She
the cauldron of Annwn. See Rhys, Studies (336). Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways”).
David ap Gwilym (771 [739]) — One of the most Deucalion and Pyrrha (694 [666]) — In Greek legend, after
distinguished of early Welsh poets, who wrote in the middle a flood Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha were instructed to
of the fourteenth century. throw the bones of his mother behind them. These became
David, Saint (165 [175]) — Welsh churchman and patron men and women. JCP’s pebbles are a variant.
saint, connected in legend to King Arthur, and flourishing deus mortuus (1070 [1022]) — See “rex mortuus.”
in either the sixth or seventh centuries. In the later Middle
Ages, Glastonbury claimed to possess his bones. He is devilish king (260 [256]) — Henry VIII (see “Henry”).
supposed to have built St. Joseph’s Chapel (see Carley 1988 dew-pond (77 [92]) — ”shallow, usu. artificial, pond fed
[110–112]). by atmospheric condensation, (chiefly) found or constructed
Decoy Pool, Decoy Rhyne (850, 1125 [816, 1073]) — Four on English downs” (Concise Oxford Dictionary). Dew-ponds
miles northeast of Glastonbury. feature in the plots of After My Fashion (284) and Maiden
Castle (375).
“deep and liquid rest, forgetful of all ill” (300 [294]) —
From Shelley’s “Adonais” (l.63). Also quoted in Rodmoor diabolus metallorum ... plumbum candidum (323 [316]) —
(456), In Defence of Sensuality (159), Elusive America (141), Literally, “the devil of metals ... shining (or white) tin”
and Diary 1929 (117). (Latin). The first phrase is glossed as “hermetic tin” at 847
[811].
“deep calling to deep” (799 [766]) — See Psalm 42:7. Also
quoted in Maiden Castle (396), Visions and Revisions (185), Diana of the Ephesians (1034 [988]) — Nature-goddess
Suspended Judgments (59), and The Meaning of Culture (154, associated with the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey, whose
396). many-breasted statue indicated her function as a
representative of fertility.
A Reader’s Companion 17

Dickens, Charles (422 [409]) — British novelist (1812–70), Dolorous Blow (321, 326, 1048 [313, 319, 1002]) — The
about whom JCP wrote in Visions and Revisions and The wounding of King Pelle[a]s by Balin with a strange spear as
Pleasures of Literature. His novels were often illustrated by told by Malory [62–4]. It was a standard incident in the
“Phiz” (Hablot K. Browne). Grail romances. Dhira B. Mahoney sees Finn Toller’s murder
of Tom Barter with the iron bar as “a monstrous inversion of
“Dickery, dickery, dock ...” (1064 [1016]) — Adapted from
the Dolorous Blow” (66).
a traditional nursery-rhyme, beginning “Hickory, dickory,
dock ...” Dominie Sampson (250 [247]) — The comic schoolmaster
in Sir Walter Scott’s Guy Mannering.
Dickinson, William (507 [490]) — See “Recorders of
Glastonbury.” Dominus-Glominus ... (790 [758]) — A nonsense rhyme
probably invented by JCP.
Didcot (75 [91]) — A town near Oxford.
Don Juan (715 [686]) — The archetypal immoral lover,
Didlington (8, 13 [28, 33]) — The surname is derived from
Mozart’s Don Giovanni, but derived by JCP, no doubt, from
the place-name, one and a half miles east of Northwold,
Lord Byron’s comic poem Don Juan.
Norfolk (cf. 1093 [1044]). See Littleton’s The Joy of It (83–6
passim). Don Quixote (2, 251, 306–7, 313, 412, 845 [22, 248, 299–
300, 306, 400, 810]) — The deranged knight in Cervantes’
die all (1137 [1085]) — From Horace, Odes III 30. Also
comic epic Don Quixote. JCP wrote about Cervantes and
referred to in Autobiography (619) and The Art of Growing
Don Quixote in The Pleasures of Literature. See also
Old (213).
“quixotic”.
Ding-Dong (391 [380]) — A word of uncertain meaning
“Don’t go through the Square ... into Chilkwell” (731
in context. In Autobiography (476), JCP refers to a character
[701]) — The topography is confused in this passage. See
of this name in Rabelais.
under “Chilkwell Street”.
Diogenes (164 [173]) — Greek cynic philosopher (412–323
“Doorman be a friend of mine” (411 [399]) — The same
BC) with a wry view of humanity. He is popularly believed
(not very convincing) excuse is later used in Weymouth Sands
to have lived in a barrel or tub (952 [911]).
(ch.14).
Diomed (376 [365]) — See under “Ares.”
Dorchester (515, 700–701,1126 [497, 673, 1074]) — The
“disarrayed” (252 [249]) — See “Guyon, Sir.” county town of Dorset, where JCP lived for part of his
childhood and briefly in the 1930s, and in which he set his
Ditcheat [Underleaze] (671 [644]) — A village some eight
later novel, Maiden Castle. The Casterbridge of Thomas
miles southeast of Glastonbury. NB: The spelling “Ditchett”
Hardy’s novels.
(810 [777]) is presumably an error.
Doughty (486 [470]) — Charles M. Doughty (1843–1926),
divided in her mind (62 [78]) — In Porius (271, 456) JCP
British writer of prose and verse, author not only of Travels
ascribes the phrase to Homer and is doubtless referring to
in Arabia Deserta but of the long poem The Dawn in Britain.
Achilles at the burial of Patroclus in Book 23 of Homer’s
Iliad. Doulting (93 [108) — A village about five miles east of Wells,
near Shepton Mallet.
Divine Comedy (812 [778]) — The allusion is to Dante’s
vast three-part poem. See under “Dante.” Dover (417 [404]) — On the coast of Kent, alleged setting
divine-diabolic soul of the First Cause (1 [21]) — This is a of a scene in Shakespeare’s King Lear (IV iv).
crucial idea in JCP from as early as Wood and Stone (“Vast Dragon Ensign (589 [567]) — The dragon as the supposed
unfathomable tides of cosmic conflict drive us all backwards symbol of King Arthur, whose father was Uther Pendragon.
and forwards” [364]) and is discussed in detail in The Complex
“dreadful faces” ... “fiery arms” (408 [396]) — From
Vision (“the universe is created by the perpetual struggle
Milton’s Paradise Lost (XII 644)
between love and malice or between life and what resists
life” [112]). See also “Watchers.” Dream of Life (164 [173]) — Possibly an echo of Shelley’s
Adonais (st.39).
dizzard (199, 679 [206, 652]) — “A weak-minded person,
a fool” (English Dialect Dictionary); a favourite JCP word, Drew, Euphemia (9 [29]) — Mary Crow’s employer at
used in Autobiography (348) and Weymouth Sands (319). Glastonbury. It is worth noting that in the scene in the
chapter entitled “Idolatry” where Mary Crow has to battle
Djinn (805 [771]) — Demons of Arabian mythology.
to be allowed to join her husband, JCP is repeating in his
dog, a little black cocker spaniel (995 [951]) — Based on own idiom the curious relationship between Mrs. Aldclyffe
“the Black,” later “the Very Old,” the dog belonging to JCP and Cytherea Gray in Thomas Hardy’s novel Desperate
and Phyllis Playter who also appears in Morwyn (see 1931 Remedies. An earlier, melodramatic treatment of the same
Diary [225], though JCP later cuts out his presence when topic occurs in Rodmoor (ch.13, especially 172–3).
Sam sees the Grail), and in the last paragraph of The Inmates
(noted by Susan Rands).
18 A Glastonbury Romance

Drive Gates (1168 [1114]) — Apparently a location in Dye House Lane (198, 381 [205, 370]) — In Glastonbury,
Montacute (q.v.). to the west of “Paradise,” near Northload Bridge.
Druids (33, 86, 106 [51, 101, 120]) — The religious Dye’s Hole (52 [69]) — Near Northwold, also mentioned
hierarchy among the ancient Celts. There is, in fact, “no in Autobiography (150) and in a JCP letter to Littleton in
valid archaeological or literary evidence to associate the Humfrey (325). Revisited by JCP with Littleton on 3–5
Druids with Stonehenge” (Stephens, Oxford Companion to August 1929 (Diary 1929 [59–60] and Petrushka [10]).
the Literature of Wales), though T. C. Kendrick (210), the
respected authority on Druidism, and Jacquetta and
Christopher Hawkes (62), the English archaeologists, E
believed that, while not creating Stonehenge, the Druids may
later have used the site. In addition, I know of no authentic East Anglia (63 [79]) — An area of eastern England generally
evidence of a Druid connection with Wookey Hole. They comprising Suffolk and Norfolk, but sometimes taking in
are traditionally associated with oak-trees (208 [215]). So, parts of Essex and Cambridgeshire. So, “East Anglian” (11
“Druidic” (494, 527, 726 [478, 508, 697]). See also “Temple [31]).
of the Druids.” JCP will later present Druidism in action in East Cranmore (93 [108]) — About four miles east of
Porius. Shepton Mallet.
“drunk upon the milk” of an unseen Paradise (1045 East Dereham (111 [125]) — A village in Norfolk, west of
[999]) — Adapted from the last line of S. T. Coleridge’s poem Norwich.
“Kubla Khan.” See also “Milk o’ Paradise.”
East End (620 [596]) — The poorer part of London.
Dulcinea del Toboso (306 [300]) — The village woman
whom Don Quixote mistakes for a courtly lady in Cervantes’ East Lydford (370 [360]) — Seven miles southeast of
comic epic. Glastonbury, close to the Foss Way.
“duller than the fat weed ... on Lethe’s wharf ” (977 East Pennard (671 [644]) — A village some six miles east of
[934]) — From Shakespeare’s Hamlet (I v 31–2). Also quoted Glastonbury.
in Rodmoor (247), Maiden Castle (34), and Visions and Ebbor Rocks (225 [231]) — Seven miles northeast of
Revisions (113). Glastonbury, close to Wookey Hole. Part of this area was
dumb like a sheep in slaughter (621 [597]) — Sally is bought by G. W. Hodgkinson, the owner of Wookey Hole
apparently recalling Acts 8:32. who later sued JCP, to preserve it from quarrying in 1929. It
was given to the National Trust by his widow in 1967 as a
Dunkery Beacon (488 [471]) — A peak on Exmoor, memorial to Sir Winston Churchill. It is now a nature reserve.
Somerset.
ecclesia vetusta (106 [119]) — ancient church (Latin); the
Duns Scotus (249 [245]) — Theologian and Franciscan friar phrase traditionally used to describe the church at
(c.1265–1308), probably born in Scotland, an advocate of a Glastonbury allegedly built by Joseph of Arimathea.
metaphysical system that differed from that of Aquinas. (Information from James Carley.)
Dunsinane (182 [190]) — Macbeth’s court in Shakespeare’s yr Echwyd (140, 771 [151, 739]) — More correctly
play. The bewildered physician is the doctor called to observe “Echwydd,” the land of sunset, of the underworld, of death.
the sleep-walking Lady Macbeth. See Macbeth (V i and iii).
Edgar, King (166, 929, 1138 [175, 889, 1086]) — Known
Dunstan, Saint (166, 1095 [175, 1046]) — Christian saint as Edgar the Peacemaker (c.943–975), he succeeded to the
(909–988), “the most important figure in Glastonbury kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria in 957 and to that of
[Abbey]’s long history” (Carley 1988 [10]), probably born Wessex in 959, thus uniting all England. James Carley (1988
at Baltonsborough (see 924 [884]), near Glastonbury and [12]) describes him as “perhaps the greatest of Glastonbury’s
educated at the Abbey. He later held high offices in both royal patrons.”
church and state, including the positions of Abbot of
Glastonbury and Archbishop of Canterbury. Both Edgar’s Chapel (106 [119]) — Begun during the abbacy of
Glastonbury and Canterbury maintained that they possessed Richard Beere (1493–1524). When completed, it made
his bones. Glastonbury monks claimed to have discovered Glastonbury Abbey “the largest ecclesiastical building in
his body in a story that “foreshadows the ‘discovery’ of the England” (Carley 1988 [71]). Its existence had been doubted
bones of king Arthur and queen Guinevere a few years later” until it was rediscovered by Frederick Bligh Bond (see
(Gransden [41], who calls the story “more than dubious” “famous modern antiquary”), described later as “the one who
[43]; see also Carley 1988 [113–8]). “St. Dunstan scolding found the Edgar chapel by the help of that spirit” (539 [520]).
Satan” (1007 [963]) refers to the famous story in which he Edgarley (95, 924 [110, 884]), Edgarley Great Field (932
is said to have tweaked the Devil’s nose. [892]) — Immediately southeast of Glastonbury, the “Great
Dutch William — See “William of Orange.” Field” being a survival of the medieval field-system.
A Reader’s Companion 19

Edington Heath/Junction (763 [732]) — Seven miles west- (97), and refers to it in Three Fantasies (62, 109) and Powys
northwest of Glastonbury. Edington Junction no longer to Frank Warren (30).
exists.
Elphin (771, 850 [739, 814]) — The finding of Taliessin in
Edmund Hill Lane and Pottery (160, 846 [170, 811]) — the weir by Elphin, the son of Gwyddno Garanhir, is told in
Edmund Hill Lane runs north on the northeast side of the ancient Welsh story “[The Tale of ] Taliesin,” sometimes
Glastonbury (see JCP’s map in Rands, “Aspects” [27], where translated with The Mabinogion.
a clay pit and tile works are marked along with the pottery).
Ely Cathedral (4 [24]) — Ely is a cathedral city in the fen-
Rands describes it as “a little grassy lane” (32).
lands of Cambridgeshire, southwest of Northwold.
Edmunds, two King (166, 1139 [175, 1087]) — 1) King
Empyrean (1027 [981]) — A heaven of pure fire, the abode
of England, 939–946 (cf. 1044 [997]); 2) Edmund Ironside,
of God.
King in 1016.
Enceladus (973 [931]; cf. 591 [569]) — One of the Titans
Edward the First (105 [119]) — King of England, who
traditionally said to be imprisoned under Mount Etna in
reigned from 1272 until 1307. The reburial of the claimed
Classical myth, who rebelled against the Olympian gods.
bones of King Arthur took place in 1278.
Enchiridion (561, 719 [541, 690]) — A collection of the
Edward the Fourth (455 [441]) — King of England, who
teachings of Epictetus (q.v.), compiled by a student, the only
reigned from 1461 until 1470.
record we have of his beliefs. JCP translates it as “Hand-
Eel Bridge (754 [723]) — “... that desperate Eel-Bridge that Book” and discusses the ideas with more quotations in A
had to be crossed in the Grail legend before you reached the Philosophy of Solitude (25, 27, 30, 33).
Castle of Carbonek” (Autobiography [471]), but also the
Englynion (771 [739]) — Poems composed in a very
bridge between life and death. Also mentioned in Maiden
complicated Welsh verse-form, using combinations of
Castle (203), Owen Glendower (718), “Edeyrnion [2]” (115),
alliteration and assonance.
and Porius (262).
“entelecheia” (319; 1027 [311, 981) — vital agent directing
Egyptian Ptolemies (111 [125]) — The Ptolemies were a
growth and life (Greek).
line of Egyptian kings who reigned from the fourth to the
first centuries BC. It was customary for them to take their Epictetus (561 [541]) — A first-century AD Greek Stoic
sisters as queens. philosopher, who had been a slave. The only surviving record
of his teachings is to be found in the manual entitled
eidolon (354 [345]), plural, eidola (263 [259]) — image. A
Enchiridion (q.v.).
favourite JCP word.
Epicurus (616–7 [593]) — Greek philosopher (c.342–270
Elacampaine (880 [843]) — Elecampane (the usual spelling)
BC) who taught that happiness was the highest good.
is a plant recorded in Culpeper’s Herbal as growing “almost
in every county of England” (130). A sweetmeat made from Erb — See “Paun-Bach.”
it is also called by this name.
Erebus (921 [881]) — Literally “darkness,” a gloomy place
Elaine (593 [571]) — The “Lady of Shalott,” lover of through which, in Classical mythology, the dead pass on
Lancelot in the Arthurian romances. their way to Hades.
Elijah (1141 [1089]) — Old Testament prophet. For his Eros (310 [303]) — The Greek god of sexual love, son of
being carried up to Heaven in a chariot of fire, see 2 Kings Aphrodite; equivalent to the Roman Cupid.
2:11. See also under “Ravens that fed ...” “Esplumeoir” (169–70, 1048, 1077, 1105 [179, 1001, 1029,
Elisha (211 218]) — An erroneous reference. Elijah is meant; 1055]) — A mysterious word referring to Merlin’s
see “Ravens that fed ...” “disappearance,” apparently meaning “moulting cage,” which
is used in the Didot Perceval, a thirteenth-century French
Elizabethan house (419 [407]) — Montacute House.
prose-romance. It presumably implies a period of retreat
ell (46 [63]) — An obsolete form of measurement, equal to (death?) before transformation (rebirth?). A favourite word
forty-five inches. for JCP, who employs it in a number of other books,
including Autobiography (643), The Owl, the Duck, and—
“Elms, the” (190 [198]) — The home of Philip Crow. It is
Miss Rowe! Miss Rowe! (26), Morwyn (199), Owen Glendower
marked on JCP’s map on Wells Road (see Rands, “Aspects”
(889), Porius (699), In Spite Of (204), and Obstinate Cymric
[35]).
(9, 11). See Diary 1930 (26) for JCP’s finding the term in
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani (626 [602]; cf. 638, 643 [613, Jessie L. Weston. Throughout A Glastonbury Romance JCP
618]) — “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” presents Merlin’s “esplumeoir” as taking place in Glastonbury;
Words from Psalm 22:1, quoted by Jesus on the cross as see 594 [571] and under “Merlin.” For further discussion of
reported in Mark 15:34. Also quoted in part in Weymouth the term, see the articles by Helen Adolf and Ben Jones.
Sands (531). JCP quotes the translation in The Religion of a
Sceptic (22–3), In Defence of Sensuality (226), Up and Out
20 A Glastonbury Romance

Euclidean square (98 [112]) — The concept of a square in automatic writing and had to be dismissed in 1922. See
Euclidean geometry, first developed by Euclid (c.323–283 William W. Kenawell’s book and John Thomas’s article.
BC), a mathematician in Alexandria.
“fat and scant of breath” (630 [606]) — Shakespeare, Hamlet
Eureka (751 720]) — The famous cry of Archimedes, the (V ii 299). NB: Some editions of Hamlet read “faint” for
mathematician from Syracuse in the third century BC, on “fat.”
discovering the principle of specific gravity.
Faust (340, 421, 509, 512, 820, 931 [332, 409, 492, 494,
Evans, Owen (87 [102]) — His surname may well be an 786, 891]) — The long two-part dramatic poem by Goethe
allusion to Sebastian Evans, translator and editor of The High (q.v.). I do not know where Goethe describes the origin of
History of the Holy Grail (Perlesvaus)—which JCP appears to his thoughts (340 [332]). So, “Faustian” (590 [561]). For
have read (see Rands, “Topicality” [447])—and author of In his “earth-spirit,” see 931 [891]). See also “Mothers, the.”
Quest of the Holy Grail (1892). He was appointed co-director
Fawkes, Guy (161 [171]) — English conspirator (1570–
with Frederick Bligh Bond (see “famous modern antiquary”)
1606) executed for his part in the Gunpowder Plot to blow
of the Abbey excavations in 1921. The fictional character’s
up the House of Commons. His effigy is burnt in England
first name may be an allusion to Owen Glendower, subject
on Guy Fawkes Day (5 November).
of a later JCP novel. In Autobiography (9) Evans is described
as “a well-nigh hopeless sadist”; in Petrushka [148], however, Fell, Doctor (173 [182]) — JCP must surely be making an
JCP admits that he was himself “exactly like Mr Evans!” in allusion to the well-known squib, an adaptation of a Martial
his reaction to a “Sadistic Book.” epigram: “I do not like thee, Dr. Fell, / The reason why I
cannot tell; / But this I know, I know full well, / I do not like
Evercreech (225 [231]) — About ten miles east of
thee, Dr. Fell.” This is supposed to have been spoken by
Glastonbury. See also “Burnham and Evercreech Railway.”
Tom Brown (1663–1704), directed at Dr. John Fell, Dean
“everything that lived was holy” (1171 [1117]) — See the of Christ Church, Oxford.
last line of William Blake’s “The Marriage of Heaven and
Fête d’Amour (310 [303]) — Love-feast (French).
Hell.” Also quoted in A Philosophy of Solitude (126) and
Rabelais (381). fifteenth of March (1117, 1124 [1066, 1073]) — This date
may have been influenced by the ominous suggestions of
exactly at that same hour (1090 [1041]) — JCP errs here.
“the Ides of March,” the day of Julius Caesar’s assassination,
The conversation between Paul Trent and Elizabeth Crow
so effectively presented in Shakespeare’s play (see Letters to
took place in the morning, before lunch; see 1037, 1039
Ross [xiv–xv]).
[991, 993]).
Finis (120 [132]) — End (Latin).
Excalibur (367 [357]) — King Arthur’s sword, well-known
in Arthurian legend. “firk ... ferret” (177 [186]) — An echo of Ancient Pistol’s
speech in Shakespeare’s Henry V (IV iv 29); “ferret” is used
Exeter (690 [662]) — The county town of Devonshire.
similarly in After My Fashion (59).
Fisher Kings (771 [739]) — The Fisher Kings or Rich Fishers
F are constant protagonists in the Grail romances. The phrase
“Fisher King” first occurs in the late twelfth-century Perceval
Fabius Cunctator (236) — Quintus Fabius Maximus (d. 203 ou Le conte du graal by Chrétien de Troyes. See also “Waste
BC), named “Cunctator” (Delayer), the Roman general who Land.”
defeated Hannibal by delaying strategies that came to be
Fishguard (1138 [1086]) — A coastal town in modern
known as “Fabian tactics.”
Pembrokeshire.
face to face (1157 [1104]) — A possibly deliberate echo of
Flood, the (1114 [1063]) — Morine Krissdóttir (91–3) sees
1 Corinthians 13:12.
the Flood as JCP’s version of the “freeing of the waters” motif
Faery Queen (203 [210]) — The Faerie Queene, a long, to restore the land’s fertility after the asking of the Grail
unfinished poem by Edmund Spenser (c.1522–99). See also question, but if so it is oddly destructive. At any event, JCP
under “Salvage Man.” was being “realistic” and up-to-date here, since Glastonbury
suffered severe flooding in December 1929, at the time JCP
famosi fabulatores (372 [362]) — famous story-tellers
was first planning to write about Glastonbury. See Rands,
(Latin).
“Topicality” (49ff.).
famous initials J. A. (134) — From L. S. Lewis (St. Joseph);
Folly Wood (266, 825 [262, 790]) — A wood by the
see under “St. John the Baptist.”
Whitelake River just north of Little Pennard, between Pilton
famous modern antiquary (223 [229]; cf. 287, 539 [282, and Pylle. (Information from Susan Rands.)
520]) — Frederick Bligh Bond (1864–1945), who excavated
fons et origo (603 [580]) — fount and origin (Latin), a phrase
Glastonbury Abbey in the early twentieth century, made
traditionally used to describe Glastonbury. (Information from
some useful discoveries, particularly in relation to Edgar’s
James Carley.)
Chapel (q.v.), but became absorbed in occultism and
A Reader’s Companion 21

