Celtic Fringe Research Articles

Scottish Gaelic Movement and Celtic Identity: An Comunn Gaidhealach at the Turn of the Twentieth Century

An Comunn Gaidhealach, as the main representative of the Scottish Gaelic Movement in the late nineteenth century, pursued the essential objectives of cultivating, teaching, and promoting Gaelic language, literature, music, and culture. Its members closely collaborated with their counterparts from other so-called Celtic countries, which subsequently resulted in the formation of other pan-Celtic institutions around 1900. The countries involved supported each other in achieving similar goals through common initiatives. This article explores the nature of Celtic connections through the study of the self-representation of the Gaelic language movement. It defines the most articulated topics for An Comunn Gaidhealach and identifies to what extent Celticism was part of the society’s self-representation. An Comunn Gaidhealach looked at the experience of other Celtic countries as a source of inspiration. While Celtic identity formed a negligible part of An Comunn Gaidhealach’s self-representation, a strong Celtic element was present in its discursive strategies and in the argumentation processes, both inspired by Welsh and Irish revivalist movements. The society defended Gaelic language rights, presented itself as a patron to Gaelic education, and organised the Mòd festival, all the while embracing all political and religious beliefs. The methodology of the research, inspired by Israeli sociologist Ruth Amossy, analyzes the discourse of An Deo-Gréine, the official magazine of An Comunn Gaidhealach. This perspective highlights how An Comunn Gaidhealach intended to be perceived, what discursive strategies it employed, and subsequently, how and to what extent there was a pan-Celtic aspect to its work. The results of the analysis are complemented by archival research. The conceptual framework of the study is embedded in comparative and transnational approaches to historical research. This approach is reflected in understanding the formation of collective identities from a perspective that transcends nation-states rather than focusing solely on a national context.

“Telemachising” the Poor Old Woman: Cathleen ni Houlihan “Restaged” at the Martello Tower

In 1904, Joyce launched his satirical broadside, “The Holy Office”, attacking the members of the Abbey Theatre. For the young Joyce, it appeared “that mumming company”, run by Yeats and Lady Gregory, had “surrendered to the popular will”. He craved to show how he had broken away from what he considered the folksy, pseudo Irishness of “gold-embroidered Celtic fringes” and those who in their “foolishness . . . sigh back for the good old times” (Occasional, Critical, and Political Writings 28) – times encapsulated, for him, in Cathleen ni Houlihan. Despite telling us that “Cathleen was received with rapturous applause”, Stanislaus Joyce stresses the fact that his brother “was scornful and indignant that Yeats should write such political and dramatic claptrap” (My Brother’s Keeper 187). In “Telemachus”, the more mature Joyce took the opportunity to put his art at the service of his taste for personal and literary revenge through incorporating a brief, parodic take on Yeats and Gregory’ play through the scene with the milk woman. By setting “Cathleen” before his “cracked lookingglass” (Ulysses 6), he was able not only to explore an ironic echo of various tensions between the colonised Irish and the colonising Englishman, but also to ridicule the romanticised view of Ireland presented by much Celtic Revival writing – including drama – at the time Ulysses was set, and that would extend well beyond the time in which it was written and published.

Hepatitis C testing among three distinct groups of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study in the Celtic nations

ObjectiveThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) is associated with sexual and drug-related behaviours. To stem the tide of...

Ian Gilmour and One Nation Conservatism

This article examines the place of Ian Gilmour (1926-2007) within the “One Nation” conservative tradition. First, it examines possible definitions of “One Nation” conservatism, rejecting claims that one can fully find its origins in the writings of career of Benjamin Disraeli, or that the ideology is so wide and amorphous that it can encompass Thatcherism as well as those more sympathetic to state aid for the poor. Rather it suggests that to capture the essence of “One Nation”, one should examine the original pamphlets of the group, “One Nation” (1950) and “Change is Our Ally” (1954). This reveals that “One Nation” conservatism has four aspects: a desire to accept the welfare state (albeit with more targeting and less universality), a suspicion of central planning (albeit with tolerance of Keynesianism), an emphasis on a distinctive conservative tradition to developing the welfare state, and a set of concerns that are particular to the mid-twentieth century – including underpopulation, a need for migration to the Commonwealth, and worries about lack of resources for the welfare state at a time of austerity. Second, the article stresses that by the 1970s and 1980s, five factors concerning the economy and the welfare state had significantly changed conservative thinkers’ calculations, including the advent of affluence in the 1950s and 1960s, the increasing life expectancy of the population, the end of the economic “golden age” and the undermining of Keynesianism in the 1970s, the rise of “New Right” conservatism, and new constitutional challenges associated with the EEC, Celtic nationalism, and class dealignment. Third, the article argues that one can, nevertheless, make a judgment about how closely Ian Gilmour’s work fits into the “One Nation” conservative tradition, and examines three areas of his work. Firstly, looking at his views on history and the constitution, the article contends he respects the original account of historical development given in “One Nation”, but develops it, providing a more detailed account of Conservative Party history to try and prove that the party has been most successful when least “ideological”. This is coupled with advocacy of constitutional changes to reduce centralized power – including increased use of referendums and reform of the House of Lords. Secondly, considering economics, Gilmour’s rejection of Thatcherite monetarism and advocacy of Keynesianism arguably remained true to the “One Nation” tradition, but his increasing tendency to uphold all of what he saw as a post-war “consensus” and claim that Thatcherism was entirely unconservative departed from it. Finally, considering social policy, again some of Gilmour’s arguments remained firmly within the “One Nation” tradition – including those lamenting unemployment, criticizing the Thatcherite distinction between “deserving” and “undeserving” poor. But others – such as his strong support for a centralized NHS, advocacy of universal benefits, and support for a universal basic income – departed from it. Overall, the article contends Gilmour was a powerful re-interpreter of the “One Nation” tradition, even if he did not always remain true to its original tenets.