Fontainebleau ... Blois ... Chantilly (430 [416]) — Places “full fathom five” (238) — From Shakespeare’s The Tempest
in France (within a distance of 120 miles from Paris) with (I ii 396). NB: “fathom-five” is an error. Also quoted in
palaces, woods, and gardens. Suspended Judgments (331).
Fool in Lear (538, 614 [518, 590]) — Lear’s Fool in “furious fancies” (314 [307]) — From “Tom o’ Bedlam’s
Shakespeare’s play is a poignant figure whose quips are often Song,” an evocative but anonymous Elizabethan song that
more wise and painful than comic. may have inspired Shakespeare in the mad scene of King
Lear. Robert Graves, in an essay in The Common Asphodel,
Fontarabia (451 [437]) — The reputed site of the defeat of
has even gone so far as to attribute it to Shakespeare himself.
Charlemagne’s forces as presented in the medieval French
Also quoted in Autobiography (120), and cf. The Inmates (33).
romance The Song of Roland. JCP may be recalling Milton’s
Paradise Lost (I 586–7), where it is spelt “Fontarabbia.”
“foreign stones” (86 [101]) — See under “Stonehenge.” G
Fortis imaginatio generat causas (1137 [1085]) — Literally,
Galahad, Sir (594 [571]) — One of the Knights of the
“A strong imagination creates causes” (Latin). Identification
Round Table in Arthurian romance, illegitimate son of
of “the old Schoolman” is uncertain.
Lancelot, prominent in the Grail quest and distinguished
Foulden Bridge (50 [67]) — Foulden is one mile northeast for his virginity. JCP introduces him into Porius, where he
of Northwold, Norfolk, though JCP also uses the name (as treats him satirically.
“Foulden’s) for a Dorsetshire bridge in Ducdame (387, etc.).
gall and wormwood (496 [479]) — Deuteronomy 29:18.
Revisited by JCP with Littleton on 3, 4, and 6 August 1929
Also quoted in Wood and Stone (485) and Ducdame (234).
(Diary 1929 [59, 61]). See also Littleton’s The Joy of It (85,
91). Garden of Gethsemane (370 [359]) — Garden near
Jerusalem where, according to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested
Fountain of Blood (352 [343]) — The waters of Chalice
on the night before the Crucifixion.
Well (q.v.).
Gargamelle, Queen (231, 505 [236, 488]) — The mother
Fra Angelico (354 [344]) — Italian painter (1387–1455),
of Gargantua in Rabelais’ Gargantua.
active in Florence.
gave up his life ... friend” (1100 [1051]) — Cf. John 15:13.
Francis, St. (973, 987 [931, 944]) — Founder of the
JCP draws on the earlier part of Jesus’ saying for the pun on
Cistercian order (1182–1226) and born in Assisi, he became
the protagonist’s name in Maiden Castle (14).
famous for his love of nature, and for his hymns, including
a much-praised “Hymn to the Sun.” Cf. “Read St Francis Gawain, Sir (594 [571]) — One of the Knights of the Round
‘Cantate del Sole’” (Diary 1929 [68]). Table in Arthurian romance; also one of the seekers of the
Grail.
“free among the dead” (320 [312]) — Psalm 88:5. Also
quoted in After My Fashion (206), Wolf Solent (604), and Gazette — See Western Gazette.
Suspended Judgments (438).
Geard of Glastonbury (11 [31]), Geard, Johnny (32 [50]) —
French Revolution (776 [744]) — The series of JCP borrowed John Geard’s surname from a Mr. Geard of
revolutionary events beginning in 1789 and culminating in Montacute mentioned in Autobiography (141). With John
the execution of Louis XVI in 1793. Crow he qualifies through his first name as a John of
Glastonbury, the name of a fourteenth-century monk who
“Friar John des Entommeures,” “Friar John of the Funnels”
wrote a chronicle. His “head of a hydrocephalic dwarf ” (136
(461 [446]) — From Rabelais (q.v.), the character appearing
[147]) has been explained as an affliction linking him, albeit
in the Cohen translation as “Friar John of the Hashes” (Book
at a comic remove, with the Fisher King. Dhitra B. Mahoney
1, Ch.27). Translated by JCP as “Friar John of the First Cut,
sees him as clearly “a Merlin figure” (66), while G. Wilson
or, if you prefer, of the Meat Choppers” in Rabelais (149).
Knight emphasizes the fact that his “origins are Saxon ...
“Funnels” is from the Urquhart translation.
and his wife Welsh” (38). Lukacher points out that Geard’s
“from his steadfast heart” (810 [776]) — From Homer, but sleep in Wookey (ch. 12) is offered as a version of the dormant
not identified. Cronos (20). The Geards were a well-known local working
family in Montacute, often mentioned by the Powyses. See,
Frome (91 [105]) — A Somerset town northeast of
for example, Llewelyn’s Somerset Essays (70, 134) and A Baker’s
Glastonbury; also the river of the same name that flows
Dozen (121). In the Powys Journal 10 (2000), 45, H. G.
through it (225 [237]).
Tavender refers to a report in John Bull of “an ‘exposure’ of a
fuggle (1099 [1049]) — Meaning uncertain; both the OED Charles Geard who had been for many years a religious leader
and the English Dialect Dictionary record “cheat” as a possible of some kind.” More details of the Geards of Glastonbury
meaning. In context it appears to mean “squash.” may be found in Geard (10–11).
genius loci (9 [29]) — genius (or spirit) of the place (Latin).
22 A Glastonbury Romance

“Gens” (699 [671]) — Tribe, breed (Latin). Glastonbury Museum (186 [195]; cf. 203 [210]) — Now
in the Abbot’s Tribunal (q.v.).
George Street (218 [224]) — North of Glastonbury High
Street. Glastonbury Tor (96 [110]) — The hill just outside the town
of Glastonbury, on the top of which stands the ruined tower
Gildas, Saint (166 [175]) — A sixth-century writer of a book
of St . Michael’s church.
attacking the corruption of his own times. His claims to
saintliness are meagre. William of Malmesbury claimed that “Gleichnis” (1083 [1035]) — Simile, similitude (German).
Gildas spent some years in Glastonbury and was buried there.
Glendower, Owen (584) [562]) — A Welsh leader (c.1359–
Caradog of Llancarfan, a contemporary of William, adds
c.1415), who led a revolt against the English rule of Henry
further details in his Life of St. Gildas (c.1140). See Carley
IV; JCP wrote a historical novel, Owen Glendower (1941),
1988 (94–6).
about him.
gippoos (883 [845]) — gypsies (dialect).
glimsey (493 [476]) — A word not given in either the OED
Gladman’s House (234 [239]) — One of the boarding or the English Dialect Dictionary.
houses at “Greylands School,” clearly based on Wildman’s
“God-den” (768 [736]) — “Good evening.” A rustic form
House at Sherborne, which JCP attended. It is now “St.
frequently employed by the comic characters in Shakespeare.
Anthony’s Convent in Westbury” (Gourlay [6]).
Godney (363 [353]) — Three miles northwest of
Glamorgan (1140 [1088]) — In JCP’s time, a county in
Glastonbury. It is said to mean “God’s island.” Godney Marsh
southern Wales, now split into West Glamorgan, Mid-
(103 [117]) is identical with Godney Moor, just north of
Glamorgan, and South Glamorgan.
Godney. “Godney Road” (175 [183]) is a road leading
Glast, Glastenic, Glastonia, Glaston (596 [573]) — (somewhat indirectly) from Glastonbury to Godney past
Alternative names for Glastonbury. Common Moor and the Lake Village.
“Glaston Resurgens” (576 [554]) — “The revival of Goethe (509 [492]) — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Glastonbury” (Latin). (1749–1832), German author and philosopher, best known
for Faust. JCP writes about him in both Visions and Revisions
Glastonbury — A small town in Somerset. Two main legends
and The Pleasures of Literature.
centre upon Glastonbury: that Joseph of Arimathea (q.v.)
came there soon after the Crucifixion, bringing with him Golden Bough (351 [342]) — With the aid of a “golden
cruets containing the blood and sweat of Jesus; and that the bough,” Aeneas is able to descend into the underworld in
bones of King Arthur were buried in the Abbey, the monks Book 6 of Virgil’s Aeneid. The phrase gave its name, of course,
claiming to have rediscovered his tomb in 1190/91. Around to Sir James G. Frazer’s anthropological study.
the first of these legends, a number of connecting legends
Golgothas (285 [279]) — Golgotha was the place where
have arisen, notably that of the Glastonbury Thorn (see under
Jesus was crucified.
“Holy Thorn”) and those concerning Chalice Well (q.v.).
Similarly, around the Arthurian legends has arisen the belief Gone to earth (723 [694]) — A phrase derived from fox-
that Arthur’s sword was thrown into the water at Pomparlès hunting
Bridge (q.v.). Glastonbury is often presented as having an
good moment ... gone (1047 [1000]) — Possibly (though
association with glass (cf. “Ynys Witrin”), but Treharne notes
JCP disliked him) an echo from Robert Browning’s poem
that “vitrin” can mean “woad” as well as “glass,” and that
“Two in the Compagna” (l.50): “... the good minute goes.”
“Glastonbury” “embodies the Celtic element ‘glas,’ which
means ‘blue,’ the colour of the woad dye” (121–2). Treharne Gordon, Lord George (584 [562]) — Protestant fanatic
also observes that “Glastonbury is never once mentioned by (1751–93) who led the riots in London in 1780 protesting
Geoffrey [of Monmouth] in the whole of his long account against the repeal of certain laws against Catholics. He was
of British history” (67). tried but found insane.
JCP visited Glastonbury with Llewelyn, Alyse Gore Sand (1117 [1066]; cf. 1115 [1065]) — Sand-flats on
Gregory, and Gamel Woolsey in the summer of 1929 (see the Somerset coast near Burnham-on-Sea.
Diary 1929 [53–4], Petrushka [8] and Richard Perceval ‘gorlas’ ... “gorlasser” (202, 203 [209, 210]) — Rhys (Studies
Graves [218]). Graves records that JCP got information from [256]) describes “gorlassar” as a word “which seems to have
Woolsey about Glastonbury. He was reading a book about denoted a dark blue or livid colour.” Cf. Diary 1929 (75).
Glastonbury recommended by Woolsey on his voyage across NB: “gorlasser” appears to be a misprint.
the Atlantic (Graves [347, n50]), though JCP knew Rhys’s
book from his early lecturing days (see “Rhys”). Gould, Davidge (507 [490]) — See “Recorders of
Glastonbury.”
Glastonbury Fair (257 [253]) — A fair held in September.
Goya (735 [705]) — Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes
Glastonbury Heath (370 [360] ) — One-and-a-half miles (1746–1828), Spanish painter.
west of Glastonbury.
Gradon Farm — See “Grandon Farm.’
A Reader’s Companion 23

Grail (18 [37]) — “... the vessel first called graal in [Chrétien great goddess chance (768 [737]) — A favourite phrase in
de Troyes’] Perceval ou le Conte du Graal, composed between JCP.
1180 and 1190” (Goetinck [133]). It is sometimes regarded
“Great Good Place” (169 [179]) — See “a great good place.”
as a dish or platter, sometimes as a chalice, sometimes as a
stone. The idea of a Grail derives from three sources: Great Ridge (814 [781]) — Great Ridge Wood is between
Christian symbolism, fertility symbolism, and Celtic story. Mere and Stonehenge in Wiltshire.
For JCP there were primarily two Grails: the Holy Grail that Great Western station (252 [249]) — A railway-station on
has become a part of Arthurian literature and represents a the now-closed Burnham and Evercreech line of the Great
religious mystery generally connected with the chalice from Western Railway, the private company that served the west
the Last Supper and the symbols surrounding the of England up to the late 1940s.
Crucifixion; and “the heathen Grail of the old Celtic
mythology” (726 [696]), a life-giving receptacle generally Green-Hill-Far-Away (615 [591]) — Alluding to the
associated with an ancient cauldron. In the novel, the two traditional hymn by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–95)
Grails are united by the figure of Owen Evans. It is also beginning “There is a green hill far away / Without a city
described in the book as a “fragment of the Absolute” (780, wall.”
1170 [748, 1117]). For Johnny Geard’s view of the Grail, Green Pheasant Inn, Taunton (321 [313]) — Based on The
and perhaps JCP’s—“something ... dropped from Somewhere Bird in Hand, formerly an inn and brewery, now an antique
Else”—see 471 [456], and cf. 789 [756]. furniture shop; see Townsend (27).
L. S. Lewis writes of “the Holy Grail, so inseparably Greuze (396 [384]) — Jean Baptiste Greuze (1725–1805),
associated with Arthur and Glastonbury” (Glastonbury [37]), French painter.
but Robinson insists, against Mat Dekker (106 [120]), that
“the Glastonbury tradition to the very end ... made no claim, Greylands, Greylands School (230, 233–4, 397, 1126 [235,
no allusion whatever, to the Grail itself ” (39). Indeed, 239, 385, 1074]) — Based on Sherborne School, which JCP
according to Ashe (“Grail” [12]), “the plain statement that and most of his brothers attended; indeed, some impressions
Joseph brought the Grail [to Glastonbury] ... is never made of the first edition read “Sherborne” instead of “Greylands.”
... by anyone before Tennyson.” In the early 1330s, “the Sherborne School is, in fact, mentioned late in the novel
prophecy of Melkin the Bard was concocted at Glastonbury, (959, 1144 [917, 1092]), but the identification is clinched
in which the Grail was transformed into a respectable Holy by the reference (333 [325]) to “the Greylands Pageant, in
Blood relic” (Carley and Crick [370]). The Grail was first which the Headmaster played Saint Aldhelm.” This is an
associated with Joseph in a supposedly historical account by accurate account of the Sherborne Pageant of 1905 (Rands,
John Hardyng in his Chronicle in the mid-fourteenth century, “Topicality” [42]); it is also mentioned in Autobiography
though this was probably unknown to JCP; see the articles (109), and there are photographs in Barker (plate 133) and
by Edward Donald Kennedy and Felicity Ruddy in Carley Gourlay (10) and even one of the Headmaster as St. Aldhelm
2001. See also “The books say that Arthur ...” in Parker (284). William, a younger brother, was one of the
performers (see Warden [10]). The reference to “a Saxon arch
Grail Messenger (509, 522 [492, 504]) — A traditional ... in a wall at Greylands” (705 [677]) is obscure. See also
figure in Arthurian romance, the equivalent to the Loathly “Gladman’s House.”
Damsel who, according to Loomis, was “completely bald, as
a result of Perceval’s failure to ask whom one served with the Griffiths, Edmund (507 [490]) — See “Recorders of
Grail. Her locks will not grow again [in the Perlesvaus] until Glastonbury.”
a knight asks the required question” (Grail [102]; cf. Celtic Grimm’s fairy tales (623 [599]) — A collection of German
Myth [279–80]). Morine Krissdóttir notes that women who folk-tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm (1812–15). Both
took part in the Adonis cult were required to shave their brothers, Jakob Ludwig Karl (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Karl
hair (88). JCP also refers to “mad” messengers of the Grail (1786–1859), were philologists and mythologists.
in Autobiography (569–70); see also The Inmates (65).
Guardian (1007 [963]) — A leading newspaper of the
Grandon Farm (91 [106]) — About two miles southeast of period, at that time still called the Manchester Guardian.
Frome. NB: “Gradon” is a misprint.
Guardian of the Grail (326, 351, 728 [319, 342, 699]) —
Great Bradley Wood (814 [780]) — Four miles south of King Pellam or Pellas or Pelleas.
Frome.
Gurth (43 [60]) — An allusion to the Saxon swineherd in
great creative nature (177 [185], etc.) — A favourite Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe.
expression of JCP’s, possibly derived from Perdita’s phrase
“great creating nature” in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale (IV Guy Fawkes — See “Fawkes, Guy.”
iv 88). JCP also uses the phrase in Autobiography (104), Guyon, Sir (252 [249]) — The knight of temperance, the
Weymouth Sands (171, 526), Owen Glendower (52, 498), The main figure in Book IV of Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie
Inmates (146, 150), and frequently in his non-fiction prose. Queene. The “disarrayed loveliness” that tempted him is
24 A Glastonbury Romance

presumably the enchantress Acrasia; see Canto II, stanza 77, which JCP employs as early as 1916 in Confessions of Two
l.3 (cf. Inmates [144]). Brothers (175).
Gwair (843, 848 [807, 812]) — A mysterious figure in Welsh Hapsburg (87 [102]) — The ruling family of the “Holy
mythology, best seen as a type of “The Captive God” Roman Empire” from 1438 until its dissolution in 1806.
(Loomis, Celtic Myth [ch.32]), mentioned in the ancient
Hardy, Thomas (205 [212]) — British novelist and poet
Welsh poem “The Harrying(s) of Annwn” (q.v.). Cf. Morwyn
(1840–1928), who created a fictional area of Wessex for his
(177, 184).
west-country writings. JCP knew him and dedicated his first
Gwenevere (586 [564]) — Wife of King Arthur, cause of novel, Wood and Stone, to him. JCP is doubtless thinking
the break-up of the Round Table on account of her affair here of Hardy’s self-description as “a man who used to notice
with Lancelot, and her abduction by Modred.NB: The usual such things” in his poem “Afterwards.”
spelling is “Guinevere.”
Harris tweed (322 [314]) — A famous rough tweed cloth
Gwgawn of the ruddy Sword (epigraph) — A “local hero produced on Harris, a Scots island in the Outer Hebrides.
of Ceredigion,” also mentioned in no. 24 of The Welsh Triads Kate Kavanagh (private correspondence) considers this an
(see Bromwich 42, 389). odd choice for a woman’s coat and skirt.
Gwlad yr Hav (596, 620 [513, 596]) — “The Land of Harrod’s Mill (10 [30]) — Near Northwold, Norfolk. Also
Summer” (Welsh). Sometimes identified with the other world mentioned in Autobiography (37, 150). Revisited by JCP and
or with the area around Constantinople. Evans calls it “the Littleton on 4 August 1929 (Diary 1929 [60] and Petrushka
Elysian Death-Fields of the Cymric tribes” (771 [739]), but [11]). See also Littleton’s The Joy of It (85).
JCP generally follows Rhys (241) in locating it in Somerset.
Harrower of Hell (340 [332]) — This phrase normally refers
Gwydno Garanhir (729, 771, 850 [699, 739, 814]) — A not to Dante (who journeys through Hell in the Inferno) but
lord from Deganwy in “[The Tale of ] Taliessin” who owned to the legend of Christ harrowing Hell between Good Friday
the weir in which Taliessin (q.v.) was found by Elphin (q.v.). and Easter Sunday, and leading the virtuous pagans to
He “appears in many Welsh texts and is often associated with Paradise.
the Kingdom of Rheged” (Matthews [118]), but seems
“Harrying(s) of Annwn” (843, 845, 846, 847 [807, 809,
identical with the character of the same name who has an
810, 811]) — “Preiddau Annwn”, usually translated now as
inexhaustible grail-like hamper in “Culhwch and Olwen”
“The Spoils of Annwn,” an ancient Welsh poem traditionally
(729 [699]). Gwyddno (the usual spelling) is also mentioned
attributed to Taliessin. Note that “Harryings” (843 [corrected
in Morwyn (242). JCP derives his information from Rhys,
in the 1955 edition]) is inconsistent with other usages,
as Diary 1929 (75) makes clear. NB: “Gwydion” (1024 [978])
though it is the form employed by Loomis in Celtic Myth.
is an error.
The poem is translated by Skene (I 264–6), by Matthews
Gwyn ap Nud (264 [260]) — “the old Welsh Prince of (107–8) and very freely by Robert Graves in The White
Darkness” (599 [576]), who, according to folk-belief, had a Goddess (106–7). It is generally recognized as an early example
palace in Glastonbury Tor. Generally presented as a of the Grail quest. JCP notes in his Diary 1931 (205) that
mischievous demon. For the Glastonbury connection, see the “Iron Bar” chapter was once to be called “The Harrying
Ashe, King (25). of Annwn.”
Gwythur (epigraph) — Seen by Rhys as “a form of the sun- Hartlake Railway Bridge (159 [169]) — One mile north of
god” (19), sometimes considered the father of Guinevere Glastonbury; the railway is now disused.
(see Bromwich [154]).
Hastings — See “Battle of Hastings.”
Hatter, the (514 [496]) — See “Alice.”
H Havyatt [Gap] (95, 104, 225 [110, 118, 231]) — One and
a half miles southeast of Glastonbury, where the advancing
H.P. (379 [369]) — See “Huntley and Palmer biscuits” and
Danes are supposed to have been persuaded to turn back.
“Selective biscuits.”
Haw Bottom Old Farm (333 [325]) — Unmarked on most
Hades (1025 [980]) — The Classical underworld.
maps, but located near Middlezoy, eight miles southwest of
half a crown (500 [483]) — two shillings and sixpence in Glastonbury.
pre-1971 British currency, the equivalent of twelve and a
hawk from a hernshaw (231 [236]) — An allusion to a
half new pence.
disputed text in Shakespeare’s Hamlet (II ii 397) quoted in
half-seas-over (926 [886]) — drunk (slang). Diary 1931 (300). Other readings instead of “hernshaw” (an
old version of “heron”) include “heronshaw” and “handsaw.”
Hamadryad (72 [88]) — A dryad who is the spirit of a
For other possible references, see Wolf Solent (259, 403), and
particular tree.
Owen Glendower (860).
handful of dust (351 [342]) — Possibly a deliberate echo of
T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land (I 80), though a standard phrase
A Reader’s Companion 25

Hawker, Ben (620 [596]) — Given JCP’s tendency to name Hera (206 [213]) — Wife of Zeus in Greek mythology,
characters after writers on Glastonbury and the Holy Grail, identified by the Romans with Juno. When Io, beloved of
it is tempting to think of this character as an allusion to R. Zeus, was metamorphosed into a heifer, Hera tormented
S. Hawker (1803–75), the poet-author of The Quest of the her with a gadfly.
Sangraal. Unfortunately, JCP maintains in Letters to Ross
Heracles (1102 [1052]) — The Greek name for Hercules
(125) that he hadn’t heard of Hawker until 1954!
(see “Herculean”). NB: This reference should probably read
hazel-stick (1 [21]) — A sign of the JCP hero. “Hercules.”
“He couldn’t very well ... not on a job like that” (152 Heraclitean (190 [198]) — Relating to Heraclitus, the
[162]) — Sam means that Zoyland couldn’t be living at ancient Greek philosopher who flourished at the end of the
home—with Nell. sixth century BC, and saw the universe in a perpetual state
of flux. He believed that fire was the dominant element (see
“He hath no comeliness ...” (613 [590]) — Concentrated
1146 [1094]).
quotation from Isaiah 53:2. Cf. Maiden Castle (406).
Herculean, herculean (714, 865 [685, 828]) — Relating to
“He willing and she willing” (889 [851]) — From Homer,
Hercules, an ancient hero famous for his strength and his
but not identified. Also quoted in Owen Glendower (490).
performing of twelve “Labours” or tasks. Cf. “Heracles.”
Head in the Apocalypse (1112 [1062]) — Revelation 1:14.
“Here we go round the Mulberry Bush” (415 [403]; cf.
Also used in Elusive America (203). Cf. “as white as wool.”
459 [445]) — Traditional children’s song. Its tune has already
Head of Bran the Blessed (785 [753]) — After Bran’s death, been adapted in John Crow’s “doggerel” (383 [372]).
his preserved head provided sustenance in Gwales (usually
Hermes (323 [316]) — In this context Hermes Trismegistus,
identified as the Isle of Gresholm [q.v.]) until it was buried
the name given to the Egyptian god Thoth.
in the Tower of London. See “Branwen Daughter of Llyr” in
The Mabinogion. Hesperidean fruit (183 [192]) — Fruit from the Garden of
the Hesperides, a rich and fertile place in Greek mythology
Head of Hades (203, 1120 [210, 1069]) — Arawn, King
known especially for its golden apples.
of Annwn (q.v.). His cauldron was one of the “Spoils of
Annwn” (see “Harrying(s) of Annwn” and “cauldrons”). Hic jacet Arturus ... futurus” (106 [119]) — “Here lies
Arthur, the once and future king” (Latin).
“Heads without name, no more rememberèd than summer
flies” (228, 234 [234, 239]) — From Milton’s Samson Hic jacet (97 [111]) ... Hic jacet sepultus ...” (105 [118]) —
Agonistes (ll.676–7): “... perish as the summer fly,/ Heads “Here lies buried the renowned King Arthur in the Isle of
without name, no more remember’d”; also misquoted in Avalon” (Latin). Supposed inscription on a cross discovered
Elusive America (96) and Mortal Strife (8). (Identified by in Glastonbury Abbey in 1190/91, as given by Leland,
James Carley.) though “Arturus” and “Avallonia” should read “Arturius” and
“Avalonia”(see Robinson [11] and cf. Carley 1988 [178] and
Hearne House (891 [853]) — Just south of North Wotton,
2001 [3]). See also “Arthur” and “Glastonbury.”
four and a half miles northeast of Glastonbury.
high-church (384 [373]) — That extreme of the Anglican
Hearty Moor (267 [262]) — A “rough tract of untilled
Church closest to Roman Catholicism, with an emphasis
country” (824 [789, as “Heart Moor”]), three miles east of
on ceremony, ritual, confession, etc.
Glastonbury.
Highbridge (419, 781 [406, 749]) — Just southeast of
heathen poet (1137 [1085]) — Horace; see “die all.”
Burnham-on-Sea.
Heine, Heinrich (723 [693]) — German poet (1797–1856).
Hill Deverill (814 [781]) — Near Longbridge Deverill, two
Reference unidentified.
and a half miles south of Warminster, Wiltshire.
Hêle Stone (84 [99]) — The altar stone at Stonehenge, also
Hill Head Road (326, 327 [318, 319]) — South of Wirrall
spelt “Heel Stone.” The name is popularly believed to derive
Hill, Glastonbury.
from “Helios,” the sun.
History of the Grail (509 [492]) — Presumably Sebastian
Helen of Troy (127 [139]) — Wife of Menelaus, whose
Evans’s High History of the Holy Grail (Perlesvaus).
abduction by Paris led to the Trojan War. The allusion points
up the similarity of situation in the Nell/Will Zoyland/Mat Hoch (929 [888]) — Short for “Hoch lebe ...,” “Long live”
Dekker triangle. (German).
Hengist-and-Horsa (600 [577]) — Best-known leaders of Hobbididance (561 [541]) — One of the five fiends that
the Anglo-Saxon invasions. Edgar disguised as “Poor Tom” claims to be assailing him in
Shakespeare’s King Lear (IV i 61); also mentioned in In
Henry (793 [760]). — Henry VIII (1491–1547), King of
Defence of Sensuality (72).
England from 1509.
hoi polloi (442 [428]) — the common people (Greek).
26 A Glastonbury Romance

hold eternity in my hand (641 [616]) — Adapted from hugging his knees (56 [72]; cf. 78, 506 [93, 489]) — A
William Blake’s poem “Auguries of Innocence” (ll.3–4). Cf. characteristic gesture of the JCP hero. Cf., for example, Wolf
“Christ holds ...” eight lines above. Solent (588) and Porius (729).
Holy Grail — See “Grail.” Huish Episcopi (863 [827]) — Near Langport, eight miles
southwest of Glastonbury.
Holy Thorn (104 [118]) — A supposedly miraculous thorn-
tree on Wirral—or Wearyall-Hill (q.v.) said to have originated Huntley and Palmer biscuits (219 [225]) — A brand of
when Joseph of Arimathea thrust down a staff he had biscuit, made in Reading, that JCP refers to elsewhere in
fashioned from a hawthorn in the Holy Land. Subsequently, Wolf Solent (16) and Autobiography (75). Cf. “H.P.” (379
it regularly flowered at Christmas (Old Style). The original [369]).
was destroyed during the Puritan Revolution, but cuttings
Huntspill Moor (763 [731]) — Close to the mouth of the
survived and several examples exist around the town,
Parrett River, just southeast of Burnham-on-Sea. Huntspill
including one that JCP saw in the churchyard of St. John
Level (1117 [1066]) is a little to the west.
the Baptist’s Church (see Diary 1929 [54]). Others may be
found at Chalice Well, in the grounds of the Abbey Barn, hustled by the populace (586 [564]) — See “chaffed by the
and on Wearyall Hill itself. James Carley (1988 [183]) notes populace.”
that “the scientifically minded modern sceptic can point out hydrocephalic (136 [147]) — This condition seems to have
that the thorn is a perfectly well attested Levantine species— been borrowed by JCP from a dwarf in Shirley; see
it is designated Cratagus Oxyacantha Praecox—presumably Autobiography (11). Physically, Geard’s enormous head is
brought home by a medieval pilgrim”—hence JCP’s use of repeated in the appearance of Peter Peregrinus in The Brazen
“Levantine” (416, 649 [404, 624]; cf. Diary 1929 [54]). For Head (226).
Mad Bet it is “the Tree of Life” (414 [402]). Record of the
existence of the thorn dates back in print to 1520 (see hydro-philiastic (1158 [1105]) — JCP’s form of
Robinson [44–5]), though Traherne records it on a “hydrophilic,” having an affinity with water.
fourteenth-century seal of the Abbey (122). According to
Valerie Lagorio it was “transformed into Joseph’s flowering
staff in the early eighteenth century” (80); she further notes I
that the other St. Joseph, husband of Mary, also had a
flowering staff in popular legend. ‘I am I’ (721, 777, 1100 [692, 745, 1051]) — A phrase
that becomes increasingly frequent in JCP’s writings,
Homer (810, 889, 921 [776, 851, 881]) — The ancient especially in the opening chapters of The Complex Vision, in
Greek epic poet, probably ninth-century BC, to whom the In Defence of Sensuality, A Philosophy of Solitude (ch.2), and
Iliad and the Odyssey are attributed. So, “Homeric” (28, 453, Porius (841–3).
618, 792 [67, 439, 595, 760]). JCP wrote about the Odyssey
in The Pleasures of Literature and offered a free modernized “I beg you to make Mary a happy girl” (90 [104]) — A
version of the Iliad in Homer and the Aether. For “the Homeric phrase that especially annoyed Llewelyn. JCP writes of this
view of death” (28 [67]) see the Odyssey (Book 11). I have (misquoting himself in the process) in Autobiography (536–
not traced the “Homeric wind” (578 [556]) or the scene 7). Llewelyn was unimpressed with his defence; see his Letters
alluded to at 1024 [979]). (189).
Homo mortuus (1068 [1020]) — Literally “dead man” “I saw Eternity this morning” (1012 [967]) — Presumably
(Latin). an allusion to the first line of Henry Vaughan’s poem “The
World,” “I saw Eternity the other night”—which would have
Hornblotton (100 [114]) — Seven miles southeast of been more accurate here (see “this morning”).
Glastonbury. Hornblotton Mere (795 [763]) is presumably
located in the same area. “I’ve a whisper for you ...” (795 [763]) — Probably JCP’s
invention.
hors-de-combat (515 [497]) — out of action (French).
“I want! ...” (284 [279]) — Probably an allusion to the
Horsey Level (981 [938]) — Three miles northeast of engraving entitled “I want! I want!” in William Blake’s “The
Bridgwater. Gates of Paradise.” Also referred to in Autobiography (540).
House of Lords (872 [835]) — The upper house of the Iachimo (726 [697]) — The villain in Shakespeare’s
British parliament. Cymbeline who succeeds in gaining admittance to Imogen’s
“How long, O Lordy ...” (974 [931]) — “How long, O bedroom (II ii). This scene is also alluded to in Wolf Solent
Lord” is a recurrent phrase in the Bible, especially in the (7), Maiden Castle (399), and The Dorset Year (143).
Psalms and Jeremiah. Iago (919 [880]) — The villain in Shakespeare’s Othello.
how this world wags (942 [901]) — Cf. Shakespeare’s As ichor (243, 818 [784]) — fluid flowing in the veins of gods.
You Like It (II vii 23). Also quoted in Visions and Revisions
(57), and The Pleasures of Literature (217, 276). Ichthus, the world fish (979 [936]) — “Ichthus” is Greek
for “fish,” and was used as a symbol of Christ because the
A Reader’s Companion 27

word is formed from the initial letters of “Iesous Christos, infinite variety (532 [514]) — An echo, perhaps
Theou, Uios, Soter”—Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.” unconsciously, of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra (II ii
“The image of the fish came up out of the depths of the 241). Also quoted in Wolf Solent (97) and The Meaning of
unconscious as an equivalent of the historical Christ and the Culture (202). JCP alludes to the previous line in the 1955
psychic nature of man, where the archetype of the Redeemer “Preface” to the novel (xiii).
dwells. In this way Christ becomes an inner experience, the
Inquisition (730 [701]) — The Roman Inquisition was set
‘Christ within’” (Jung and von Franz [183]).
up by the Roman Church c.1231 at the time of the
“If you get me ...” (417 [404) — Shakespeare, King Lear Albigensian heresy. The Spanish Inquisition was established
(IV iv 209–10), rather inaccurately quoted. The scene is by the Spanish state c.1480 to try both religious and political
supposed to be set close to Dover, though Shakespeare is offenders.
vague geographically. The mad Lear is described in an earlier
inscription ... found on Chalice Hill (727 [698]) —
scene (IV iv 3) as “Crowned with rank fumiter and furrow-
Presumably invented.
weeds.” Also quoted in Jack and Frances (II 188).
Insula Avallonia (105, 207, 596 [118, 214, 573]) — Isle of
Ilchester (762 [731]) — South of Glastonbury, not far from
Avalon (Latin). See “Avalon.” A phrase that occurs on the
Montacute. Llewelyn has an essay entitled “Ilchester” in
alleged tombstone of Arthur. NB “Avalonia” is a preferable
Somerset Essays.
spelling.
Illustrated London News (1007 [963]) — An illustrated
Insula Pomorum (596 [573]) — Isle of Apples (Latin), i.e.
weekly news-magazine very popular in the period.
Avalon (q.v.), so called in the Vita Merlini (c.1150).
Imitatio Christi (966 [924]) — Imitation of Christ (Latin),
Insula Vitrea (596 [573]) — Glass Island (Latin), i.e.
the best-known work of the German monk and religious
Glastonbury (q.v.). A term used by William of Malmesbury;
writer Thomas à Kempis (1380–1471).
but cf. Traherne (121–2), quoted under “Glastonbury.”
immortal horses (272 [268]) — See “Achilles.”
Io (206 [213]) — A woman beloved of Zeus in Classical
imperium in imperio (1118 [1067]) — “empire within mythology. For her story, see under “Hera.”
empire” (Latin). A phrase frequently used by Joseph Conrad
“Is it a Tench?” (982 [939]) — Krissdóttir (90–91) suggests
in his novel Nostromo.
that Sam is here asking the all-important Grail question. See
“In and out of the window” (416 [403]) — From a also under “tench.”
traditional song.
Isaiah (33 [51]) — The quotation is from Isaiah 40:1–2.
“In the gloaming ...” (1058–9 [1011]) — A Victorian song
Iseult (594, 1102 [571, 1052]) — Wife of King Mark, lover
By Annie Fortescue Harrison (1851–1944). (Information
of Tristram, in the Tristram story.
from James Carley.)
Isle de Voirre (596 [573]) — Isle of Glass (French), i.e.
In Wookey ... pain of it (519) — Omitted from the 1955
Glastonbury (q.v.). A term used by Chrétien de Troyes, the
edition. (See Smith article.)
writer of Arthurian romances, in Erec. See also Traherne
Ina, King (165–6, 367 [175, 357]) — Now usually spelt (121–2) quoted under “Glastonbury.”
“Ine.” King of Wessex from 688 until his abdication in 728
Isle of Bardsey (419 [406]) — An island off the North Welsh
and his pilgrimage to Rome. He built a church at
coast in the modern county of Gwynedd, another claimant
Glastonbury (later extended by St. Dunstan), and granted
for the honour of being the place of Merlin’s “esplumeoir”
special privileges to the Abbey, including freedom from
(q.v.). This is mentioned by both Rhys (368) and Loomis
secular control. For his charter see “Saxon charter.”
(Celtic Myth [127]). But see also under “Cronos.”
‘inavarst’ (99 [113]) — Penny Pitches’ attempt at “in
Isle of Ely (60 [76]) — Fenland rather than an island in the
advance.”
strict sense in Cambridgeshire.
Indractus, Saint (166 [175]) — A priest at the time of King
Isle of Glass (675 [649]) — Another name for Glastonbury
Ina (see above). “St. Indract was according to tradition the
(q.v.), dating back to Giraldus Cambrensis (c.1194).
son of an Irish king who followed St. Patrick to Glastonbury
and was murdered in the vicinity with his companions by Isle-of-Glastonbury (93 [108]) — While Glastonbury is
robbers. William of Malmesbury wrote his life, now lost low-lying and subject to flooding, it is not technically an
...There is evidence suggesting that he was venerated at island.
Glastonbury at least by the early eleventh century” (Gransden Isle of Gresholm (785 [753]) — The ancient Gwales,
[42n]; see also Carley 1988 [107–9]). modern Grassholm, an island off the coast of modern
Inferno (244, 371 [241, 361]) — The first part of Dante’s Pembrokeshire. See also under “Head of Bran the Blessed.”
Divine Comedy . See also “Capaneus” and “Pistoian.” Isles Lointaines (1042 [996]) — far-off islands (French). See
“Surluse.”
28 A Glastonbury Romance

Isles of the Blest (1002 [958]) — Ideal, imaginary islands. Joseph (596, 878 [573, 840]) — The references are to
Joseph’s “coat of many colours” (Genesis 37:23), which he
Isles of the Dead (1089 [1040]) — Islands where gods or
was wearing when his brothers cast him into the pit, and to
heroes are said to be sleeping or imprisoned before their
the wife of Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, who falsely accuses
return to this world. See chapter 15 of Rhys’s Studies.
him of trying to seduce her (39:11–20).
It vaunts itself not (532 [513]) — An echo of 1 Corinthians
Joseph of Arimathea (104 [118]) — The Biblical character
13:4.
(see Matthew 27:57, etc.), who is supposed in subsequent
legend to have brought to Glastonbury cruets (or the Grail)
containing specimens of the blood of Jesus. The “official”
J date for his arrival was AD 63 (Lagorio [66]). See also under
Jacob (596 [573]) — The Old Testament patriarch, father “Holy Thorn,” “inscription,” and “St. John the Baptist’s
of Joseph (q.v.). Church” (where his alleged tomb used to be displayed).
“What Joseph found” (140 [151]) was presumably the
Jacobean (1097 [1048]) — Relating to the reign of James I Christianized Grail subsumed under its heathen equivalent.
of England (1603–25). His story is first developed within the Grail-romance tradition
Jacobin (165, 496 [174, 479]) — A member of a radical by Robert de Boron in Joseph of Arimathea in the late twelfth
society of revolutionaries in the French Revolution, who century, but no connection with Glastonbury is made in the
advocated the “Reign of Terror.” earlier literature, though the “continuations” of Chrétien de
Troyes’ Perceval and the Perlesvaus stressed Joseph’s missionary
James (793 [760]) — James II (1633–1701), Roman efforts in Britain (see Lagorio [62]). William of Malmesbury
Catholic King of England from 1685 until the “Bloodless (in his unedited account [1125–35]) makes no mention of
Revolution” of 1688. him, though references are interpolated later (see Treharne
Janus-faced (61 [77]) — Looking in two directions. Janus [ch.3] and Lagorio [63]). The earliest reference to Joseph’s
was the Roman god who acted as the gate-keeper of Heaven. burial at Glastonbury may be a letter patent to John Blome
in 1345 (Treharne [116]). Treharne’s account of the legend
Jason (237) — In Greek mythology, the leader of the quest includes the following: “Near the foot of the Tor St. Joseph
for the Golden Fleece. See also under “Argo.” [of Arimathea] eventually buried the Holy Grail lest rude
Jeffreys, Judge (599, 1044 [576, 998]) — George Jeffreys hands should profane it” (6). JCP transfers this story to
(1648–89), notorious for his cruelty in punishing the Merlin (cf. 727 [698]). Joseph is never mentioned by
prisoners captured after the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Geoffrey of Monmouth. According to Lagorio, the Abbey
“incorporated Joseph into the legend of its foundation” in
Jerome, [Saint] (249 [245]) — Church father (c.340–420), the mid-thirteenth century, but it was “not until the fifteenth
who translated the Bible into Latin, the version now known century that [he] became an acknowledged member of the
as the Vulgate. For centuries this was the official text of the Glastonbury canon of saints” (55). The earliest reference to
Roman Catholic Church. Arthur’s descent from Joseph occurs in a manuscript of
Jersey cows (764 [733]) — Well-known breed of cattle, c.1350 (Lagorio [65]). “John of Glastonbury’s Chronicle,
originating on the Isle of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. written in the last decade of the fourteenth century, gives
the complete and definitive version of the English legend of
Jerusalem (610 [587]) — An error for “Judea” (q.v.); cf. five Joseph” (Lagorio [66]).
lines below. See also “Pontius Pilate.”
Judas (417, 523 [404, 505]) — The betrayer of Jesus in the
Jesus, Oxford (567 [546] ) — Jesus College, Oxford, which Christian gospels.
has a strong Welsh tradition. It is interesting to note that Sir
John Rhys (q.v.) was president of the College from 1896. Judea (610 [587] — A later form of Judah, the region centred
on Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. See also “procurator.”
Johannine (1089 [1040]) — Relating to the more mystical
and philosophical Christianity represented by St. John’s Juliet (545 [525]) — The heroine of Shakespeare’s Romeo
gospel, “anti-Pauline” because less concerned with doctrinal, and Juliet.
ethical, or evangelical issues. just (999, l.24; 1017, l.35 [955, l.36; 973, l.4]) — A slip,
Jones (99 [113]) — Bartholomew Jones. The surname may since a day has passed since Sam had his vision of the Grail
well have been chosen to suggest W. Lewis Jones, author of (cf. 984 [941]). And see “This morning” and “Today.”
King Arthur in History and Legend (1911).
Jongleur of Paris (624 [600]) — Possibly a reference to
Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Also referred
K
to in Visions and Revisions (127). Kannard Moor (95 [110]) — See “Kennard Moor.”
Jordan (737 [707]) — The River Jordan in the Holy Land Keinton Mandeville (95 [110]) — Six miles southeast of
where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Glastonbury.
A Reader’s Companion 29

Kennard Moor (95, 370 [110, 360]) — Immediately Kropotkin, Peter (749 [718]) — Russian philosophical
southeast of Glastonbury. NB: “Kannard” (95 [110]) is a anarchist (1842–1921).
typographical error.
Kubla Khan (334 [326]) — The title of a visionary poem
kernos (738 [708]) — An ancient Mycenean ceramic in the by S. T. Coleridge.
form of a ring.
Kulhwch ... Olwen (729 [699]) — Characters in the ancient
kettle of fish (466 [451]) — Originally a riverside picnic Welsh romance “Kulhwch and Olwen,” often translated with
where salmon was eaten; later a phrase indicating an The Mabinogion, which JCP frequently alludes to in Porius.
uncomfortable situation.
kick the bucket (1094 [1045]) — die (slang).
L
Kilve Chantry (1117 [1066]; cf. 813 [779]) — North of
the Quantock Hills, near the coast at Bridgwater Bay. Also, laborem et panem ... circenses (351 [342]) — “labour and
sometimes, “Chantry Kilve.” bread ... circuses” (Latin). The reference is to the phrase
“panem et circenses,” “bread and circuses,” relating to the basics
King, the (161 [171]) — Henry VIII (1491–1547), King
that would keep the working-class content and obedient.
of England from 1509 until his death.
Lady Charlotte Guest’s Mabinogion (771 [739]) — See
King, Mr. (333 [325]) — Rev. H. R. King, schoolmaster
“Mabinogi.”
and a participant in the Sherborne Pageant. See Autobiography
(97, 130–31, 136, 159, 349), Elwin (30, 38) and JCP’s letters Lady of Shalott (580 [558]) — Elaine in the Arthurian
to Littleton in Humfrey (331, 332), which show that JCP romances, the title “Lady of Shalott” (Astolat) being
intended in later editions to omit any reference to Mr. King’s popularized by Tennyson’s famous poem of that name.
role in the pageant. This, however, never happened. In
Lady of the Lake (186 [194]) — The reference is not to the
Autobiography (109) the pageant is credited to Louis N.
subject of Sir Walter Scott’s once-famous poem of that title,
Parker.
but to a character in Arthurian romance who takes many
King, Mr. Recorder (1044 [997]) — See “King, Peter.” forms but is often identifiable with Morgan La Fay. See Rhys
(Studies [22–3]).
King Edgar Chapel man (923) [883] — Frederick Bligh
Bond; see “famous modern antiquary.” For “King Edgar Lake Village, Lake Village Great Field (106, 1127 [120,
Chapel,” see “Edgar’s Chapel.” 1075]) — An Iron Age community (third century BC) built
on artificial islands near Godney (q.v.), excavated in 1892
King Edgar’s Lawn (222 [228]) — The green beside Edgar’s
(another was subsequently discovered at Meare). As with the
Chapel (q.v.).
dating of Maiden Castle in the novel of that name, JCP,
King George (379 [369]) — George V (1865–1936), King who tended to prefer excessively early dates, continually refers
of England from 1910 until his death. to the settlement as “neolithic” (737, 757, 929, 1171 [707,
726, 889, 1117]), but this is incorrect. Neolithic axes have
King Harry (513 [496]), King Henry (783 [751]) — Henry
been found in the area, but numerous products of the
VIII (see “King, the”).
settlement’s ironworks have been uncovered. Some of the
King James (541 [522]) — James I (1566–1625), King of excavated objects are in the Glastonbury Museum in the
England from 1603 until his death. Abbot’s Tribunal (q.v.), but more are in the County Museum
King Lear (417 [404], cf. 614 [590]) — See “If you get me at Taunton.
...” Lancelot [du Lac] (167, 593 [176, 571]) — The knight of
King-of-Thule eyes (73 [89]) — dead. See “Ultima Thule.” the Round Table who had the fatal affair with Guinevere in
the Arthurian romances; also the knight beloved of Elaine
King, Peter (507 [590]) — The first of the Recorders of or the “Lady of Shalott” (q.v.). The chantry (833 [797–8])
Glastonbury (q.v.) in the early eighteenth century. appears in several versions of the Arthurian story. NB:
King’s Arms (1168 [1114]) — A public house in Montacute. “Launcelot” (822 [788]) is the older spelling (see the Malory
quotation at 828–9 [793–4]), but is inconsistent in the main
King’s Wood Warren (671 [644]) — Well to the east of text.
Glastonbury, four-and-a-half miles east of Bruton, Somerset.
Lane End (91 [106]) — Near Corsley heath, two-and-a-half
Kingston Deverill (814 [781]) — Six miles southwest of miles southeast of Frome.
Warminster, Wiltshire.
Large Copper (763 [751]) — A curious reference because
kluta ethnea nekron (923 [884]) — Translated (from the this species of butterfly is generally considered to have become
Greek) in text. See “the glorious tribes ...” extinct before the time of this novel. In Autobiography (150),
krater (738 [708]) — Greek or Roman mixing-bowl. however, he writes of himself and Littleton at Northwold as
children when one of them “saw a breath-taking vision ... of
the almost extinct ‘Large Copper’ in the fields by Oxborough
30 A Glastonbury Romance

Ferry.” But that would be in the 1880s, and Northwold was Limbo (246, 416 [243, 403]) — A supposed area on the
close to the last remaining refuge of this butterfly in Wicken border of Hell, a place of forgetfulness and oblivion. Also,
Fen. However, Littleton tells a suspiciously similar story in in the traditional Catholic scheme, the place where
The Joy Of It (92) about a “large tortoiseshell,” so JCP may unbaptised infants are said to go after death.
be confused here.
Linet (864 [827]) — See the story of Gareth and Lynet in
last Abbot at Glastonbury (578 [556]) — Abbot Whiting Malory, famously retold by Tennyson in The Idylls of the King,
(q.v.). and discussed by Loomis in Celtic Myth (ch.8). Cf. the
character Luned in Owen Glendower (267).
last of the Stuarts (120 [132]) — James II (q.v.).
Lisieux (583, 706 [561, 678]) — A town in Normandy,
“laughter-loving” (241) — A standard epithet in Homer for
France, site of the shrine to St. Theresa of Lisieux (1873–
Aphrodite, the goddess of love. It is also used by Hesiod in
97), a Carmelite nun canonized in 1925. JCP mentions “little
the Theogony.
Therèse of Lisieux” in A Philosophy of Solitude (73).
Laverly (825 [790]) — A small village some four miles east
Llandovery (1141 [1089]) — A town in modern
of Glastonbury, near West Pennard (spelt “Laverley” on
Carmarthenshire.
Ordnance-Survey maps).
Lleminawc (843 [807]) — Loomis discusses Lleminawc and
Leeds (30 [48]) — An industrial city in Yorkshire.
Llwch at length in Celtic Myth (especially 92–6), and argues
Leland the Antiquary (105 [119]) — John Leland (c.1503– that Lancelot du Lac derives from a conflation of these names.
52), who visited Glastonbury Abbey just before and just after It is quite possible that they are two names for the same
the Dissolution. He left copious notes for a “History and person. Matthews (108, 157) identifies Lleminawc with Llew
Antiquities of the Nation” later published as Leland’s Itinerary Llaw Gyffes. Cf. also Spence (199).
(1710–12) and De Rebus Britannicis Collecteana (1715).
Llew (727 [697]) — Son of Arianr[h]od, whose story is told
lemans (946 [905]) — sweethearts (archaic usage). in “Math Son of Mathonwy” in The Mabinogion.
Lenin (166 [175]) — Russian revolutionary (1870–1924), Llwch — See under “Lleminawc.”
the main force behind the October Revolution of 1917.
Locke, John (507, 1053 [490, 1006]) — English philosopher
Leno, Dan (537 [518]) — Early twentieth-century (1632–1704), born at Wrington, Somerset, and best known
comedian, also mentioned in Autobiography (343) and for his Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690).
Weymouth Sands (349). Llewelyn has an essay on him in Somerset Essays.
Leonardo (654 [628]) — Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), Lodmoor, Lodmore (488, 787 [471, 755]) — Both forms
Italian painter and man of science, best known for his Mona of the name presumably refer to the marshy area just
Lisa. northeast of Weymouth, Dorset, about which JCP writes in
Wood and Stone (ch.28) and Weymouth Sands (ch.5). Llewelyn
“Let this cup ...” (524 [506]) — Matthew 26:39, Jesus’s
wrote an essay, “Lodmoor,” collected in Wessex Memories.
prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The “Lodmore” spelling (which also occurs in Wolf Solent
Lethe (342 [333]) — One of the rivers of the Greek [502]) is an inconsistency. A painting by Gertrude Powys is
underworld; the drinking of its waters brings forgetfulness. reproduced in black-and-white in Powys Review 26 (1991),
Levantine (416 [404]) — See “Holy Thorn.” 31, and Lodmoor appears as a detail in her “The Coastguard
Road, Weymouth,” also in black-and-white, in Powys Journal
Leviathan (394 [382]; cf. 32 [50]) — The monstrous sea- 2 (1992), 118.
serpent in Job 41:1.
logoi (562 [542]) — discourses (Greek).
levin (1051 [1004]) — lightning (archaic usage).
London architect (1122 [1070]) — See “architect.”
Lhassa (291 [285]) — Usually “Lhasa,” capital of Tibet,
traditional centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Longinus (351, 1048 [342, 1002])) — The traditional name
of the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’s side with a spear at
life-illusion (261, 962 [257, 920]) — A central JCP concept, the time of the Crucifixion (see John 19:34). The name is,
most evident in Ducdame and Wolf Solent, but recurring however, only to be found in the Apocryphal Gospel of
throughout his work, from Confessions of Two Brothers (65) Nicodemus. A bleeding lance or spear, often attributed to
onwards. Longinus, becomes an important image in the Grail
“like a hound in summer” (794 [762]) — If a quotation, romances.
not identified. Long Leat Park (91 [106]) — Generally spelt as one word,
Lily and [Louie] Rogers (107 [121]) — Probably modelled Longleat, this well-known stately home of the Marquis of
on Lily Brooks and one of her sisters, servants of JCP and Bath is located just south of the road between Frome and
his wife at Burpham. See Meddle (27). Warminster, on the Wiltshire side of the Dorset-Wiltshire
border.
A Reader’s Companion 31

Longbridge Deverill (814 [781]) — Two and a half miles

south of Warminster, Wiltshire.
M
Loomis (843 [807]) — Roger Sherman Loomis (1887– Mabinogi, Mabinogion (727, 1120 [697, 1069]) — A
1966), a scholar of Arthurian and Grail literature whose collection of four ancient Welsh stories—“Pwyll Prince of
books include Celtic Myth and Arthurian Romance (1927) Dyfed,” Branwen Daughter of Llyr,” “Manawydan Son of
and The Grail (1963). Llyr,” and “Math Son of Mathonwy.” First translated into
English by Lady Charlotte Guest in 1838–49, who gave her
“loop’d and windowed raggedness” (269 [265]) — From book the title The Mabinogion in the belief that it was an
Shakespeare’s King Lear (III iv 31). Also quoted in The authentic plural. This was, however, an error. The correct
Pleasures of Literature (43, 94) form is Mabinogi. The meaning is still in dispute; it has been
Lord Mayor’s show (493 [477]) — A traditional parade connected with the Welsh word for boy (mab) to mean either
organized by the Lord Mayor of London. stories of boyhood or stories told by youthful apprentice
bards. It may also mean “material pertaining to the god
Lorie de la Roche Florie (727 [698]) — JCP derives the Maponus” (= Pryderi), who appears in all four stories. For
name of Gawain’s mistress from Loomis’s Celtic Myth (228). information on Lady Charlotte Guest, see Susan Rands,
Lost Atlantis (886 [848]) — See “Atlantis.” “JCP’s Ideal Woman.”
lost purple dye (702 [674]) — Tyrian purple, the secret of Machiavelli, Signor (696 [668]) — Niccolo Machiavelli
obtaining which, available to the ancient peoples, is now (1469–1527), Italian politician and writer, best known for
lost. The Prince (1513). So, “Machiavellian” (167 [176]),
ruthlessly practical.
Lotto (355 [346]) — A game of chance involving the
drawing of numbers. Mad Bet (411 [398]) — Manifestation of the “Grail
Messenger” (q.v.). Her baldness (522 [504]) links her with
“Louis Quatorze chair” (395 [384]) — Ornate (often gilded)
the Loathly Damsel or the Maiden of the Cart in the Grail
furniture of the age of the “Sun King,” Louis XIV (1638–
romance Perlesvaus (see Loomis, Grail [102ff.]). In JCP’s work
1715), King of France from 1643 until his death.
she may owe something (beyond her first name) to Betsy
Lourdes (583, 706, 932 [561, 677, 892]) — A town in the and Nancy Cooper in Ducdame.
extreme southwest of France where, in 1858, a peasant girl
Madame Tussaud’s (634 [609]) — The famous exhibition
claimed to have seen a number of visions of the Virgin Mary.
of wax figures, including the Chamber of Horrors in London,
Since then it has become for Catholics a major place of
which dates back to the nineteenth century.
pilgrimage.
Magdalene Street (141 [151]) — The road that runs to the
Louvre, The (717 [688]) — The famous museum in Paris.
west of the Glastonbury Abbey ruins. Like “the Magdalene”
One of its best-known rooms is the “Salon Carré.”
(1016 [972]), the reference is to Mary Magdalene (q.v.).
Lower Crannel (850 [814]) — There is a Lower Crannel
magic casement (1124 [1073]) — An echo of John Keats’s
Farm just two miles north of Glastonbury.
poem “Ode to a Nightingale” (l.69). Also quoted in The
“lozey and dozey” (365 [355]) — A dialect form, presumably Inmates (257), Visions and Revisions (143), and Suspended
connected with “lazy-dazy,” which JCP employs on several Judgments (258).
occasions, including Maiden Castle (260).
“magic, mystery, and miracle” (1051 [1005]) — If a
Lucifer (852 [815]) — Originally Venus, the morning-star, quotation, not identified.
but later applied to Satan, explained as his “unfallen” name
Mahomet (425, 707 [412, 679]) — Now more often referred
before the expulsion from Heaven. Hence: “How art thou
to as Mohammed (570–632), the founder of Islam. He
fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning” (Isaiah
married a wealthy widow who, with his family, was converted
14:12).
to his teaching after his visions in 610.
Lulworth [Cove] (89, 488 [104, 471]) — A cove on the
Maid Marian (231 [236]) — A companion of Robin Hood
Dorset coast, east of Weymouth, much loved by the Powyses.
in the medieval ballads and stories.
JCP, Theodore, and Llewelyn all lived reasonably close to
the cove at one time or another. Maid-Mother of the Crucified (285 [280]) — Mary, the
mother of Jesus, who is traditionally represented in art in a
Lycidas (32 [50]) — A pastoral poem by John Milton, about
blue gown.
which JCP writes appreciatively in The Pleasures of Literature.
Maidencroft Lane (157 [167]) — A road to the east of
Lydford Mill (766 [766]) — West and East Lydford are both
Glastonbury leading out from Bove Town and Wick Hollow.
some six miles southeast of Glastonbury.
Maidenhead (75 [91]) — A town in Berkshire between
Reading and London. The bed with “one of its brass knobs
missing” anticipates the missing bedpost in Maiden Castle
(ch.1) and The Inmates (170–1).
32 A Glastonbury Romance

“make hay” (168 [177]) — From the popular proverb, “make Marquis of P. (112 [134]) — Susan Rands argues
hay while the sun shines.” convincingly that this character is a composite of the Marquis
of Bath and Mr. Phelips of Montacute; see “Topicality” (47).
“make the fig” (371 [361]) — make an obscene gesture; see
Dante, Inferno (Canto 25, l.2). JCP also quoted this passage marrow (570, 1098 [492, 1049]) — beloved (obsolete word
in Visions and Revisions (44–5), Diary 1930 (23), The Art of often employed in medieval ballads).
Happiness (208), Mortal Strife (188), and Rabelais (24, 118).
Marston Bigot (225 [231]) — A hamlet just over two miles
Malebolge (833 [798]) — A series of pits in the eighth circle southwest of Frome, Wiltshire.
of Hell in Dante’s Inferno (Canto 18).
Marx (439 [426]) — Karl Marx (1818–83), German
Malory, Sir Thomas (166, 828, 864, 923, 1042, 1045, 1071, political theorist, founder of Communism, author of Das
1105 [176, 793, 827, 883, 996, 999, 1023, 1055]) — Kapital (1807). So, “Marxian” (476 [460]), “Marxianism”
English romance-writer (c.1394–1471), whose retellings of (796 [763]), and “Marxist” (1061 [1014]).
the stories of King Arthur and his knights were published by
Mary Magdalene (994, 1016–17 [951, 972]) — A follower
William Caxton as the Morte d’Arthur (1485).
of Jesus; see John 20. For the chapel of Mary Magdalene
mandragoras (108 [122]) — Usually singular, meaning (994), see under “Bridget.”
“mandrake” or “mandrake-root”; here the drugged state
Mary the sister of Lazarus (624 [599]) — See John 11:1.
supposed to be produced by that plant.
Massacre of the Innocents (328 [320]) — See Matthew 2:16.
Man-God (572 [551]) — It is important to realize that JCP
For the carvings, see “St. Mary’s Church.”
makes a distinction between “God-Man” and “Man-God”:
“The ‘God-man’ may be ‘discovered’ in nature, but the ‘Man- Math, Son of Mathonwy (727 [697]) — The chief figure
god’ must be ‘created’ by man” (The Complex Vision [101]). who gives his name to the fourth story in The Mabinogion;
see “Mabinogi.”
Manichœan (1005 [961]) — A religious group founded in
the third century AD, later condemned as heretical by the Maundy Thursday (354, 384 [344, 373]) — The day before
Christian Church, which believed that two hostile forces, Good Friday. Geoffrey Ashe (King [241]), following Jessie
one good and one evil, controlled the universe. L. Weston, notes that the Grail, associated with the Divine
Presence and the Sacramental Meal, is connected specifically
Manor House Road (561 [541]) — A road in Glastonbury
with Maundy Thursday.
north of both the High Street and the Cattle Market.
me humpty (991 [947]) — “‘by my Humpty’—as our old
Marcion (292 [286]) — Unorthodox Christian theologian
Will [W. E. Powys] used to say” (Powys to Sea-Eagle [197]).
of the second century, whose ideas were eventually
Cf. “My Humpty!” in Diary 1930 (125) and Diary 1931
condemned, but who made a contribution to the creation
(251). The reference may possibly be to the nursery-rhyme
of the biblical canon, especially in the championing of the
figure of Humpty-Dumpty but is uncertain.
Pauline epistles. Llewelyn has a chapter on “Gnosticism and
the Doctrine of Marcion” in The Pathetic Fallacy. Meare, Meare Heath, Meare Pool (370, 418, 763, 850 [360,
406, 732, 814]) — Three miles northeast of Glastonbury,
“Mariana’s moated grange” (418 [406]) — Mariana is a
and the site of another Iron-Age “lake-village” community.
character in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. Betrothed
Meare Heath and Meare Pool are south and north of the
to Angelo, she was deserted by him when she lost her fortune,
village respectively. See also “Moor Pool.”
and retired to a “moated grange” (III i 276–7). JCP may,
however, have come to the phrase via Tennyson’s poem Meleagnant, Melwas, Mellygraunce (596 [573]) —
“Mariana,” which is given the somewhat inaccurately quoted Meleaguant, Melwas, and Mellyagraunce are all names in
epigraph, “Mariana at the moated grange.” Also used in different versions of a story concerning a knight who abducts
Autobiography (247). Guinevere and is ultimately slain by Lancelot or, sometimes,
Gawain. See the “Knight of the Court” story in Chrétien de
Mark, King (419, 615 [406, 592]; cf. epigraph) — “Poor
Troyes and Malory. Spellings vary, but “Meleagnant” and
King Mark” because, after Iseult accepted him, she fell
“Mellygraunce” are obvious misprints. “Melwas” is the Welsh
passionately in love with Tristram as a result of their
form. All three are mentioned by Loomis (Celtic Myth [11]).
unwittingly drinking a love potion. Mark was King of
Cornwall, and one version of the story is told by Malory. Mendips (32 [51]) — A range of hills between Glastonbury
and Bristol, where Wookey Hole (q.v.) is located.
Mark’s Causeway (1117 [1066]) — Some ten miles
northwest of Glastonbury. men’s almshouses (331 [323]) — The former men’s
almshouses in Magdalene Street (q.v.).
Mark’s Court / Mark Moor Court (418 [405]) — Mark
Moor is about seven miles northwest of Glastonbury; Mark’s Menshevik (172 [181]) — A moderate, “minority” Bolshevik
Court, however, is fictional. Geard’s visit seems intended to group that advocated compromises with the liberal position;
recall the visit of Peredur to Turning Castle (Caer Sidi) in it was later suppressed by the “majority.”
the Welsh Seint Greal as told in Rhys (Studies [302–3]).
A Reader’s Companion 33

Mephistopheles (509 [492]) — The name of the devil- mind clouded (1170 [1117]) — Almost certainly an echo
tempter in the Faust story, including Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus of Tennyson’s “Morte d’Arthur” (l.309), also quoted in
and Goethe’s Faust. So, “mephistophelean” (368). Maiden Castle (460), and possibly, albeit distantly, in Wood
and Stone (469).
Merlin (107, 791 [120, 758]) — The half-legendary, half-
prophetic figure, sometimes associated with King Arthur “minute particulars” (1060 [1013]) — From William Blake’s
(following Geoffrey of Monmouth), sometimes with more Jerusalem (Plate 55, l.60). Also quoted in Weymouth Sands
ancient Celtic sources. JCP draws on both traditions here. (163, 323), Autobiography (379), The Inmates (14), and
Later, he was to introduce the older Merlin—as Myrddin Obstinate Cymric (133).
Wyllt—into Porius. “What Merlin hid” (140 [151]) was the
Mr. Orphanage (509 [492]) — Mother Legge’s attempt at
heathen grail (see 369, 419, 471, 543 [354, 406, 455, 524);
Mephistopheles.
cf. 923 [883]. For the episode of Merlin and the stag (336
[328]; cf. 1049 [1002] and Porius [225]), see Loomis (Celtic Modred (584 [502]) — King Arthur’s treacherous nephew,
Myth [129]). I know of no legend about “Merlin’s tomb” at seducer of Guinevere. The association with Glastonbury
Glastonbury (324 [316]; cf. 419, 471, 594 [406, 455, 571]), comes in the story of Melwas, also a seducer of Guinevere,
nor about his confrontation with Mark (419 [406]), nor, in Caradog of Llancarfan’s Life of St. Gildas (see Carley 1988
indeed, any connection with Glastonbury. JCP borrows the [95–6]). “Modred” often occurs as “Mordred”—or Medrawd
idea of hiding the Grail—and, perhaps, the purported (as in Porius, where he is a central character).
tomb—at Glastonbury from the legend of Joseph of mommet (863 [826]) — effigy (dialect).
Arimathea (q.v.). It should be noted, however, that JCP
associates Merlin with Glastonbury in Wolf Solent (314). Momus (595, 610 [572, 587]) — The god of mockery and
Merlin makes a brief but dramatic appearance in Morwyn censure mentioned by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod, hence
(Part 3). See also under “esplumeoir.” a suitable name for a mocking clown.
Merlinus Ambrosianus (250 [247]; cf. 552 [532]) — Mon Dieu! (520 [502]) — My God! (French).
Geoffrey of Monmouth’s term for Merlin (q.v.). NB: Mona Lisa (717 [658]) — The well-known painting by
“Ambrosianus” should read “Ambrosius.” Leonardo da Vinci (q.v.).
“metagrabolise” (792 [759]) — mystify—a word originating Monkton Deverill (671 [645]) — A village to the east of
in Rabelais (77, 347), also employed by JCP in Weymouth Glastonbury, halfway to Salisbury.
Sands (496), Morwyn (314), and The Art of Growing Old
(80, 180). Monmouth (583 [561]) — James Scott, Duke of
Monmouth (1649–85), was an illegitimate son of Charles
Methwold (39 [57]) — Two miles southwest of Northwold. II and leader of an unsuccessful rebellion against James II in
Michael (697 [669]) — Archangel, celestial leader and 1685. He was captured and executed.
protector. Montacute (419, 429 [407, 416]) — A village in southern
Michaelmas (253 [250]) — A festival celebrated on Somerset where the Powys family lived for many years, the
September 29. father being Vicar. It became the setting for JCP’s first novel
Wood and Stone, and he writes affectionately about the area
miching mallecho (337, 919 [329, 880]) — From
in the Autobiography. The Powyses were on good terms with
Shakespeare’s Hamlet (III ii 157). Hamlet himself defines
the Phelips family at Montacute House, about which
the meaning as “mischief,” though its origin is uncertain.
Llewelyn writes in the opening essay in Somerset Essays.
Derivations from Old French and Old Spanish have been
Oddly, JCP does not seem to have been aware of the legend
suggested. Also used in Visions and Revisions (162), Suspended
that Joseph of Arimathea was buried at Montacute (see Carley
Judgments (394), Autobiography (576), The Pleasures of
1988 [123]). Montacute Town’s End (465, 1131 [451, 1180])
Literature (166), Elusive America (137), and elsewhere.
is at the south end of the village; it is mentioned by Llewelyn
Middlezoy (333 [325]) — Some eight miles southwest of in Somerset Essays (69).
Glastonbury.
Montagus and Capulets (550 [530]) — The rival families
Midsummer, Midsummer Day (151, 575 [161, 553]) — in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. NB: At 1088 [1039]
24 June. “Montagu” is presented as a dialect version of Montacute.
Milk o’ Paradise (203 [211]) — An allusion, intended by Moore Pool (1125 [1073]) — Not on the standard maps.
JCP if not by Penny Pitches, to the last line of S. T. Coleridge’s Presumably a misprint for Meare Pool, already mentioned
poem “Kubla Khan.” Also quoted in Weymouth Sands (331) (850 [814]). This would fit in with other topographical
and In Spite Of (102), and Letters to Llewelyn (II 44). details here.
Milton Clevedon (671 [644]) — A village ten to eleven miles Moorleaze (868 [831]) — Moorleaze Farm is half a mile
east of Glastonbury. south of Witham Friary, between Frome and Bruton.
34 A Glastonbury Romance

Morgan le Fay (186, 494 [195, 478]) — The sister of Arthur,

who plays a major role in many of the Arthurian romances,
N
including Chrétien de Troyes’ Eric and Enid, “ambiguous” Naked Nannie (708 [680]) — Autumn crocus. Geoffrey
(186 [195]) presumably because of the hint of incest, also Grigson lists it as a dialect name in Somerset and Dorset
mentioned in Porius (737) where she is called Anna. She (444).
makes her first appearance in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Vita
Merlini. Napoleon (272 [268]) — Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–
1821), the French military leader, later Emperor. So,
Morgan, Nelly (162 [172]) — The illegitimate daughter of “Napoleonic” (773 [741]).
Philip Crow. Glen Cavaliero describes her as “relating only
half-ironically to the enchantress Morgan le Fay” (66). Cf. “Nature Seems Dead” (773 [741]) — From Shakespeare’s
186 [194] below. Macbeth (II i 50).

“Morte d’Arthur” (166 [175]) — See “Malory, Sir Thomas.” Neanderthal (197 [204]) — An early type of primitive
human being, first known from discoveries in the Neander
Mortuorum Mare (771 [739]) — Literally, the Sea of the Valley in Germany.
Dead (Latin).
Neetchky (212 [219]) — Mr. Wollop’s version of Friedrich
Mosque of Omar (1123 [1071]) — The Dome of the Rock, Nietzsche (q.v.). NB: “Neetsky” (1006, 1021 [962, 976]) is
site of the Temple of Jerusalem. an inconsistency.
mossy stone (822 [789]) — See under “deserted sheepfold.” nekuon ameneena kareena (929 [889]) — Translated (from
Mother Goose (380, 511 [319, 494]) — Allusions to the the Greek) in text. See “the powerless heads ...” Also quoted
traditional nursery-rhyme. in Weymouth Sands (404) and Porius (123).

Mother Shipton — See “Shipton, Mother.” Nelly’s dead father (163 [173]) — Since we learn later that
the father is Philip, this may be a slip on JCP’s part.
“Mothers, the” (285, 512 [279, 496]) — A combination of Alternatively, the narrator may be relating what Jenny tells
protective and inspiring goddesses from Welsh mythology Nelly.
and the more mystical beings in the second part of Goethe’s
Faust. In The Pleasures of Literature JCP writes of “the Nelson, Horatio (190 [198]) — British naval hero (1758–
mysterious creativeness in the heart of Nature which [Goethe] 1805), killed in the midst of triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar.
calls the Mothers” (591). He once described his own personal Nemo, nihil (231 [237]) — No one, nothing (Latin).
mythology of “the Mothers” in his diary as including “Cybele
and Gaia and Demeter and Our Lady and C[e]ridwen the Neolithic (106, 128, 238, 523 [120, 140, 504]; cf. 757,
Welsh Demeter” (Diary 1929 [15] and Petrushka [18]). See 929 [726, 889]) — Belonging to the New Stone Age, the
also Autobiography (286), Weymouth Sands (271), Maiden period of the great megaliths including Avebury and the
Castle (482), Owen Glendower (929), Porius (427), The War original Stonehenge. JCP incorrectly believed the Lake
and Culture (68) and The Complex Vision (48, 89). For an Village (q.v.) to be neolithic. According to Olive Hodgkinson,
especially informative reference, see Rodmoor (345). however, remains from the Old Stone Age onwards have been
found in Wookey Hole (20–22).
Mount Athos (1124 [1072]) — The location of a series of
secluded and ascetic monasteries in a remote part of northern nepenthe (648 [625]) — a forgetfulness-inducing drug,
Greece. famously referred to in Homer’s Odyssey (Book 4).

“muddy vesture” (1159 [1106]) — From Shakespeare’s The “nerve perilous” (330 322]) — Probably not a quotation
Merchant of Venice (V i 64), also quoted in Wood and Stone but a phrase coined on the model of “bridge perilous.”
(517) and Up and Out (208). Nessus (856 [819]) — A shirt steeped in the blood of Nessus
Mudgley (1125 [1073]) — Six miles northwest of the centaur was given to Hercules by his wife Deianira, who
Glastonbury. did not know that it contained an excruciating poison.

muggie (759 [728]) — whitethroat or lesser whitethroat Never or Always (1174 [1120]) — The last words of the
(dialect). Cf. “muggy” in After My Fashion (123). novel, which were JCP’s original choice for the title (see
Humfrey [327]). It is a quotation from Goethe’s Wilhelm
murderous Tudor (266 [262]) — Henry VIII (see “Henry’). Meister (see After My Fashion [155], Diary 1930 [169] and
Mwys (729, 738, 772, 861 [699, 708, 740, 824]) — A food- Autobiography [216], and cf. The Meaning of Culture [117],
giving vessel in ancient Welsh myth that provided whatever Dostoievsky [158], and In Spite of [304]). The phrase occurs
food a person liked best, “the pagan prototype of the Grail later (“and” instead of “or”) in T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets
of Christian romance” (Rhys, Studies [312]). (“Little Gidding” I).

“my brother the ass” (987 [944]) — St. Francis traditionally “new heaven and a new earth” (643 [618]) — Revelation
considered all living things his brothers. 21:1.
New Inn (11 [31]) — See “Northwold.”
A Reader’s Companion 35

New Jerusalem (153 [163]) — The city of Heaven Not otherwise might a pair of white doves ... (277 [272]) —
envisioned in Revelation 21. JCP’s version of a Homeric simile.
New Wells Road (847 [811]) — The present-day main road not to think evil (103 [117]) — See 1 Corinthians 13:5; also
from Glastonbury to Wells, replacing the “Old Wells Road” quoted in The Complex Vision (199).
(q.v.) to the east. See also “Wells [New] Road.”
“Numen” (112, 594 [126, 571]) — Divine power or spirit
Nietzsche (893 [855]) — Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900), (Latin).
German philosopher, advocate of the Superman, about
Nunney Brook (93 [108]) — A stream that flows into the
whom JCP writes in Visions and Revisions, The Pleasures of
River Frome just west of Frome.
Literature, and the Preface to Wood and Stone. So,
“Nietzschean” (358, 623 [348, 598]. Cf. “Neetchky.”
Nimeue, Nineue (454, 460–465 passim, 791, 1016 [439, O
445–450 passim, 758, 971]) — The sorceress in Arthurian
romance, also known as Vivian, who enchants Merlin. The Oberammagau (151, 262 [161, 258]) — A village in
passage at 458 [443] seems to derive from Rhys’s Studies southern Germany noted for its Passion Play, performed every
(284n). Nineue appears as a character in Porius. ten years, that dates back to the seventeenth century.
Nirvanic (169 [179]) — Relating to Nirvana, in Buddhism Oceanides (23 [42]) — Sea-nymphs, nymphs of the ocean
freedom from the endless cycle of reincarnation. in Greek mythology.
Noah’s Ark (246 [243]) — See Genesis 6–9. œillade (451 [437]) — glance, leer (French). NB: “œilliade”
is a misprint.
noblest of Glastonbury penitents (826 [791]) — Lancelot
(q.v.). old Curiosity Shop (415 [402]; cf. 882, 1012 [844, 968]) —
A favourite JCP name for an antique shop, obviously
Normanton Down (89 [104]) — An area just south of
deriving from Charles Dickens’s novel of that title (1840–
Stonehenge renowned for abundance of tumuli.
41). He refers to a Dorchester shop by this name in The
Norsemen (112 [125]) — Vikings. Dorset Year (36, 78, 239, 243) and Maiden Castle (3).
Llewelyn has an essay entitled “An Old Weymouth Curiosity
North Sea, Northern Sea (56, 706 [73, 678]) — The sea
Shop” in Dorset Essays.
between East Anglia (q.v.) and northern Europe.
Old Kent Road (749 [718]) — Road in a poor district in
North Wootton (891 [853]) — Four and a half miles
south London.
northeast of Glastonbury. NB: “Wooton” is an error.
Old Malt House (962 [920]) — JCP marks this on the
Northload Street (198 [205]) — A road leading northwest
corner of Manor House Road and Wells Road (see the map
from the end of Glastonbury High Street at the Market Cross.
in Susan Rands, “Aspects” [27]), though this location conflicts
Susan Rands (“Aspects” [35]) notes that “No. 15,” where
with Sam’s statement that it is “in the middle of Manor House
John lodged, has now been demolished. Northload Bridge
Lane.”
(764 [732]) is situated there, just above “Paradise.”
Old Tavern (782 [750]; cf. 597 [574]) — This inn seems
Northover (373 [363]) — Just southwest of Glastonbury,
fictional; see Townsend (26).
near Beckery and Wirrall Hill.
Old Town Lodge (564 [543]) — “Fell’s House” is marked
Northwold (3 [23]) — A village in Norfolk, north of
on JCP’s Glastonbury map in Rands (“Aspects” [27]) as on
Brandon, where the young Powyses visited during the lifetime
an unnamed road running north from Manor House Lane
of their maternal grandfather. See Autobiography (especially
just east of Northload Street.
149–50). JCP and Littleton revisited Northwold in
August1929 (Diary 1929 [58ff.] and Petrushka [10]). See Old Wells Road (160 [170]) — The original road from
also Littleton’s The Joy of It (ch.5). There are photographs of Glastonbury to Wells, now replaced by the newer Wells Road
the rectory in Powys Society Newsletter 37 (July 1999), 24, further to the west. “Old Wells Road ... runs across the top
and Powys Journal 13 (2003), 18–19. The Northwold Arms of Edmund’s hill” (Rands, “Aspects” [31]). Cf. “Wells Old
or New Inn (11 [31]) appears to be based on the Crown; see Road” (816 [782]); as the narrator notes, “both designations
Townsend (26). NB: At 232 [237]), “river” should not be are in local use” (853 [817]).
capitalized.
Old Willoughby Hedge (814 [781]) — Near the road
Norwich (11, 30 [31, 48]) — The county town of Norfolk. between Mere and Hindon, Wiltshire.
Norwood Farm (267, 824 [262, 789]) — Norwood Park oldest church (562 [541]) — See “Glastonbury” and “Joseph
Farm, some one and a half miles east of Glastonbury, was of Arimathea.”
one of the Abbot’s dwellings and dates back to the early
Olwen — See “Kulhwch.”
sixteenth century. There was once a deer-park there
(information from Susan Rands).
36 A Glastonbury Romance

on such a night as this (409, 415 [397, 403]) — Given the Oxborough Ferry (7 [27]) — Three miles north of
common emphasis on moonlight, probably an echo of Northwold, also mentioned in Autobiography (150). Revisited
Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (V i 1). Compare also by JCP and Littleton on 6 and 8 August 1929 (Diary 1929
Rodmoor (273—only possible) and Ducdame (16—definite). [61–2] and Petrushka [11]). See also Littleton’s The Joy of It
(83, 91).
on the rocks (1095 [1046]) — into a dangerous situation
(slang).
“Once I loved ...” (1059 [1011]) — Old song. P
one flesh (53 [70]) — married, the phrase derived from
Pageant (151 [161]) — JCP seems to have been influenced
Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:5. Also quoted in Weymouth
here by Rutland Boughton, a composer who organized a
Sands (252) and The Art of Growing Old (83).
Glastonbury festival and pageant, also connected with
one of the old poignant Homeric scenes (1024 [979]) — Communist propaganda, etc.; see Rands (“Topicality” [43])
Not identified. and Coates (217). Another probable influence is the
Sherborne Pageant. See also under “Greylands.”
oof (148 [158]) — money (slang).
Palace Barn (159 [169]) — An ancient barn at Pilton, ten
“Oon, two, dree ...” (896 [858]) — Clearly JCP’s invention.
miles east of Glastonbury.
ophidean stare of the world-snake (706 [678]) —
pale (360 [351]) — Generally capitalized, a reference to the
“ophidean” means “relating to snakes, snake-like.”
English Pale, an area in Ireland in the Middle Ages where
“Ora pro nobis” (841 [805]) — “Pray for us” (Latin). From English law prevailed.
the traditional Catholic Mass. The reference is to elaborately
Pansy novelette (334 [326]) — Popular fiction of the period
painted capital letters in illuminated manuscripts.
designed for women readers. The phrase is also used in
Orbis Terrarum (562 [541]) — Translated (from the Latin) Weymouth Sands (462).
in text. Also quoted in Autobiography (296), Owen Glendower
Paracelsus (246 [243]) — Swiss physician and alchemist
(234), The War and Culture (8, 17), where it is described as
(c.1493–1541).
“the Catholic motto,”In Defence of Sensuality (26), and The
Pleasures of Literature (193, 295). Paradise (173, 198 [182, 205]) — A “brothel area” (Rands,
“Aspects” [35]) on the west side of Glastonbury.
Osiris (851 [815]) — Egyptian god of the underworld,
whose body was cut into fragments after he was killed by his pard (988, 1034 [945, 988]) — A dialect-contraction of
brother Set. “partner.”
Ossian (259 [255]) — Legendary Gaelic poet. The Poems of Paris Commune (748 [713]) — A brief period in 1871 when
Ossian, edited by James Macpherson in 1760–63, purported working-class.government based on communalistic principles
to be his, but subsequently were found to be Macpherson’s was established (information from Jacqueline Peltier).
own forgeries, though partly compiled from ancient sources.
Park Cover (1168 [1114]) — Not identified, but clearly near
Othello (94 [109]) — The hero of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Montacute. Probably an error for “Park Covert” (Cf. “Park
Coverts,” Autobiography [641] and Littleton’s The Joy Of It
Othery’s (332 [324]) — This fictional creamery is given the
[44]).
name of a village some ten miles southwest of Glastonbury.
Parmenidean (190 [198]) — Relating to Parmenides (c.515–
Otterhampton (1117 [1066]) — Area near the coast at the
470 BC), a Greek philosopher who believed in a sole and
mouth of the River Parrett (q.v.).
eternal reality.
Our Lord ... in the Jordan (737 [707]) — For Jesus’s baptism
Parrett, River (813 [779]) — A river that begins in north
in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, see Matthew 3: 13–
Dorset, flows close to Montacute, and enters the sea at
17.
Burnham-on-Sea, west of Glastonbury. Llewelyn has an essay
outward signs, as Catechism do say (366 [356]) — “outward on the river in Somerset Essays. Also mentioned (incorrectly
and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace”—from the spelt) in Wood and Stone (53), Ducdame (21), and Wolf Solent
Anglican Catechism. Quoted also in Autobiography (651), (329).
Porius (846), and The Brazen Head (264).
Pascal (1070 [1022]) — Blaise Pascal (1623–62), French
Over his head ... indecencies (342) — Omitted in 1955 philosopher, who underwent a religious conversion; best
edition. (See Smith article.) known for his Pensées (Thoughts), published posthumously
“Over the garden wall ...” (416 [403–4]) — A traditional in 1669. JCP includes an essay on him in Suspended
children’s rhyme. Judgments. See also under “render ...”

Owen Glendower — See “Glendower, Owen.” Passion of Jesus (253 [250]) — The sufferings of Jesus from
the time of the Last Supper to the Crucifixion.
A Reader’s Companion 37

Patrick, Saint (166 [175]) — Patron saint of Ireland (c.373– Penny, Lucy Amelia (dedication) — The youngest of the
461). Various legends present him as born in Glastonbury, Powys brothers and sisters (1890–1986).
as the first Abbot of Glastonbury, and as dying there. These
Penzance (751 [720]) — A coastal town in Cornwall.
are, however, in general dubious, though it seems possible
that a St. Patrick—not perhaps the famous one—had some Perceval, Sir (594 [571]) — One of the most famous of the
connections with the town (see Gransden [39]). Knights of the Round Table, and prominent in the Grail
quest.
patternost (827 [792]) — That is, Paternoster, “Our Father”
(Latin), the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer. Percy (7 [27]) — Short for “Persephone” (q.v.).
Patteson’s best ale (11 [31]) — The Norfolk Patteson family, “perilous stuff ” (312 [305]) — From Shakespeare’s Macbeth
who became brewers, were friends with the Johnsons; see (V iii 44). Also quoted in Visions and Revisions (165),
Marks (27, 30). JCP’s maternal grandmother, wife of the Psychoanalysis and Morality (8), Mortal Strife (71), and Elusive
original of Canon Crow, was a Patteson. America (142).
Paul, Saint (103 [117]) — The theological founder of Persephone (9 [29]) — The name of the Queen of the Dead,
Christianity, about whom JCP writes at length in The known to the Romans as Proserpina, here the name of Dave
Pleasures of Literature. His “sudden illumination” (481 [465]) Spear’s wife—and aptly named (see especially 243). JCP was
refers to his vision on the road to Damascus recounted in doubtless aware of analogues between the stories of
Acts 9:1–9. The specific reference intended at 638 [613] is Persephone and Guinevere, especially her abduction by
presumably to Ephesians 6:12. See also “not to think evil.” Mordred (see Carley 1988 [161]).
Pawlett Level (1117 [1066], Pawlett Hams (1125 persona grata (276 [271]) — acceptable person (Latin).
[1073]) — Pawlett Level is just north of the village of Pawlett, perturbed spirit (379 [368]) — A probable echo of
close to the mouth of the River Parrett between Bridgwater Shakespeare’s Hamlet (I v 183). Also quoted in Ducdame
and Burnham-on-Sea. Pawlett Hams is to the west of the (432).
village.
Pestilence ... Famine (366 [356]) — An association of words
Pear’s soap (275, 617 [593, 270]) — A popular and much- common in the Bible, especially in Jeremiah (see 14:12, 21:9,
advertised brand of soap in the period. etc.).
peculiarity (2, 163, 565, 597 [172, 547, 574], etc.) — A Petchere (788 [756]) — “Peschere” (from the French
word JCP is continually using; it is a borrowed phrase that “Pêcheur,” Fisher) was one of the names of the Fisher King.
occurs commonly in the ancient Welsh romances to indicate “Petchere” seems to be a misprint. (Information from James
a noteworthy characteristic in a person. Carley.)
“Peel” (499 [482]) — Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850), British
Peter, St. (265 [261]) — The apostle who became the first
statesman and Prime Minister. The bust in question here
head of the Christian Church. For “Peter denying his Master”
appears to involve a somewhat flippant reference to the head
(618), see Matthew 26: 69–75, also quoted in Wood and
held by the Loathly Damsel in the Grail romances.
Stone (660).
peewits (19 [38]) — A rustic name for lapwings.
Petherton (271 [266]) — The surname is derived from two
Pelleas, King (326 [319]) — According to Loomis (Celtic Somerset village: North Petherton, between Bridgwater and
Myth [235]), the husband of the Lady of the Lake; also a Taunton; and South Petherton, three and a half miles west
name, like Pelles, for the Maimed King. of Montacute.
Pellenore (789 [757]) — A knight mentioned in a number petit-bourgeois (506 [488]) — lower-middle-class (French).
of Arthurian romances, best known in English from Malory’s Pharisaic (969 [926]) — Relating to a traditional Jewish sect
Morte d’Arthur. JCP would have relished Loomis’s argument at the time of Jesus, known as proud and ritual-bound.
(Celtic Myth [148]) that the name derives from the Welsh
culture-hero Beli Mawr. Phellips, Edward (507 [490]) — See “Recorders of
Glastonbury.” Possibly a form of “Phelips,” the name of the
Pelles (788 [756]) — Another name for the Maimed King family at Montacute House.
in the Grail romances, sometimes distinct from the Fisher
King. Philip (4 [24]) — See “Crow, Philip.”
Pembrokeshire (87 [102]) — A county in southwest Wales. Phoenician (741, 1041 [711, 995]) — See “Carthaginians.”
Many of the stones at Stonehenge are believed to have been Phorkyad (509, 901 [492, 862]) — From “Phorcys,” a
brought from the Preseli Mountains. “Pembroke” (1140 Classical sea-deity.
[1088]) is the county-town.
Pierrot (354, 1110 [345, 1060]) — A jester in the tradition
Pennard Hill (266 [262]) — Four and a half miles east of of French pantomime.
Glastonbury.
Pilate (538 [518]) — See “Pontius Pilate.”
38 A Glastonbury Romance

pilgarlic (546, 585 [526, 563]) — A baldheaded old man. Plutarch (342, 1117 [334, 1066]) — Biographer and
A favourite dialect-word with JCP, who uses it, for instance, philosopher of the first century AD, best known for his Lives.
in Autobiography (44) and in Weymouth Sands (328). He JCP probably derived the (not absolutely accurate) quotation
probably derived it from Urquhart’s translation of Rabelais. given in the first reference here from Rhys, who quotes it in
Studies (367–8). The passage occurs in Plutarch’s De Defectu
Pilgrims’ Inn (59, 137 [75, 148]) — The chief hotel in
Oraculorum (see David Jones [218]).
Glastonbury dating back to the fifteenth century, now known
as the George and Pilgrims, in the High Street close to the plutonian (241) — Infernal; relating to Pluto, the lord of
market-square. the dead.
Pilgrim’s Progress (566 [545]) — The famous allegory by Plymouth Brethren (166 [176]) — A strict Protestant sect,
John Bunyan, first published in 1678, a second part founded in Plymouth, Devon, in the 1820s.
appearing in 1684.
’pocalypse (718 [689]) — Mrs. Carey’s malapropism for
Pillicock (795 [763]) — JCP is here echoing Edgar (as Poor “apoplexy”—or perhaps “epilepsy.”
Tom) in Shakespeare’s King Lear, who sings a fragment
Pod, Ben (12 [32]) — Surname already used by JCP in
beginning “Pillicock sat on Pillicock Hill” (III iv 76).
Rodmoor (186) and Ducdame (402). A Ben Pod is also
However, “Pillicock” is also a word favoured by Urquhart in
mentioned in Llewelyn’s Love and Death (ch.29). Cf.,
his translation of Rabelais (see, e.g., Book 1, ch.41). Cf. also
however, Bill Pod in Letters to Llewelyn (I 326).
Owen Glendower (914).
Polden Hills (198 [205]) — To the south and west of
Pilton (94 [108]) — A village ten miles east of Glastonbury.
Glastonbury, stretching from northeast of Bridgwater to the
See also “Palace Barn.”
south of Street.
pinnies (231 [236]) — Short for “pinafores.”
Polyphemus (122, 960 [134, 918]) — The one-eyed Cyclops
Pistoian, the (371 [361]) — Vanni Fucci in Dante’s Inferno in Homer’s Odyssey (Book 9).
(Canto 25, ll.1–3).
Pomparlès Bridge (158, 367 [168, 357]) — Also known as
Pit (413 [400]) — Presumably a pun on “Pit” in the sense Pons perilis or Pons periculosus, a bridge over the River Brue
of Hell and the name of an area in a theatre. between Glastonbury and Street. According to the antiquary
John Leland (q.v.), whom JCP seems to follow (see Rands,
Pitt (1168 [1114]) — Not on most maps, but a place close
“Aspects” [36]), this is said to be the place where Arthur’s
to Montacute clearly associated with Pitt Pond (the Auber
sword Excalibur was thrown into the water. The bridge is so
Lake of Wood and Stone), about which Llewelyn has an essay,
named “as early as the fourteenth century in the English
accompanied by a photograph, in Somerset Essays.
poem Libaeus Desconnus” (Carley 1988 [164]). Carley also
Planet of Love (128 [140]) — Venus. mentions other citations, though Arthur’s sword doesn’t seem
to be associated with the bridge until later.
Plantagenet (87 [102]) — The name of the English royal
house from the accession of Henry II (1154) to the deposition Ponocrates (505 [488]) — A character in Rabelais.
of Richard II (1399).
Pontius Pilate (610 [587]; cf. 538 [518]) — Prefect (not, it
Plato (439 [426]) — Greek philosopher (c.427–347 BC), is now known, Procurator) of Judea, AD 26–36, to whom
famous for his dialogues involving Socrates. The reference Jesus was brought to be condemned just before the
here may well be to the Republic. So, “Platonic” (1121 Crucifixion. For his washing his hands, see Matthew 27:24;
[1069]). “Platonic Essence” (164 [174]; cf. 1037 [991]) cf. also Rodmoor (132). NB: “Jerusalem” is an error; JCP
alludes to Plato’s belief in the Divine Form or Idea of every correctly writes “Judea” a few lines later.
material object. At 319 [311] his “platonic” reference is to
Pontyprid version (250 [247]) — Pontypridd is a town in
the speech of Aristophanes in the Symposium.
Rhondda, known in Druidic circles for a group called “The
Player King (337 [329]) — The actor who plays the King Druids of Pontypridd,” active at the end of the nineteenth
in the “play within the play” in Shakespeare’s Hamlet (III ii). century. I know of no authentic Pontypridd manuscript. NB:
plëace (411, 991 [399, 947]) — Here JCP attempts to take “Pontyprid” appears to be an error.
over dialect orthography from the practice of William Barnes, Pool Reed Farm (370 [360]) — Either JCP’s invention or
the Dorset poet (1800–86), who published several volumes an earlier name for what is now Rice Farm on the road
of poems in the Dorset dialect. However, Barnes invariably between Glastonbury and Meare. (Information from Susan
placed the umlaut on the second vowel, while JCP is Rands.)
inconsistent. Cf. also “mëake pancëake” (896 [858]), “sëame”
poor Tom (231, 1110 [237, 1060]) — Almost certainly an
(971 [928]), and “veäce” (1031 [985]). In the original edition
allusion to the disguise of a mad beggar assumed by Edgar
only, one finds “whoäm: (718, 885 [cf. 689, 847]), “whoäm”
in Shakespeare’s King Lear.
(1152 [cf. 1099]), “mëaster” (863 [cf. 826]) and “seäme”
(1031 [cf. 985]), where the 1955 edition omits the umlaut. pop goes the weasel (1031 [985]) — A popular music-hall
tune and song.
A Reader’s Companion 39

Portland Stone (922 [882]) — Building stone from the so- Punchinello (247, 251 [244, 248]) — A grotesque character
called Isle of Portland, a promontory into the English in an Italian puppet-show from which the English Mr. Punch
Channel just south of Weymouth. appears to be derived.
Postlebury Wood (225 [231]) — Four miles southeast of Punic (741 [711]) — See “Carthage.”
Frome.
Purgatorio (410 [398]) — The second book of Dante’s
Potiphar-scrub (878 [840]) — The wife of the Egyptian Divine Comedy, the mountain where souls must be purified
official for whom Joseph worked. She falsely accused Joseph before their entry into Paradise. Cf. “Dante’s Purgatorial
of trying to rape her. See Genesis 39. Mount” (368 [358]).
pressed his forehead (54 [71]) — The characteristic action Puriton Level (1125 [1073]) — Some nine miles west of
of a JCP protagonist. Cf. also 86, 740, 978 [101, 709, 935], Glastonbury, close to the mouth of the River Parrett.
Morwyn (201), Porius (49, 314), etc.
purple of Cassius (323 [317]) — A purple pigment derived
primrose-path (582 [560]) — The allusion is to “the from a chemical solution.
primrose path of dalliance” from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (I iii
Pwyll (729 [699]) — Lord of Annwn, father of Pryderi (q.v.).
50), also quoted in Autobiography (178, 471) and Maiden
His story is told in “Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed” in The
Castle (206).
Mabinogion. His cauldron is the “Cauldron of ‘the Head of
Prince in the fairy-story (211 [218]) — Not identified. Hades’” (203 [210]).
Perhaps the Prince in Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty” (suggested
Pygmalion (649 [623]) — The sculptor in Classical legend
by Kate Kavanagh).
who fell in love with the woman, Galatea, whom he had
Prince of Orange (1028 [982]) — See “William of Orange.” carved out of stone. Here used as a fanciful image for an
artistic creator.
Principalities and Powers (451 [436]) — See “Thrones,
Dominations ...” Pylle (225 [231]) — Seven miles east of Glastonbury, near
Evercreech.
procurator (263, 610 [258, 587]) — A political
administrator in the Roman Empire. In JCP’s time Pontius
Pilate was thought erroneously to have been Procurator of
Judea. Q
Prometheus (206, 639 [213, 615]) — A Titan who stole Quantocks (198 [205]), Quantock’s Head (813 [779]) —
fire from heaven to give to human beings on earth. For this A range of hills in northwest Somerset close to Bridgwater
he was punished by Zeus. See Aeschylus’s Prometheus Bound Bay. Quantock’s Head, marked on some maps as
and Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound. A vulture was detailed to Quantoxhead, is an area to the north of the hills, including
pick continually at his entrails. So, “Promethean” (972 two villages.
[930]). At 851 [815], the “Promethean act” is simply that of
Queen Anne façade (725 [696]) — The age of Queen Anne,
producing fire.
queen of England from 1702 to 1714, was noted for its
Prophet of the Lord (927 [887]) — Biblical phrase; see, for classicism, especially in domestic architecture.
example, 2 Chronicles 28:9.
Queen of Heaven (16 [36]) — Hera, wife of Zeus.
prophet of the Old Testament (933 [893]) — Elisha. See 2
Queen’s Camel (607, 611 [584, 588]) — Now usually
Kings 4:8–37.
known as Queen Camel, a village some eleven miles southeast
Proteus (852 [816]) — The Old Man of the Sea, who slept of Glastonbury. Nearby is Cadbury Castle, an encampment
with his seals and was known as a shape-changer. Menelaus’s that may be Arthur’s Camelot.
story about him is recorded in Homer’s Odyssey (Book 4).
Queen’s Sedgemoor (102 [116]) — An area some three or
So, “protean” (87 [102]) and “Protean” (978 [936]).
four miles northeast of Glastonbury.
Pryderi (843 [807]) — Welsh hero whose life, adventures,
“queer sons of chaos” (512 [494]) — From Goethe’s Faust
and death are told in The Mabinogion.
(Part 1, second scene in Faust’s study). Also quoted in a 1904
Psychopompus (413 [401]) — One who conducts souls to JCP letter to Louis Marlow (Louis Wilkinson) in Marlow’s
the other world. Welsh Ambassadors (59), in One Hundred Best Books (23), In
Defence of Sensuality (229), Rabelais (49, 350), and “‘Preface’”
Ptolemies — See “Egyptian Ptolemies.”
(10). This was clearly a favourite JCP quotation, since Louis
Punch and Judy (147, 610 [157, 587]) — A puppet-show Wilkinson conspicuously puts it into the mouth of Jack
entertainment that developed in England at the end of the Welsh, the JCP character, in his novel The Buffoon (369).
seventeenth century. JCP also refers to “the queer daughters of chaos” in Weymouth
Sands (191).
40 A Glastonbury Romance

Questing Beast (523, 600, 740 [505, 577, 710]) — as “the Hundred Guilder Print,” often claimed as the most
Described by R. S. Loomis as “a strange monster in the famous of his etchings. Impressions exist in the British
Arthurian menagerie, [with] hybrid origins in William of Museum, in Berlin, and elsewhere. He is especially celebrated
Malmesbury’s Gesta Regum Anglorum and in Welsh tradition” for his use of shadow effects or “chiaroscuro” (440 [426]).
(Grail [100]). In Malory references occur in Book 1 of
“render myself stupid” (1074 [1022]) — From Pascal (q.v.),
“Merlin” (33–4) and “Tristram of Lyones” (358–9). JCP
also quoted in Suspended Judgments (53) and “G. K.
quotes the second of these passages in Maiden Castle (93).
Chesterton” (91).
“Quis desiderio ...” (1102 [1053]) — “What may be the
“Render unto Caesar” (523 [505]) — Matthew 22:21.
feeling of shame and the extent of loss for so dear a friend?”
(Latin). The opening lines of one of Horace’s Odes (I 24). returning natives (22 [41]; cf. 52 [68–9]) — These references
(Information from James Carley.) are clearly intended to conjure up a memory of Hardy’s novel
The Return of the Native.
quixotic (63, 962 [79, 920]) — Relating to Don Quixote
(q.v.), the hero of the epic-romance by Cervantes, who Rex Arturus (584 [562]) — King Arthur (Latin). For the
attacked windmills (mentioned just before the first reference) connection of the Arthur-Guinevere- Modred story with
in the belief that they were enemy knights. Glastonbury, see under “Modred.”
rex mortuus (1069, 1070 [210, 1022]) — See “Rex Semi-
mortuus.”
R “Rex Semi-mortuus” (203 [210]) — “Half-dead King”
Rabelais (461, 546 [446, 526]) — François Rabelais (Latin). A form of “deus [semi]-mortuus.” The phrase is used
(c.1494–1553), French writer, author of Gargantua and by Geoffrey of Monmouth (VIII 23) of Uther Pendragon
Pantagruel. JCP admired him greatly and wrote an (q.v.). Cf. other references in Maiden Castle (33, 154), Owen
introductory volume about his work, Rabelais (1948). So, Glendower (835), and Porius (128, etc.).
“Rabelaisian” (505, 538, 591, 685, 843, 964, 1085, 1093
rhynes (93 [108]) — drainage-ditches characteristic of the
[488, 518, 568, 658, 808, 922, 1036, 1044]). He makes a
Glastonbury area of Somerset.
brief appearance in Morwyn (Part V).
Rhys, John (epigraph, 771, 843 [739, 807]) — Sir John Rhys
railroad (382 [372]) — Another indication of JCP’s years
(1840–1915), author of numerous studies of Welsh and
in the United States.
Arthurian literature, including Studies in the Arthurian Legend
Ranke’s history of the Popes (15 [35]) — Leopold von (1891). JCP bought a copy of this book when giving his
Ranke (1795–1886) was a German historian who wrote a extension lectures in 1898 (Autobiography [284]), and used
well-known History of the Popes. it extensively here and in Maiden Castle and Porius. In a 1937
letter to Gerard Casey, he wrote: “I don’t know any book
Ravens that fed Elisha (211 [218]) — See 1 Kings 17:1–6.
that has so initiated me into the mythology of Wales and of
“Elisha” is clearly a slip for “Elijah.”
my Welsh ancestors. I have read it again and again and again”
Reading (915 [876]) — A town in Berkshire well-known (“Letters to Casey” [158]). See also “Jesus, Oxford.”
for the production of biscuits. See also “Huntley and Palmer
Richmond (794 [761]) — An area of southwest London.
biscuits” and “Selective biscuits.”
ride-a-cock 9179 [188]) — An allusion to the nursery-rhyme
Real Presence (134 [145]) — The Roman Catholic
beginning “Ride a cock-horse / To Banbury Cross.”
theological doctrine of transubstantiation proclaims that the
substance of the body and blood of Christ is present in the ring and ting (364 [354]) — A favourite phrase of JCP’s.
Eucharist. See Wood and Stone (449, 644), Rodmoor (186), Weymouth
Sands (475), Porius (164), The Inmates (256), and even Homer
reciprocity (813 [779]) — I have not traced Hardy’s use of
and the Aether (189), and Letters to Llewelyn (II 32).
the word.
robber band (163 [173]) — Doubtless based on JCP’s own
Recorders of Glastonbury (507 [489]) — An ancient office
childhood experience. “At Dorchester he forced his
in Glastonbury, second to the mayor, dating from the
personality upon his little world by organizing an army of
granting of a charter to the town in 1705; see also “King,
which he was the general” (Littleton Powys, The Powys Family
Peter.”
[24]).
Red Book of Hergest (771 [739]) — One of the great
Robinson (141 [152]) — The use of the surname here recalls
manuscript repositories of ancient Welsh literature,
that of Joseph Armitage Robinson, author of Two Glastonbury
containing texts of The Mabinogion (q.v.) and some of the
Legends (1926).
poems of Taliessin.
Rock of the Apostolic Church (620 [596]) — See Matthew
Rembrandt (205, 440, 462, 613 [212, 426, 447, 590]) —
16:18. Cf. also Wood and Stone (209).
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–69), Dutch painter. “The
Healing of the Sick” (613 [590]) is an etching, also known
A Reader’s Companion 41

Roderick (87 [102]) — A Spanish hero, the last of the immortality of the soul, supported the idea of free will, and
Visigothic kings, around whose name a number of legends generally opposed itself to the more legalistic Pharisees.
have collected.
Sagittarius (56 [73]) — The ninth sign of the Zodiac, which
Roland (451 [437]) — A Frankish hero who died a heroic represents the Centaur, Chiron, known for his wisdom.
death in Charlemagne’s army in AD 778. See the Old French
St. Audrie’s Bay (1117 [1066]) — A bay on the Somerset
poem The Song of Roland.
coast between Watchet and Quantock’s Head. (Information
Rollo (450 [436]) — A Viking chieftain (c.860–c.932), who from Susan Rands.)
became the first Duke of Normandy in the tenth century.
St. Benignus’ Church (193 [201]) — A church to the west
See also “Varangian.”
of the Abbey Ruins in Glastonbury, more often known
“rolls they stones” (633 [609]) — The reference is to nowadays as St. Benedict’s Church, but in fact dedicated to
Matthew 27:60 and 28:2. Cf. Weymouth Sands (532). St. Benignus, an Irish saint. The present building dates from
the sixteenth century.
Roman road (367, 418 357, 406]) — There is still a section
of road between Glastonbury and Street known as the Roman Saint-Cloud (4 [24]) — A suburb and park on the west of
Way. According to Susan Rands (“Aspects” [36]), it was Paris towards Versailles.
discovered and excavated in 1921.
St. John the Baptist’s Church (134 [145]) — In Glastonbury
Romeo and Juliet (619 [595]) — See Shakespeare’s play. High Street, dating mainly from the fifteenth century. “Not
many decades ago, if we are to trust a Somerset guidebook,
Rousseau (439 [426]) — Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–70),
tourists were shown in St. Catherine’s chapel in the church
French writer and philosopher, best known for his
of St. John the Baptist in Glastonbury what purported to be
posthumously published Confessions, but also the author of
the sepulchre of St. Joseph” (Loomis, Grail [268]). The Rev.
Emile, a book about education, and The Social Contract.
L. S. Lewis believed he had discovered the tomb carved with
Rubens (746 [715]) — Paul Rubens (1577–1640), Flemish the initials “J.A.,” usually believed to stand for John Allen.
painter. But in St. Joseph of Arimathea at Glastonbury he wrote that
Rubicon (370 [359]) — A river separating Cisalpine Gaul the alleged tomb had been removed from St. Joseph’s Chapel
from Italy, crossed by Julius Caesar when invading Italy at during the Commonwealth to the churchyard of St. John
the beginning of the Civil War in 49 BC. “Crossing the the Baptist’s Church. In 1928 “loving hands” (presumably
Rubicon” then became a phrase for committing oneself to a his own) brought it into the church and placed it “in the
course of action. ancient St. Katherine’s chapel, the north transept ... The tomb
was generally called the John Allen tomb. It may have been
Rudge, Barnaby — See “Barnaby Rudge.” so called to protect it. Anyway it bears the initials of Joseph
ruined chantry (828 [793]) — Perhaps an echo of an of Arimathea on it—J. A., with a caduceus between them”
incident in Wordsworth’s Prelude (1850 text, II 103–27), (153). A glass top was placed on the tomb (154). The current
though the phrase is obvious enough in the circumstances. church guidebook (2004) merely mentions “a late fifteenth-
century altar tomb ... moved to its present position in 1928”
“run-down adventurers” (64 [80]; cf. 105, 149 [119, (Boyd and Bonham [10]). During his Glastonbury visit in
159]) — Not identified. July 1929, JCP reports seeing “the great authentic
Russian book (720 [691]) — A novel by Fyodor Dostoievsky sarcophagus of Saint Joseph of Arimathea” (Diary 1929 [54]).
(1821–81), probably The Brothers Karamazov. In a 1937 letter to Gerard Casey JCP wrote: “To my
recollection St. Joseph’s tomb wasn’t by the Pulpit but on the
left side of the Church as you go in” (“Letters to Casey” [158]).
S Later in the novel, however, the narrator describes it as “not
one of the most authentic ossuaries of our planet’s history”
Sabine women (88 [103]) — The famous “Rape of the (855 [819]).
Sabine Women” is supposed to have taken place in one of St. John’s Day (270 [266]) — St. John the Baptist’s Day,
the earliest periods of Roman history. Romulus invited the June 24. Also Midsummer Day. The reference at 1113 [1062]
Sabine men to participate in sports while the Roman youths looks back to Mary Crow’s Grail vision at 577 [555–6]).
carried off their women and made them their wives. The
Sabines inhabited central Italy, northeast of Rome. Saint Joseph’s Chapel (165 [175]; cf. 648 [623]) — Site of
the original wattle church said to have been built by Joseph
Sacred Fount (286 [281]) — See “Chalice Well.” of Arimathea, now occupied by St. Mary’s Church. According
Sacred Symbols of Saint Joseph (589 [567]) — “a green cross to tradition, Joseph’s original church, dedicated to Mary, was
between two golden cruets” (572 [551]). destroyed by the fire of 1184.

Sadducee (138 [149]) — A member of a religious group St. Joseph’s pence (1120 [1069]) — JCP may be thinking
within Judaism at the time of Jesus which rejected the of “Peter’s Pence,” an annual tribute of a penny paid by
42 A Glastonbury Romance

Catholic families to Rome at the Feast of St. Peter, now a sans pitié (31 [49]) — without pity (French).
more general charity.
Saxmundham (95 [110]) — A small town in Suffolk, upon
St. Margaret’s Chapel (331 [323]) — The chapel of the men’s which the Mundham of Rodmoor (37) appears to be based.
almshouses, known for its bell-cote. Since JCP’s time, the
Saxon charter (287 [282]; cf. 367 [357]) — A charter
chapel has been restored.
supposed to have been granted to Glastonbury by King Ina
St. Mary’s Church (106 [119]) or Chapel (166 [178]) — (q.v.). It is a forgery, but may reflect an ancient tradition.
The late twelfth-century Lady Chapel in the Abbey Ruins,
Saxon kings (287 [282]) — See “Edgar, King” and
also known as the Virgin’s Chapel, dedicated in 1186 after
“Edmunds, two King”.
the fire of 1184. For a photo showing the “four concentric
rings” of stone carving (328 [320]), see Carley 1988 (26), scaramouch (347, 615 [339, 591]) — A slick character in
with details of the Massacre of the Innocents on the following Italian comedy introduced into English drama in the
page. seventeenth century. “Scamooches” (177 [186]) in the dialect
version.
St. Michael the Archangel (96 [110]) — The tower of the
ruined late thirteenth-century church dedicated to St. Scilly Isles (742 [712]) — Islands to the west of Cornwall
Michael the Archangel is on the top of Glastonbury Tor and in what is now known as the Celtic Sea. The legend about
is a conspicuous landmark for miles around. Unless extensive Cronos being imprisoned in the Scillies (839 [804]) is told
changes have occurred since JCP’s time, it would have been in Plutarch. JCP doubtless derived the reference from Rhys,
quite impossible for anyone to climb up within the tower Studies (368), though Rhys does not specifically name the
(ch. 29). Scillies. Galahaut is also said to come from Surluse or the
Scilly Isles in Porius.
St. Michael’s Inn (204, 255, 256 [211, 251, 252]) — “This
perfectly matches the description of the seventeenth-century Scopas (2 [22]) — A Greek sculptor from the island of Poros
‘Rifleman’s Arms’ at number 4 Chilkwell Street” (Townsend who flourished between 395 and 350 BC.
[26]). Scotch firs (1168 [1114]) — Trees in Montacute frequently
St. Patrick’s Chapel (1121 [1070]) — A separate sixteenth- mentioned by JCP and by Llewelyn. See, for example,
century chapel within the Abbey Grounds, originally serving Autobiography (3). JCP often writes of them at other places,
the almshouses. The “stone” refers to the stone altar, including Brandon (see 4 [24]).
mentioned at 571–2 [551]. There is an early nineteenth- Scotland Yard (678 [651]) — Formerly (until 1890) the
century sketch of the chapel in Carley 1988 (71). See also location of British Police headquarters.
“Patrick, Saint.”
Scott, Sir Walter (29 [47]) — Scots novelist, poet, and lawyer
Saint Sophia’s (705 [677]) — A well-known church, now a (1771–1832), whose Waverley novels are full of portraits of
mosque, in Istanbul. lawyers.
saint still invoked in Glastonbury (625 [601]) — Mary
screech owl (849 [813]) — Ornithologically inaccurate, since
Magdalene (q.v.)
screech-owls are exclusively a North American family, but a
St. Thomas Chapel (106 [119]) — “... the Chapel of Saint popular name for the barn owl (cf. 829 [794]). JCP also
Thomas the Martyr in the north transept, which has refers to a screech-owl in England in Wood and Stone (263),
sometimes been miscalled the ‘Loretto Chapel’” (Bond as does Llewelyn in “An Owl and a Swallow” (Earth Memories)
[114]). and Love and Death (12). This reference may well be an
allusion to a passage in Wordsworth’s Prelude (1850 text, V
St. Vitus dance (519–20, 1050 [501–2, 1003]) — The
364–88).
popular name for chorea, a pathological disease of children
characterized by involuntary movement. “sea-holly” (818 [784]) — JCP devotes a whole chapter to
“Sea-Holly” in Weymouth Sands, where once again it is
Salisbury, Salisbury Plain (75 [90–91]) — Salisbury is the
associated with Chesil Beach (357). Apparently the
county-town of Wiltshire; Salisbury Plain is the great plain
aphrodisiac qualities of the plant were locally celebrated.
to the north on which Stonehenge stands.
Second Death (643 [618]) — Revelation 2:11. Also quoted
Salon Carré — See “Louvre.”
in Morwyn (211) and The Brazen Head (27).
Salvage Man (203 [210]) — A wild man of the woods, the
Sedgemoor (252, 583, 661 [249, 561, 636]) — King’s
Renaissance equivalent of a “noble savage.” The reference is
Sedgemoor, some six miles southwest of Glastonbury, scene
to Spenser’s The Faerie Queene (Book 6, Canto 4) where
of the defeat of the Duke of Marlborough’s rebellion in 1685.
Calepine is rescued by a “saluage man” (see introductory
The battle took place near the village of Westonzoyland.
quatrain). Also mentioned in Dorothy M. Richardson (12).
“Sedgemoor Drain” (981 [938]) refers to a drainage ditch.
sang-froid (442 [429]) — calm, self-possession (French).
Selective biscuits (379 [369]) — Perhaps Morgan Nelly’s
sans cesse (728 [699]) — endlessly (French). version of “digestive biscuits” or an “H.P.” selection. “H.P.”
A Reader’s Companion 43

refers to Huntley and Palmers, the Reading firm well-known si fractus inlabatur orbis (1033 [987]) — Translated in
for such biscuits mentioned earlier (219 [225]); see The Dorset Mortal Strife (90) as “though the world crashes about [my]
Year (89). ears”. From Horace. NB: The more correct form is
“illabatur”.
servant whose name was more than one syllable (537
[517]) — But what about Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy (433 [419])? Silurian (650 [625]) — Relating to the Silures, a tribe
inhabiting southeast Wales in ancient times.
Severn, River (507 [490]) — A river flowing from Wales
into the Bristol Channel. Silver Bowl (474, 512 [458, 494]) — JCP is here making
an allusion to a scene in the Arthurian romance Peredur, in
Severn Tunnel (774 [742]) — A railway tunnel to Wales
which a strange knight insults Guinevere “by seizing the
under the River Severn north of Bristol.
golden goblet from which she was being served” (Rhys,
She felt at that moment ... (51 [68]) — Mary is indulging Studies [75–77]). Mr Evans may be thinking of the story of
here in a favourite JCP practice that in Porius is given the the drops from Ceridwen’s cauldron conferring wisdom in
name “cavoseniargizing” (85). “[The Tale of ] Taliessin.” JCP mentions a silver bowl which
“She has a lovely face” (1150 [1097]) — Geard’s remark he bought in England in 1929 (Diary 1929 [70–71, 77])
echoes Lancelot’s when looking at the body of the “Lady of and compares with the Arthurian one. It was used at Phudd
Shalott” in Tennyson’s poem (l.169). Bottom, New York, while he was writing A Glastonbury
Romance (Diary 1931 [101]).
Shelley (1040, 1043 [994, 997]) — Percy Bysshe Shelley
(1792–1822), British Romantic poet known for his social Silver Street (100, 201 [114, 209]) — A narrow road parallel
and political idealism. to Glastonbury High Street just north of the Abbey Ruins.

Shepton Mallet (93 [108]) — A small town nine miles Simeon, Dr. (958, 979 [916, 936]) — Charles Simeon
northeast of Glastonbury. (1759–1836), preacher and writer.

Sheraton (359 [350]) — Relating to furniture designed by Simnel, Lambert (584 562]) — A humbly born impostor
a British cabinet-maker, Thomas Sheraton (1751–1806). who claimed the English throne and was crowned in Dublin
as Edward VI in 1487. His invading forces were quickly
Sherborne Prep, Sherborne School (958, 1144 [917, defeated by Henry VIII.
1092]) — “Sherborne Preparatory School which, though
independent, had always been a main supplier of boys to Simple-Sal (528 [509]) — Presumably a female version of
Sherborne School” (Gourlay [14]). Sherborne is a well- the nursery-rhyme figure Simple Simon.
known public school at Sherborne in Dorset, where most of Sinbad the Sailor (805 [771]) — A prominent figure in The
the Powys brothers, including JCP, were educated. Littleton Arabian Nights’ Entertainments.
Powys later became headmaster of the “Prep.” These are
‘sing for its supper’ (350 [341]) — From the nursery rhyme
probably slips for “Greylands” (q.v.), since that is how the
“Little Tommy Tucker” (information from Kate Kavanagh).
school is referred to elsewhere in the novel. See also under
“Pageant.” In some early printings of the first edition “Sissy Jones ... dilly dilly!” (376 [368]) — Presumably, JCP’s
“Sherborne” is given instead of “Greylands” elsewhere in the invented children’s rhyme.
text, but these are the only instances in which “Sherborne”
Sisyphuses (591 [569]) — Sisyphus was punished in
occurs in the 1955 edition.
Classical mythology by having to roll a large stone up a hill
shingle ... vigil (340) — In the 1955 edition [331], this reads: only to see it roll down again.
“shingle over which the formidable stone image of the Witch
six well-known saints (106 [120]) — JCP’s “something like”
of Wookey held her vigil.” (See Smith article.)
suggests uncertainty, and he later lists seven Glastonbury
Shipton, Mother (584, 1096 [572, 1017]) — A prophetess saints (166). These are St. Joseph, St. David, St. Patrick, St.
said to have lived in the reign of Henry VIII, though Dunstan, St. Indractus, St. Gildas, and St. Benignus. The
references to her do not appear until 1641. Glastonbury claims to several of these are dubious.
shirt of Nessus (856 [819]) — See “Nessus.” Slaughtering Stone (85 [100]) — A large fallen stone by
the ditch at the entrance of Stonehenge, generally known as
shogged off (495, 595 [479, 573]) — A dialect phrase
the “Slaughter Stone,” though it once stood upright and
meaning “departed,” employed frequently by JCP (e.g.,
served, with a similar stone now vanished, as an entrance-
Autobiography [337]), perhaps echoing Shakespeare’s Henry
gate.
V (II i 47 and II iii 48).
Smith, Clarissa (274, 515 [269, 497]) — Waitress at the
Shore, Jane (584 [562]) — The mistress of Edward IV, who
Pilgrims’ Inn. Her first name in the immediate context of
died around 1527. She is supposed to have died in a ditch
“seduction” (518 [501]) surely echoes Samuel Richardson’s
and therefore to have given her name to Shoreditch, but the
Clarissa.
name of that area of London is recorded much earlier.
44 A Glastonbury Romance

Socrates (301 [294]) — Athenian philosopher (469–399 statim post passionem Christi (562 [541]) — Translated
BC), whose ideas are presented to us by Plato in his dialogues, (from the Latin) in text.
where Socrates is generally the principal speaker. His
Steen, Jan (385 [374]) — Dutch genre painter (1626–79).
“abstracted trance” (cf. his “introspective trances” recorded
in Confessions of Two Brothers [18]) recalls the “queer trances” “steep-down gulfs of liquid fire” (94 [109]) — From
(Porius [121]) of other JCP characters, including Wolf Solent, Shakespeare’s Othello (V ii 290).
Owen Glendower, and Myrddin Wyllt. He also appears as a Stert Flats, Stert Island (1117 [1066]) — Both are located
character in Morwyn (Parts 4 and 5). at the mouth of the River Parrett, near Burnham-on-Sea.
Sodbury (193 [294]) — The name is presumably derived Stileway (763 [732]) — Two and a half miles northwest of
from Chipping Sodbury, a town in Gloucestershire northeast Glastonbury, close to Meare.
of Bristol. Adam of Sodbury was an Abbot of Glastonbury,
1323–34. still small voice (192 [200]) — 1 Kings 19:12. A favourite
JCP quotation. See also After My Fashion (180), Ducdame
softer than sleep (532 [512]) — From Tennyson’s poem (283), Wolf Solent (387), The Brazen Head (270), The Complex
“The Palace of Art” (l.87). (Information from James Carley.) Vision (191), and The Pleasures of Literature (39–40, 354,
Also quoted in After My Fashion (25), and cf. “soft as sleep” 562).
in Wood and Stone (356).
Stogursey Brook (813 [779]) — Some seven miles northwest
Soho (941 [900]) — A Bohemian district of London. of Bridgwater.
Somerton (152 [162]) — A small town five miles south of Stoic (562 [542]) — A follower of the philosophy of Zeno,
Glastonbury. an ethical system stressing duty, control, and acceptance. The
Sorlingues (1042 [996]) — See “Surluse.” “stoical Emperor” was Marcus Aureliis, (121–180), Roman
emperor from 161 until his death, best known for his
sound of a man making water (458 [444]) — This motif is
Meditations, which profess stoicism. The “stoical slave” is
repeated in Porius (449–50).
Epicurus (q.v.).
South Moor (370 [360]) — Immediately south of
Stoke-sub-Ham (608 [585]) — One and a half miles
Glastonbury, east of Street.
northwest of Montacute, also known as Stoke-sub-Hamdon.
Southdowns (582 [560]) — A well-known traditional breed
Stone of Merlin (352 [343]) — Obscure, though one thinks
of sheep.
of Merlin (Myrddin) and the stone at the close of Porius.
spare the rod (98 [112]) — A reference to the traditional
Stone without Lichen (772 [740]) — An obscure reference,
proverb, ending “... and spoil the child.”
but possibly an allusion to one of the stones of Stonehenge
Spear of Longinus (351, 1048 [342, 1002]) — See mentioned in chapter 2.
“Longinus.”
Stonedown (115 [127]) — Immediately east of Glastonbury,
Spelicans (355 [346]) — More often “spillikins,” an ancient between Chalice Hill and Wick.
game played with splinters of wood.
Stonehenge (75, 82ff. [91, 97ff.]) — The great prehistoric
Spenser (252 [249]) — Edmund Spenser (1552–99), site on Salisbury Plain, frequently associated with the Druids.
English poet, best known for his epic-length poetic romance Although the Druidic connection is dubious, authorities as
The Faerie Queene. different in their attitudes as Lewis Spence (44–5), T. C.
Kendrick (151, 210), and Jacquetta and Christopher Hawkes
Spinoza (1051 [1005]) — Baruch or Benedict Spinoza
(62) believed that they subsequently used Stonehenge,
(1632–77), Dutch philosopher of Jewish descent, known
though they didn’t build it. The “foreign stones” (86 [101])
for his independence of thought.
are the so-called blue stones, apparently originating in the
Splott’s Moor (100 [112]) — Immediately northeast of Preseli mountains in Pembrokeshire. However, the detail of
Glastonbury. the two prostrate monoliths (815 [781]) is also doubtful.
squiffy (756 [725]) — drunk (slang). Stonehenge was visited by JCP with Littleton on 2 August
1929 (Diary 1929 [58] and Petrushka [10]), where he drank
squinnied, squinnying (467, 505 [452, 488]) — Probably water from the “stone of sacrifice” and prayed to the stones,
from Shakespeare’s King Lear (IV vi 39–40). Also used in like John Crow. See also “Altar Stone,” “Druids,” “Hêle
After My Fashion (66) and Owen Glendower (207). Stone,” and “Slaughtering Stone.”
Stalbridge (684 [657]) — A village in Dorset where JCP’s Stonehill Copse (814 [781]) — The western section of the
father was born. It is often mentioned in books by the Powys Great Ridge Wood, thirteen miles southwest of Stonehenge
brothers. See Ducdame (412), Wolf Solent (22), and Owen in Wiltshire.
Glendower (875). Llewelyn has an essay, “Stalbridge Rectory,”
in Dorset Essays. Stony Stratton (266 [262]) — Usually spelt “Stoney
Stratton,” eleven miles east of Glastonbury, near Evercreech.
A Reader’s Companion 45

“strange matters” (229 [235]) — From Shakespeare’s of the same name. In its Welsh form it takes its part in a
Macbeth (I v 64). Also quoted in Wolf Solent (243), Weymouth central scene in Porius (352–3).
Sands (523), Maiden Castle (61), and Owen Glendower (885).
Street, Street Road (143, 141 [154, 151]) — Street is
immediately southwest of Glastonbury. T
Studland (89 [104]) — In the so-called Isle of Purbeck in Tadham Moor (1125 [1073]) — Six miles northwest of
the extreme east of Dorset just southwest of Bournemouth. Glastonbury.
Theodore Powys lived there briefly before moving to East
Taking him all in all (741 [711]) — A well-known phrase,
Chaldon in 1904.
but one deriving from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (I ii 188–9).
“stuff ” (735 [705]) — From Shakespeare’s The Tempest (IV Cf. Autobiography (101, 130, 172, 182, 327) and Elusive
i 156). Also quoted in Visions and Revisions (55) and In Spite America (82).
Of (91, 94).
Taliessin (87, 203 [102, 210]) — Early Welsh poet whose
Styx (237, 240) — One of the principal rivers in the story is told in “The Tale of Gwion Bach” or the first part of
underworld in Classical mythology, across which souls were “[The Tale of ] Taliessin,” often translated with The
ferried to the land of the dead. So, “Stygian” (238, 242). Mabinogion. Extant poems, supposedly by Taliessin, are
recorded in various early manuscripts, including the Book
Suburra (394 [382]) — A populous and noisy district of
of Taliessin (q.v.). JCP introduces Taliessin into both Morwyn
Rome.
(which uses the alternative spelling “Taliesin”) and Porius.
“suffered under Pontius Pilate” (615 [591]) — From the Taliessin was also known for his prophecies; see 689 [661],
Creed in the Anglican Prayer Book. which seems to echo the Fool’s gnomic words in Shakespeare’s
King Lear (III ii 95): “This prophecy Merlin shall make, for
sui generis (112 [125]) — of its own kind (Latin).
I live before his time.”
Surluse (1042 [996]) — A name, like Sorlingues, for the
Tantalus (598 [576]) — A legendary Greek king punished
Scilly Isles (q.v.). Rhys discusses these terms in Studies (353–
by Zeus for divulging secrets; tempting fruit and drink were
4). Galahad (or Galahaut) in Arthurian legend is Lord of
always placed just outside his reach—hence “tantalize.”
Surluse, and appears briefly as a character in Porius.
Tao (198 [206]) — A Chinese word meaning “the Way,” an
Swan Vestas (242; cf. 239) — A popular brand of safety-
important concept in the religion of Taoism. JCP writes about
matches of the period.
Taoism in the opening chapter of A Philosophy of Solitude.
sweet, honeysuckle bastard (583 [561]) — In Autobiography
tapped his forehead (86 [101]) — See “pressed his forehead.”
(269) JCP refers to Llewelyn and Louis Wilkinson as “[t]hese
honeysuckle rogues.” The phrase “honeysuckle villain” occurs Tartarean (1088 [1034]) — Relating to Tartarus, a Classical
in Shakespeare’s 2 Henry IV (II i 52–3); perhaps this blended underworld.
in JCP’s mind with the passing phrase “sweet honeysuckle”
taste of spilt blood (55 [72]) — Another characteristic JCP
in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (IV i 44).
image, also used in Owen Glendower (338) and in Porius
“sweets of sin” (1006 [962]) — Almost certainly an allusion (47, 270, etc.).
to the book of that title that occurs recurrently in James
“taunted,” ... as they say in Somerset (454 [440]) —
Joyce’s Ulysses. Also used in Autobiography (581).
“haunted”? Or possibly an allusion to Taunton (see below).
“sweet usage” (72, 820, 1077 [88, 785, 1029]) — No meaning provided by the English Dialect Dictionary seems
Presumably an inaccurate version of “sweet use” from to fit.
Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well (IV iv 22). Also quoted
Taunton (215 [222]) — The county-town of Somerset.
in Autobiography (467), and in Petrushka (137) with the gloss
“as Lulu [Llewelyn] would say.” taxi (492 [476]) — The taxi here seems to correspond to
what R. S. Loomis (Grail [104]) calls “the richly equipped
Swift, Dean (845 [810]) — Jonathan Swift (1667–1745),
cart, drawn by three stags,” which accompanies the “Bald
Anglo-Irish writer and Dean of St. Patrick’s, Dublin, best
Damsel” in Perlesvaus.
known for Gulliver’s Travels.
Teiresias (16, 317 [35, 310]) — A Greek seer, now usually
Sword Bridge (754 [723]) — One of the obstacles Lancelot
spelt “Tiresias.” The story recounted here derives from Ovid’s
had to cross in his journey to Grail Castle, a bridge in the
Metamorphoses (Book 3). Elsewhere in the text (925 [885])
form of a sharp sword. Mentioned by Rhys in Studies (55)
the reference is to his appearance to Odysseus in Book 11 of
and by Loomis in Celtic Myth (211, 212).
Homer’s Odyssey.
Sword of Arthur (772 [740]) — Excalibur (or, in Welsh,
Tel-El-Kebir (276 [271]) — In Lower Egypt, where the
Caledvwlch), which is returned to the Lady of the Lake in
British defeated the Egyptians in 1882.
the Morte d’Arthur—and popularized by Tennyson’s poem
46 A Glastonbury Romance

Temple of the Druids (86 [101]) — The supposed Druidic of the Grail as manifesting in five successive ways, finally
origin of Stonehenge goes back to Geoffrey of Monmouth changing into a chalice” (Ashe, “Grail” [14]).
in the twelfth century, as does its connection with Wales.
“The Brewer, the Malster ...” (391, 1030 [380, 985]) —
Cf. Kendrick: “... one building that may very fairly be called
One expects this to be JCP’s creation. Llewelyn, however,
a temple of druidism, ... Stonehenge itself ” (151).
quotes a verse (consisting of ll.13–14 followed by ll.11–12
temple of the elements (89 [104]) — Thomas Hardy used in JCP’s version) in Rats in the Sacristy (147), for no very
the phrase “Temple of the Winds” in the last chapter of Tess clear reason, while quoting a letter to Machiavelli.
of the d’Urbervilles. Cf. In Defence of Sensuality (244–5).
“the Dragon of the great Pendragonship (589 [567]) —
Templecombe (684 [657]) — A village in the extreme Not identified as a quotation. See “Dragon Ensign.”
southeast of Somerset close to the main road between
the end is not yet (1173 [1119]) — Matthew 24:6. Also
Sherborne and Shaftesbury. Also mentioned in Wolf Solent
quoted in Letters to Llewelyn (I 106).
(566).
“The even tenor of his ways ...” (312 [305]) — Probably
tench (783–4, 983–4 [751, 939–40]) — Izaak Walton
an echo of “the noiseless tenor of their way” from Thomas
describes the tench as “the physician of fishes” in The
Gray’s “Elegy in a Country Churchyard” (l.76).
Compleat Angler (1653)—hence JCP’s remark about “that
queer fish gifted with the gift of healing” (783 [751]). See “the glorious tribes of the dead” (923 [884]) — A quotation
also “Is it a Tench?” from Homer. Cf. “the myriad tribes of the dead” (Maiden
Castle [6]).
Teniers (385 [374]) — David Teniers, either “the Elder,” a
Flemish rustic painter (1582–1649)., or his son, “the “The Head of Annwn’s Cauldron” (843 [807]) — From the
Younger” (1610–90). ancient Welsh poem “Preiddeu Annwn” (see “Harrying(s)
of Annwn”).
tenoned and mortised (190 [198]) — From Walt Whitman’s
“Song of Myself ” 20 (l.31). Also used in The Inmates (17) “the Head of Hades” (203 [210]) — See “Cauldron.”
and presented as a quotation in A Philosophy of Solitude (44) “the knight-at-arms ... alone and palely loitering” (113
and In Spite Of (56). [126]) — From the opening of John Keats’s poem “La Belle
“Terra Incognita” (201–2 [209]) — Unexplored land Dame Sans Merci.” Also quoted in Maiden Castle (44) and
(Latin). Romer Mowl (22).
Terre Gastée (326 [319]) — Waste Land (French). The “The Miller, the Maltster ...” — See “The Brewer, the
phrase, which occurs in Chrétien de Troyes, is also used in Maltster ...”
Autobiography (35, 271).
“the pleasure which there is in life itself ” (1036 [991]) —
Teutonic (837 [802]) — Northern European, especially From Wordsworth’s “Michael” (l.77). Possibly JCP’s most
German. commonly employed quotation. Also quoted in
Autobiography (29), Weymouth Sands (406), Maiden Castle
Tewkesbury (701 [673]) — A town in Gloucestershire.
(56, 117), and continually in his non-fiction writings.
Thaïses (1079 [1031]) — Thaïs was an Egyptian courtesan
“The position of the three men ...” (259 [255]) — In fact,
who accompanied Alexander the Great to Asia.
the Chalice Well is almost due west from the Tor.
Thanatos (515 [498]) — The Greek god of death.
“the powerless heads of the dead” (921, 929 [881, 889]) —
“that brings the traveller home by every road” (123 From Homer’s Odyssey (Book 10). Another of JCP’s favourite
[135]) — Unidentified. quotations, also used in Autobiography (371), Weymouth Sands
(561), Owen Glendower (580), Porius (122), and frequently
“that might not be in the world at all” (729 [700]) — Not
in his non-fiction writings. “I like the expression the powerless
a quotation but a reference back to Percy’s remark (727–8
heads of the dead!” (Diary 1931 [238]).
[690]).
“the unessential shall swallow up the essential” (352
“that wandered through eternity” (1170 [1116]) — From
[343]) — Not, perhaps, a literary quotation.
Milton’s Paradise Lost (II 148). Also quoted in Wood and Stone
(84), Weymouth Sands (380), and In Defence of Sensuality “The Unpardonable Sin” (244ff., 845, 848, 1049 [241ff.,
(26). 809, 812, 1003]) — JCP may be thinking of “the blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost” which “shall not be forgiven”
“the barrier of his teeth” (792 [760]) — A favourite JCP
(Matthew 12:31) or the passage in Galatians 5:21, where St.
quotation from Homer’s Iliad (Book 14), also occurring in
Paul, after listing various sins of the flesh, writes: “they which
Petrushka (95), Weymouth Sands (381), Maiden Castle (178,
do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Cf.
467), and Porius (378, 474), and frequently in his Diaries.
George Borrow on “the sin against the Holy Ghost” in
The books say that Arthur ... (1169 [1116]; cf. 1172 Lavengro (ch.73, etc.). JCP had lectured on Borrow (see
[1118]) — Branch 10 of Perlesvaus (The High History of the Langridge [49]) and mentions him in Rodmoor (343) and
[Holy] Grail) “hints at a mystery of transformation, speaking
A Reader’s Companion 47

The Meaning of Culture (161). The phrase is also used in version of JCP’s story in which “one John Clark caused a
Wood and Stone (433) and Porius (29). Cf. also his 1910 slab of stone to be laid down on the spot [where Joseph’s
remark to Llewelyn: “When you destroy a life-illusion you staff is supposed to have blossomed] bearing the laconic
commit the one unpardonable sin. I have done it—I cannot description ‘J.A. Anno D XXXI’” (Grail [266]). JCP seems
be forgiven—I destroyed my wife’s illusion of ‘love’” (Letters to compound the problem when he makes the ambiguous
to Llewelyn (I 86). statement that “St. Joseph of Arimathea sailed with the
sangrael [sic] before St. Paul staggered into Damascus” in
“the womb that bore her ...” (871 [834]) — Luke 11:27.
Obstinate Cymric (89).
“the young men ... her burial” (740 [710]) — Presumably
this morning (1012 [967]) — Another slip, since Sam had
a free reference to Acts 8:2.
his vision the previous day; see also “just” and “today.”
Theban prophet (316 [309]) — Teiresias (q.v.).
“This way and that dividing the swift mind” (1027
“Then Sir Launcelot ... ever made men” (828–9 [793–4]) — [982]) — Not identified. Perhaps from Homer. Also quoted
From “The Morte d’Arthur” (Book XXI) in Malory (880– in Autobiography (308).
81).
Thoreau (749 [718]) — Henry David Thoreau (1817–62),
Theodoric (879 [842]) — Leader of the Ostrogoths (c.454– US writer and naturalist, best known for Walden (1854).
526) and founder of the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy, ruling
Thorpe (34, 71 [52, 87]) — Now a suburb of Norwich (q.v.).
from 493 until his death. Mentioned frequently by JCP in
Porius (xvii, etc.). Three famous Saxon kings (106 [120]) — Edmund and
Edmund Ironside; see “Edmunds, two King” and “Edgar,
... there are people, yet living among us, whose eyes have
King” (q.v.).
seen the Grail (1173 [1119]) — In two of his letters to
Littleton (1930, 1931), JCP refers to one of Littleton’s friends three months (1119 [1068]) — In fact, two months, since
who had a vision of the Grail; see Humfrey (324, 327). the Saxon arch was opened on January 20 (see 911 [872]).
There she saw ... different way (234–5) — Omitted in the Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, and Powers (674
1955 edition. [647]) — Hierarchies of angelic beings, on the authority of
the Pseudo-Dionysius (Dionysius the Areopagite).
There was only that one entrance to Wookey Hole Caves
(235) — All the text from this sentence to the end of the Thucydidean (571 [550]) — Relating to Thucydides (471–
chapter was omitted from the 1955 edition. For the original c.401 BC), Athenian statesman and historian renowned for
(1934) legal requirements to cut this passage, see The Dorset his oratory.
Year (41).
“thunder ... they bad girt men in Bible” (346 [338]) —
Thetford (111 [125]) — A small town in Norfolk, close to Jackie is probably thinking of such passages as Exodus 9:23,
the Suffolk border. 1 Samuel 2:10 and 12:17.
They passed the Tithe Barn ... Wirral Hill (409 [397]) — Tilly (8 [28]) — Wife of Philip Crow (q.v.).
Followed on a map, the directions here are somewhat
Tiresias — See “Teiresias.”
inaccurate.
Tirry-aniseed (802 [768]) — Finn Toller’s attempt at
... they set out along Silver Street ... Chilkwell Street (745
“tyrannicide.”
[714]) — Slightly inaccurate topographically. See under
“Chilkwell Street.” Titans (209 [216]) — The older Greek gods succeeded by
the Olympians. So, “Titanic” (104, etc.).
“thick and slab” (108 [122]) — From Shakespeare’s Macbeth
(IV i 32). Used also in Autobiography (94, 259), Weymouth Tithe Barn (745 [714]) — See “Abbey Barn.”
Sands (457), Obstinate Cymric (97), Porius (114), In Spite Of to the top of his bent (341 [333]) — An echo, perhaps
(86, 283), and even Homer and the Aether (82). unintentional, of Shakespeare’s Hamlet (III ii 402). Also
thirty pieces of silver (622 [598]) — See Matthew 26:15. quoted in Rodmoor (372), Ducdame (335), “Owen Prince”
Cf. Wolf Solent (382). (81), and One Hundred Best Books (37).
thirty-one years (562 [541]) — The phrase “thirty-one years” “To this end ...” (613 [589]) — Jesus’s words in John 18:37.
occurs continually in reference to the early Christian history toadstools (571 [550]) — They were, in fact, mosses (257
of Glastonbury. Geoffrey Ashe quotes “a bronze [254]).
commemorative tablet .. fixed to a column of the great
church,” beginning: “In the year XXXI after the Lord’s today (1018 [973]) — An error, since Sam saw the Grail on
Passion,” and notes how “the meaning changes if a comma the previous day. See also similar slips listed under “Just”
is understood after XXXI” (King [301]). An early date (31 and “This morning.”
or 63) was, however, upheld for the primacy of Glastonbury Toller, Finn (794 [762) — This surname is derived from a
by the Councils that JCP lists. Loomis records an alternative number of villages northwest of Dorchester; the first name
48 A Glastonbury Romance

is, perhaps, a playful allusion to the Celtic hero, presenting troubling of the waters (952 [910]) — An image that derives
the “low deeds of Finn” rather than the “high.” ultimately from John 5:4. Cf. After My Fashion (34).
Tolstoy (749 [718]) — Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910), Russian Tu Brute (233 [238]) — “Et tu, Brute?” (“You also, Brutus?”)
novelist, short-story writer, and thinker, best known for War were the traditional last words of Julius Caesar at the time of
and Peace and Anna Karenina. his assassination. They are employed in Shakespeare’s Julius
Caesar (III i 77). JCP also quotes the phrase in Owen
Tom (11 [31]) — See “Barter, Tom.”
Glendower (165) and Two and Two (70).
Tom Tiddler’s Ground (459 [445]) — A locale in traditional
Tuberville, Fortescue (507 [490]) — See “Recorders of
children’s games, here welded on to the children’s rhyme that
Glastonbury.” Perhaps “Turberville”?
usually reads “Here we go round the mulberry bush” (cf.
415 [403]). Kate Kavanagh (private correspondence) adds Tudor Devil (837 [801]) — King Henry VIII, so named
that, in context, it serves as rhyming slang for “piddle.” for his despoiling of the monasteries and religious houses,
including Glastonbury, at the time of the Reformation.
Tonnerre de Dieu (1094 [1045]) — God’s thunder (French).
Turning Castle (251 [247]) — Alternative name for
top of his bent — See “to the top of his bent,”
Carbonek or Caer Sidi, sometimes identified with
“topless towers” (1174 [1120]) — From Christopher Glastonbury. So named in Rhys, Studies (116, 302, 325–6).
Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus (V i 99). The reference is to Troy
Turris Vitrea (620 [597]) — Tower of Glass (Latin), here
(Ilium). Also quoted in Visions and Revisions (199), Obstinate
referring to Glastonbury Tor. For the reasons, see Ashe, King
Cymric (66), and Elusive America (143).
(21ff.) and the entry on “Glastonbury” above. Cf. also “Urbs
Tor (108 [121]) — See “Glastonbury Tor.” Vitrea.”
Tor [Fair] Field (151, 161 [161, 171]) — A field near twenty-third (1032 [987]) — Subsequent references (1087,
Glastonbury Tor traditionally used for fairs and 1104, 1107 [1038, 1054, 1057]) indicate that this is an error,
entertainments. and should read “twenty-fifth.”
touch the hem ... (633 [609]) — An allusion to Mark 9:20. Two Mile Down (814 [781]) — An area almost halfway
Also referred to in Wood and Stone (166). between Glastonbury and Salisbury.
Tower Arch (106 [119]) — The dominant feature of the Two Oaks (552, 819 [532, 785]) — Two oaks on the road
Abbey Ruins, the eastern portion of the central tower of the between Glastonbury and Wick, one mile east of
Abbey church. Glastonbury; they are mentioned, though not capitalized,
elsewhere in the novel (e.g. 115, 152 [127–8, 162]).
Town’s End — See “Montacute.”
tradition declares ... (419 [406]) — I am not aware of an
authentic source for this. U
tramp (2, 4 [22, 24]) — Cf. JCP’s comment, “I have a good
Ultima Thule (619 [595]) — The edge of the world,
deal of the tramp in me,” quoted in Collins (facing1).
generally considered sometimes to be “in the north of Britain”
trance (927 [887]) — A characteristic of the JCP hero; see (Up and Out [75]), sometimes even further north, probably
“abstracted trance.” based on an awareness of Iceland. It is often seen as a world
Transubstantiation (135 [146]) — The Roman Catholic of death (cf. “King-of-Thule”). The phrase occurs famously
doctrine that, in the Eucharist, the bread and wine are in Virgil’s Georgics (I 30).
converted into the body and blood of Christ. un fou Anglais (14 [33]) — More correctly, “un fou
Tree of Life (414 [402]) — See Genesis 2:9 and 3:22. d’Anglais,” a crazy Englishman (French). (Information from
Jacqueline Peltier).
Tremendum Mysterium (594 [571]) — Overpowering
Mystery (Latin). undine (19 [38]) — An elemental water-spirit born,
according to Paracelsus, without a soul.
Trent (741 [710]) — The name may derive from the place-
name between Yeovil and Sherborne. “unpardonable sin” — See “The Unpardonable Sin.”

Triads (771 [739]) — Ancient Welsh lists of people and Upper Godney (850 [814]) — Two and a half miles north-
events, arranged in threes for mnemonic purposes. See also northeast of Glastonbury.
Obstinate Cymric (49) and “Welsh Triads” (below). So, Upper Whitbourne (91 [106]) — Not generally indicated
“triadic” (168 [178]). on Ordnance Survey maps, but clearly in the area of
Tribunal (656 [631]) — See “Abbot’s Tribunal.” Whitbourne Springs and Whitbourne Moor on the main
road between Warminster and Frome in Wiltshire.
Tristram (594, 1102 [571,1052]) — The lover of Iseult in
the traditional story included in The Works of Thomas Malory. Urbs Beata (837 [802]) — Blessed town (Latin). A common
phrase but borrowed, perhaps, from Walter Pater’s Marius
A Reader’s Companion 49

the Epicurean (ch.17). Also cited in Maiden Castle (7) and Victoria, Queen (508 [491]) — Queen of England, 1837–
Porius (691). 1901.
Urbs Vitrea (606 [583]) — Town of Glass (Latin), another Vikings (208 [215]) — I do not know of any story about
name for Glastonbury (q.v.). oaks and Vikings at Glastonbury.
Urien (771, 788 [739, 755]) — Part historical (Urien of viola cornutus (1005 [961]) — The scientific name for a
Rheged), part legendary figure, known as the Lord of species of violet (Latin).
Echwydd or Lord of the Underworld. Rhys devotes a whole
Virgil (376 [366]) — The reference is not directly to the
chapter to “Urien and his Congeners” in Studies (238–72).
Roman poet, but to his role as guide to Dante through the
In Maiden Castle, Enoch Quirm takes the name of Urien,
first two parts of The Divine Comedy.
who is seen as closely connected with the figures of Bran
and Myrddin. He appears as a marginal historical figure in Virgilian (66 [82]) — Relating to Publius Vergilius Maro
Porius, where the alternative spelling “Uryen” is used. (70–19 BC), the Roman poet best known for his epic poem
Aeneid. This reference, however, is to the rural and idyllic
Uther Pendragon (788 [755]) — The father of Arthur in
meals described in his Pastorals and Georgics.
Arthurian romance. In Porius the name is spelt “Uthyr.” Some
historians suggest that “Utherpendragon” may in fact be a Virgin’s Chapel (328 [320]) — St. Mary’s Church or Chapel
title, like “commander-in-chief.” The “Living Corpse” alludes (q.v.).
to a phrase used of Uther by Geoffrey of Monmouth (VIII Vita Gildae (771 [739]) — The Life of Gildas (Latin), a
23). biography of St. Gildas (q.v.) by Caradog of Llancarfan
(c.1140).

V Vita Merlini (250 [247]) — The Life of Merlin (Latin). NB:

At 1105 [1055] the title should read “Vita Merlini Ambrosii.”
Valkyrie (375 [365]) — Female attendant on Woden who
Vita Nuova (762 [731]; cf. 1085 [1036]) — The title of an
brings the souls of the dead to Valhalla, the Norse
early poem by Dante (q.v.) about his first meeting with
underworld. The word is used more geneally to indicate a
Beatrice. Here the emphasis is also on its meaning: “New
strong and determined woman.
Life” (Latin).
vandyke beard (872 [835]) — A short, pointed beard as
viva (928 [888]) — “Long live...” (Italian).
painted by Sir Anthony Vandyke or Van Dyck (1599–1641),
Flemish painter. Vivian — See “Nimeue, Nineue.”
Varangian (432, 450, 466 [419, 436, 451]) — Relating to Voltaire (121 [133]) — French philosopher, writer, and
the Vikings who invaded Russia in the ninth century, founded thinker (1694–1778). I have not traced the reference to “à
the Russian nation, and later served as mercenaries and trois” (q.v.).
bodyguards for the Byzantine emperors. It seems that JCP voyaging over strange seas (417 [405]) — A quotation,
derived the background from Friedrich La Motte-Foucqué’s originally applied to Sir Isaac Newton, from Wordsworth’s
Thiodolf the Icelander (see Autobiography [125]), where JCP Prelude (1850 text, III 63). The full line reads: “Voyaging
incorrectly calls the central figure “Theodoric” (information through strange seas of Thought, alone.”
from Jacqueline Peltier).
Venetians (194 [202]) — The group of painters in Venice
in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, including W
Bellini, Giorgione, and Titian.
wambly (492, 992 [476, 948]) — wandering, staggering
Verbum caro factum est!” (265, 481, 857 [260, 465, 820]) — (West-country dialect). Used also, by Tom Hardy, in Owen
“The Word was made flesh!” (Latin), from John 1:14. Glendower (376).
Quoted in translation in Autobiography (35).
Wanstrow (225 [231]) — South of the main road halfway
Vicarage (99 [113]) — On Lambrook Street, close to (but between Shepton Mallet and Frome, Wiltshire.
on the opposite side of the road from) Abbey House. There
is a photograph of St. John’s vicarage in Powys Review 20 Wareham (684 [657]) — Eight or nine miles east of
(1987), 34. At 137 [148] the reference to the vicarage and Bournemouth, in the extreme east of Dorset.
the Pilgrims’ Inn seems to imply some topographical Warlock’s Sabbath (780 [748]) — A warlock is a male witch.
confusion, since the men would be walking in the opposite NB: It is just possible that this is a misreading of “Wizard’s”;
direction from the Inn. According to L. S. Lewis (Glastonbury cf. the phrase “a sort of Wizard’s Sabbath” (783 [751]).
[5]), “the site of the present vicarage was chosen because the
oldest and first existing specimen of the Holy Thorn of Warminster (891 [104]) — A town in Wiltshire between
Glaston stood in what was enclosed as its garden.” Salisbury and Frome.
50 A Glastonbury Romance

Wars of the Roses (271 [266]) — The power-struggle, 1455– Glastonbury and Wells. The Wells Road Cemetery (976
85, between the houses of York (the white rose) and Lancaster [934]; cf. 827 [792] and especially 1172 [1118]) is factual.
(the red rose) for control of the English throne. The conflict
Welsh Triad (105 [119]) — The triad in question is that
ended with the death of Richard III at Bosworth Field, and
used as the epigraph for the novel. See also “Triads.”
the succession of the Lancastrian Henry VII.
Welshman of ancient days (689 [661]) — Taliessin (q.v.).
Waste Land (326 [318]) — The desert condition of the land
NB: “Welshmen” is, of course, a misprint.
in the Grail romances connected with the wounding of the
Fisher King (q.v.). JCP’s capitalization points up the allusion. Welshmen ... Tudors (837 [801]) — The Act of Union
He also, of course, has T. S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land in (1536) under Henry VIII brought English law and language
mind. to Wales.
Watchers (578 [556]) — Compare, as early as Wood and Wesley, John (584, 626 [562, 602]) — One of the founders
Stone, a reference to “invisible watchers from some more of Methodism (1703–91), an evangelical movement that
clairvoyant planet than ours” (301), and the cosmic broke away from the Anglican Church during the lifetime
“watchers” discussed at length in The Complex Vision (6, 134– of the Wesley brothers in the United States, but only after
5, etc.). their deaths in Britain.
Water Bridge (1050 [1003–4]) — One of the bridges over Wessex (207 [214]) — In pre-Norman times the kingdom
which the heroes must endeavour to pass in the Grail of the West Saxons. The term was revived for a West-country
romances. region briefly though ineffectively by the dialect poet William
Barnes, and later by Thomas Hardy, the “Wessex poet” (813
Water-ditch Field (73 [89]) — A field in the area of the
[779]), his usage first appearing in Far from the Madding
River Wissey, Norfolk.
Crowd (1874) but later extended back as well as forward to
Waterloo (1129 [1078]) — Because of Napoleon’s final include all his “Wessex” novels.
defeat in the battle of 1815, “Waterloo” has come to mean
West Cranmore (93 [108]) — About four miles east of
“final defeat.”
Shepton Mallet.
Wattle Church (165 [175]) — The church built by Joseph
West Drive (1168 [1114]) — A road in Montacute, also
of Arimathea in Glastonbury, dedicated to the Virgin Mary,
mentioned in Wood and Stone (14).
and claimed to be the first Christian church in Britain. See
also “thirty-one years.” “Archaeology has revealed within the West Lydford (370 [360]) — Six miles southeast of
precincts a chapel of wattle, a type of construction favoured Glastonbury, close to the Foss Way.
by the Celts in Britain” (Gransden [36]). This church is first West Pennard (225, 671 [231, 643]) — Some three miles
described by the author of an early Life of St. Dunstan (c. east of Glastonbury.
eleventh century). “It is possible, though not probable, that
the old church of wattle was one of the earliest Christian Westbury Beacon (863 [827]) — Seven miles north of
shrines in Britain” (Loomis, Grail [269]). Glastonbury, just to the north of the village of Westbury-
sub-Mendip.
Wayfarer, The (762 [731]) — Possibly an oblique tribute
by JCP to Thomas Hardy, who wrote “Thomas Hardy, a Western Channel (342, 1116 [334, 1065]) — Not usually
Wayfarer” in the children’s visitors’ book at Montacute; see named on modern maps, but clearly a section of what is,
Autobiography (230). overall, the Bristol Channel.
“We too have autumns ... reaped and bare” (145 [155]) — Western Gazette (211 [217]) — A newspaper published in
Though printed as prose, a regular quatrain. Yeovil.
Wearyall Hill — See “Wirral Hill.” Western Level (418 [406]) — Five miles northwest of
Glastonbury.
wedgewood (29 [47]) — More correctly, “wedgwood,”
referring to the famous pottery and ornaments pioneered by Westhay Level (763 [732]) — An open area between Catcott
Josiah Wedgwood (1730–95). Burtle and Meare.
Weimar (590 [567]) — A city in eastern Germany, where Westholme (159 [169]) — Five miles northeasteast of
Goethe lived much of his life. He died there (see 820 [786]). Glastonbury, near North Wotton.
Also the place where JCP visited Nietzsche’s sister; see Weston-super-Mare (495 [478]) — A popular holiday-resort
Autobiography (398–9). on the Somerset coast.
Wells (132, 162 [143, 171]) — A cathedral town five miles Weymouth (495 [478]) — A holiday-resort on the Dorset
northeast of Glastonbury. coast south of Dorchester. JCP often paid visits there during
Wells [New] Road or Street (152, 827 [162, 792]) — The his childhood to stay with his paternal grandmother. The
main modern road, replacing the Old Wells Road, between town occurs frequently in his fiction, especially in Wood and
Stone and, of course, in Weymouth Sands. Llewelyn also wrote
A Reader’s Companion 51

about Weymouth in several of his essays including Whitman, Walt (749 [718]) — American poet (1819–92),
“Weymouth Bay and the Sea of Galilee” and “Weymouth in best known for his Leaves of Grass.
the Three Eights” (Dorset Essays).
whöam (718; “whoam” in 1955 edition [689]) — home
“What a sigh was [is] there! ... The heart is sorely charged” (Dorset dialect). See “plëace.”
(261 [257]) — John is quoting here from Shakespeare’s
“Who[so]ever looketh ... in his heart” (327 [319]) —
Macbeth (V i 61).
Quoted somewhat inaccurately from Matthew 5:28. Also
“What is that to us? See thou to that!” (623 [598]) — quoted in The Pleasures of Literature (61).
Matthew 27:4. Also quoted in Wolf Solent (282) and
“whoreson lethargy” (1135 [1084]) — Not apparently
Weymouth Sands (195).
Shakespearean. Also used in Autobiography (48), Maiden
“What is Truth?” (613 [589]) — The words attributed to Castle (474), The Meaning of Culture (127), Rabelais (125),
Pontius Pilate in John 18:38. Cf. the opening of Francis The Dorset Year (214, 232, 235), and Jack and Frances (II
Bacon’s essay “On Truth.” 28).
“What is your name? ...” (880 [843]) — From the Anglican Wick, Wick Hollow (115, 116, 190 [127, 128, 198]) —
Catechism. Immediately to the east of Glastonbury, where, when much
of the lowland was under water, the Vikings are said to have
“When Chub of Lydford ...” (768 [736]) — Most probably
landed.
a pastiche by JCP.
Wick Moor (1117 [1066]) — An area to the west of Stert
“While greasy Joan doth keel the pot” (276 [271]) — From
Flats and the mouth of the River Parrett.
Shakespeare’s Love’s Labours Lost (V ii 930 and 939).
Wick Wood[s] (526, 911 [507, 871]) — Woods near Wick
whiskey (66 [82]) — An example of JCP’s carelessness. It
east of Glastonbury.
was brandy or port earlier (51 [68])!
William of Orange (120, 394 [132, 383]), William the
white feather (163 [173]) — “... that very symbol of
Third (395 [384]) — William of Orange (1650–1702),
shrinking from violence, which all lusty rogues combine to
grandson of Charles I, became King of England, reigning
call contemptible cowardice” (“The Mountains of the Moon”
jointly with his wife Mary, daughter of James II, after the
in Up and Out [166]). Cf. also Autobiography (585–6).
“Glorious Revolution” of 1688, in place of James II.
White Nose (488 [471]) — A white cliff on the Dorset coast
William the Fourth (782 [750) — King of England, 1830–
east of Weymouth. Llewelyn, who lived there at one time,
37.
has an essay on it in Dorset Essays.
Wirral Hill (108 [121]) — Also known as Wearyall Hill,
white seaweed (1159 [1106]) — Apparently a powerful
immediately to the southwest of Glastonbury. Its traditional
personal symbol for JCP. It occurs as a subject of one of
name derives from the story of Joseph of Arimathea’s first
Jason Otter’s poems in Wolf Solent (129), and in Weymouth
coming to Glastonbury. When he and his companions arrived
Sands (129), where it appears as a feature of Weymouth rock-
at the hill, they were weary, and Joseph planted his staff in
pools.
the earth. It promptly took root, becoming the Holy Thorn
White’s Selborne (299 [293]) — Gilbert White’s The Natural (q.v.), and so cheered his party. There is an excellent
History and Antiquities of Selborne (1789), a classic account photograph of the hill and a descendant of the Thorn in
of the village of Selborne in Hampshire. Powys Review 20 (1987), 31.
Whitechapel (1012 [968]) — A poor district in south Wirral Park (997 [954]) — An area for sport and recreation
London. to the north and west of Wirral Hill.
Whitelake Bridge (267 [262]) — A bridge over the Wissey River (13 [33]) — A river close to Northwold,
Whitelake River (q.v.). For a photograph taken from the Norfolk, mentioned also in Autobiography (135) and
bridge, see Rands, “Aspects” (39). Littleton’s The Joy of It (83, 84, 85, 89).
Whitelake Cottage (99 [112]) — No longer surviving, if it Witch of Endor (828 [793]) — The prophetess who
ever existed. See Rands, “Aspects” (40). summoned up the ghost of Samuel for Saul. See 1 Samuel
Whitelake River (94 [108]) — A small river east of 28:7–20.
Glastonbury in the direction of Pilton. Witch of Wookey Hole (238, 239,: cf.185 [193]) — A
Whiting, Abbot (161 [171]) — The last Abbot of stalactite mass in Wookey Hole (q.v.), which resembles a
Glastonbury from 1525 until 1539, first tortured, then female figure. Also known as “the Witches’ Rock” (32 [50]).
hanged on Glastonbury Tor at the time of the Dissolution I know of no story involving a “monk from Glastonbury”
of Catholic religious institutions. He was then beheaded and (239).
his body quartered. Note that Tom Barter’s death on the Tor Witcombe, Josh (607 [584]) — The surname is borrowed
to some extent recalls that of Whiting. from a village some five miles south of Somerton. Will and
52 A Glastonbury Romance

A. R. Powys once farmed there. See also Llewelyn’s essay in Autobiography (20). JCP’s parents were married there in
“Witcombe Bottoms” in Somerset Essays. NB: “Whitcombe” 1871. There is a photograph of the graveyard, where the
(611 [588]) is an error. grandfather is buried, in Powys Society Newsletter 37 (July
1999), 2, and of the rectory in Powys Journal 13 (2003), 16.
“With backside and so ...” (393, 394 [381, 382]) —
Presumably JCP’s invention. Yeo [River] (787 [755]) — A tributary of the River Parrett,
which it joins near Langport, eight miles northwest of
Witham Friary (814 [780]) — Just over four miles southwest
Glastonbury.
of Frome, Wiltshire, east of Wanstrow.
Yeovil (325 [318]) — A Somerset town three and a half miles
wittol (324, 889 [321, 850]) — Someone who accepts his
east of Montacute. It is the Blacksod of Wolf Solent. The
wife’s adultery.
Yeovil Road (1168 [1114]) is the road from Montacute to
Women’s Almshouse (571 [551]) — As the text explains, Yeovil.
close to the Abbey Ruins. For consistency, this should read
Ynys Avallach (596 [573]) — The realm (or island) of
“women’s almshouses”; cf. “men’s almshouses” (331 [323]).
Avallach (q.v.). Avallach may have given his name to Avalon,
Woodhouse Lane (1168 [1114]) — In the area of often interpreted as Annwn, the Celtic underworld. See also
Montacute. Carley 1988 (162).
Wookey Hole (32 [50]) — A famous series of caves in the Ynys Witrin (596 [573]) — Glass island (Welsh).
Mendips, five and a half miles northeast of Glastonbury. It Traditionally, an early name for Glastonbury For the
is filled with stalactites and stalagmites and other unusual associations with glass, see Ashe, King (21ff.) and Treharne
rock-formations, including the shape known as the Witch (121–2). The spelling Ynis at 771 [740] is inconsistent, but
of Wookey (q.v.) and the Witch’s Rock. An account of such is used in a quotation from William of Malmesbury in
a cave, probably Wookey, has been preserved by Clement of Michell (91). The false belief that the “glas” syllable of
Alexandria (q.v.). The cave was first opened officially to the Glastonbury meant literally “glass” when it actually meant
public in 1928 by the owner G. W. Hodgkinson (d.1960), “blue” or “woad” led to the assumption that “witrin” (which
who later sued JCP for libel, considering himself presented could be derived from the Latin vitrum, woad) also meant
in the novel as Philip Crow. He electrified the cave (185 “glass” (see Ashe, Avalonian [137] and Treharne [151–2]).
[193]) and placed a boat (237) in a pool near the Witch’s
“You’re confusing your data” (748 [718]) — Robinson is
Kitchen. Llewelyn has an essay on Wookey Hole in Somerset
confusing the French Revolution, beginning in 1789, with
Essays. Wookey Hole was visited by JCP, Llewelyn, and Alyse
the Paris Commune of 1871.
Gregory on 27 July 1929, when JCP reports seeing the
“stalactites—the boat of Charon ... The undergound river—
The Witch—turned into stone” (Diary 1929 [54] and
Petrushka [8]). Z
workshops [at Wookey] (226 [232]) — This sounds like the Zeus and Prometheus and the vulture (639 [615]) — See
Hodgkinson paper mill. “Prometheus.”
wukkus (976 [933]) — workhouse (dialect). Zoomerset (1062 [1014]) — Somerset, in supposed
Somerset dialect.
Wycliffe, John (584 [562]) — English theologian (c.1320–
84), who began the first translation of the Bible into English, Zoylands (99 [112]) — The name Zoyland is derived from
published in 1388. a local place-name, Westonzoyland, nine miles southwest of
Glastonbury. The Zoyland Arms (226 [232]) “must be the
present day Wookey Hole Inn” (Townsend [26])
Y
Yaxham (80 [95]) — A village in Norfolk near East
Dereham, some thirteen miles east of Norwich, where JCP’s
maternal grandfather was rector in the 1870s. Also mentioned
A Reader’s Companion 53

Works Cited
NB: For JCP’s full-length writings published during his lifetime, see “Preface.”

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Baker, Katherine. Sherborne Camera. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press, 1990.
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Bond, Frederick Bligh. The Gate of Remembrance. Fourth (enlarged) edition. Oxford: Blackwell, 1921.
Boyd, Malin, revised by Neil Bonham. A History & Description of the Parish Church of St. John’s, Glastonbury and Its Contents.
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Bromwich, Rachel, ed. Trioedd Ynys Prydein, The Welsh Triads. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1961.
Carley, James P. Glastonbury Abbey: The Holy House at the head of the Moors Adventurous. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell
Press, 1988.
—. ed. Glastonbury Abbey and the Arthurian Tradition. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 2001.
—. and Julia Crick. “Constructing Albion’s Past: An Annotated Edition of De Origine Gigantum.” In Carley 2001, 347–
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Cavaliero, Glen. John Cowper Powys, Novelist. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1973.
Chalice Well, Glastonbury: A Short History. 4th ed. Glastonbury: Chalice Well Trust, 1972.
Chambers, E. K. Arthur of Britain. 1927. Cambridge: Speculum Historicale, 1964.
Coates, C. A. John Cowper Powys in Search of a Landscape. London: Macmillan, 1982.
Collins, H. P. John Cowper Powys: Old Earth Man. London: Barrie & Rockliff, 1966.
Culpeper, Nicholas. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal. London: W. Foulsham, n.d.
Elwin, Malcolm. The Life of Llewelyn Powys. London: John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1946.
Geard, Gordon. “Montacute Memories.” Powys Society Newsletter [13] (July 1991), 10–11.
Goetinck, Gladys Witchard. “The Quest for Origins.” In Mahoney, 117–47.
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Hodgkinson, Olive. Wookey Hole Caves (“The Story of Wookey Hole”). Official Guide, c.1970.
Humfrey, Belinda, ed. Essays on John Cowper Powys. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1972.
Jones, Ben. “The ‘mysterious word Esplumeoir’ and the Polyphonic Structure of A Glastonbury Romance.” In Denis Lane,
ed., In the Spirit of Powys: New Essays. Lewisburg, Pa: Bucknell University Press; London and Toronto: Associated
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Jones, David. “The Myth of Arthur.” In his Epoch and Artist. London: Faber, 1959. 213–59.
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Jung, Emma, and Marie Louise von Franz. The Grail Legend. Trans. Andrea Dykes. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1971.
Kenawell, William W. The Quest at Glastonbury: A Biographical Study of Frederick Bligh Bond. New York: Garrett Publications,
Helix Press, 1965.
Kendrick, T. C. The Druids: A Study in Keltic Prehistory. New York: Coleman, 1927.
Knight, G. Wilson. Saturnian Quest: A Study of the Prose Works of John Cowper Powys. London: Methuen, 1964.
Krissdóttir, Morine. John Cowper Powys and the Magical Quest. London: Macdonald General Books, 1980.
Lagorio, Valerie M. “The Evolving Legend of St. Joseph of Glastonbury.” In Carley 2002, 55–81.
Langridge, Derek. John Cowper Powys: A Record of Achievement. London: Library Association, 1966.
Lapidge, Michael. “The Vera Historia de Morte Arthuri: a New Edition.” In Carley 2001, 115–41.
Lewis, Lionel Smithett. St. Joseph of Arimathea and Glastonbury. 1922. Enlarged ed. Cambridge: James Clark, 1988.
—. Glastonbury, “The Mother of Saints”—Her Saints AD 37–1539. Bristol: St. Stephen’s Press, 1925.
Loomis, R. S. Celtic Myth and Arthurian Romance. New York: Columbia University Press, 1927.
—. The Grail: From Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1963.
Lukacher, Ned. “‘Between Philology and Psychology’: Cronos, Dostoievsky and the Language of Myth in John Cowper
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Matthews, Caitlin. Mabon and the Mysteries of Britain. London: Arkana, 1987.
Meddle, Jeff. ”Lily Brooks: A Recollection of John Cowper Powys at Burpham.” Powys Society Newsletter 23 (November
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Michell, John. New Light on the Ancient Mystery of Glastonbury. Glastonbury: Celtic Image Publications, 1990.
Padel, O. J. Arthur in Medieval Welsh Literature. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2000.
Parker, Louis N. Several of My Lives. London: Chapman and Hall, 1928.
Powys, John Cowper. After My Fashion. London: Picador, 1980.
—. The Diary of John Cowper Powys for 1929. Ed. Anthony Head. London: Cecil Woolf, 1998.
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—. Elusive America: The Uncollected Essays of John Cowper Powys. Ed. Paul Roberts. London: Cecil Woolf, 1994.
—. “Edeyrnion [2].” Powys Journal 2 (1992), 91–117.
—. “G. K. Chesterton.” Powys Journal 3 (1993), 89–101.
—. Letters to His Brother Llewelyn. Ed. Malcolm Elwin. 2 vols. London: Village Press, 1975.
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—. Letters to Nicholas Ross. Selected by Nicholas and Adelaide Ross, ed. Arthur Uphill. London: Bertram Rota, 1971.
—. “Owen Prince.” Powys Journal 4 (1994), 51–92.
—. Petrushka and the Dancer: The Diaries of John Cowper Powys, 1929–1939. Ed. Morine Krissdóttir. London: Carcanet
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—. Powys to Frank Warren. Ed. Anthony Head. London: Cecil Woolf, 1998.
—. Powys to Sea-Eagle: The Letters of John Cowper Powys to Philippa Powys. Ed. Anthony Head. London: Cecil Woolf, 1996.
—. “‘Preface’ or anything you like to Porius.” Powys Newsletter (Colgate University) 4 (1974–5), 7–13.
—. Romer Mowl and Other Stories. Ed. Bernard Jones. Guernsey: Toucan Press, 1974.
—. “Thomas Hardy and His Times.” Current History 27.6 (March 1928), 829–31.
—. Three Fantasies. Afterword by Glen Cavaliero. Manchester: Carcanet Press, 1985.
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—. The Powys Family. Privately printed, 1953.
A Reader’s Companion 55

Powys, Llewelyn. A Baker’s Dozen. London: John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1941.
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Rabelais, François. Gargantua and Pantagruel. Trans. J. M. Cohen. Harmondsworth: Penguin Classics, 1955.
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Thomas, Dante. A Bibliography of the Writings of John Cowper Powys, 1872–1963. Mamoreck, NY: Paul P. Appel, 1975.
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