The History of Brittany from the 13th to the 21st Century

Attempting to present eight centuries of Breton history in one article is of course a daunting task and my aim here is simply to provide an outline highlighting the major trends and events that will enable the reader seeking a historical introduction to better understand Breton history and culture. Covering such a long span of time necessarily implies selecting only the most salient historical events and aspects of Brittany’s cultural development. Until the Revolution of 1789, there were nine Catholic dioceses in Brittany and Breton history inscribed itself within the administrative framework of the Church. In three of these Breton dioceses (Léon, Trégor, Cornouaille) Breton was by far the dominant language; in the dioceses of Saint-Brieuc and Vannes people spoke Breton and French or Gallo (a romance language with Latin roots), while in those of Nantes and Dol, Gallo or French were spoken, with Breton used in an enclave situated in the area around Guérande. The diocese of Dol was particular in that its possessions were disseminated throughout Brittany and as far as the Norman border. This reflects the donations it had received from the Breton aristocracy. The use of the Breton language varied through the centuries, with the Breton-speaking areas receding westwards as time went by. The impact that this had on Breton history should not be underestimated: Brittany shares this linguistic plurality with other regions or states like Belgium, Switzerland or Canada and the Celtic countries. The linguistic status of Breton is considerably different though since it is not officially recognised by the French government. This should be kept in mind when considering the nature of Breton cultural and political identities until the present day.

The Role of Divine Retribution in the Twelfth-Century Lives of Saint Winefride

We tend to think of the saints as miracle workers and credit them with offering useful services and assistance to the faithful - in particular, healing the sick and even raising the dead (often associated with pilgrimage sites - churches, relics/reliquaries, and holy wells), but many miracles involve punishments (often associated with disrespecting the saint, stealing church property or trespassing on the saint's burial ground or sanctuary). To a modern audience, some of these miracles might appear harsh, but from the point of view of the hagiographer these punishments were fully justified and, of course, there were many biblical precedents. The following lines will try to elucidate the role that was given to Saint Winefride as a vessel for divine justice. For this purpose, the two twelfth-century Vitae dedicated to this Welsh saint will be analysed for parallels with the Sacred Scriptures and other hagiographical motifs. This information will be put into the historical context of this period without forgetting to highlight the deep-rooted tradition of the Celtic countries. It will also be determined to what extent the role and function of miracles illustrating divine retribution may be linked with the ecclesiastical interests of the time

Northern Memories and the English Middle Ages

Northern Memories and the English Middle Ages

Rugby's Celtic fringe goes global – an economic analysis of the Pro14

PurposeThe introduction of professionalism in 1995 posed serious challenges for Rugby Union in Ireland, Scotland and Wales given their limited fan bases and broadcast markets. It led to the creation of a new league, the Pro14, with teams from all three countries. The paper asks whether the Pro14 has been a success and whether it might offer lessons for other sports. It thus seeks to extend the knowledge base on professional team sports and derive lessons for management of professional sports leagues in small countries.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyse Pro14 performance using a range of metrics, including attendances, competitive balance and team performances, in European competitions. The authors also analyse the limited financial data available for Pro14 teams.FindingsPro14 teams have competed successfully in European competition, offering support for claims that mergers of smaller country leagues could improve competitive balance in European soccer. The Pro14 has increased attendances through specific measures and increased broadcast income through geographic expansion. Many Pro14 teams have struggled financially. Several English and French rugby clubs have also experienced financial problems, suggesting that European rugby may need to introduce financial fair play rules (FFPs) similar to soccer.Practical implicationsThe paper has implications for the Pro14 and its member clubs, particularly with reference to competition design. It may also have lessons for European football where some have suggested that mergers of smaller country leagues could improve competitive balance in European competitions.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the academic discussion on professional team sports, particularly Rugby Union. The paper has implications for Pro14 clubs and league organisers, particularly with reference to competition design. It may also have lessons for European soccer where some have suggested that mergers of smaller country leagues could reduce the dominance of larger country leagues.

Stereotypical images about Celtic nations in the British visual culture of the middle 18th — early 19th centuries

Stereotypical images about Celtic nations in the British visual culture of the middle 18th — early 19th centuries

The great moving Boris show: Brexit and the mainstreaming of the far right in Britain

ABSTRACT This article argues that the Brexit campaign and subsequent rise of Boris Johnson to Prime Minister has seen campaigns and assumptions (such as anti-immigration and anti-multiculturalism) that were previously associated with far-right groups and parties enter the mainstream political discourse. It suggests that this has been due to an organic crisis that has been prevalent within British political civil society since the Brexit vote. A crisis that has seen socialist, free market and popular nationalist projects all stake claims to develop competing visions of post-Brexit Britain and which has been intensified by the success of Celtic nationalism. This article will suggest that Boris Johnson’s government is attempting to co-opt such right-wing forces by engaging with much of its rhetoric as he attempts to construct his own post-Brexit reality – a reality that is fraught with inconsistencies and contradictions.

Образ шотландского горца в творчестве Вальтера Скотта

The period of the middle of the 18th century and the early 19th century was notable for the extraordinary development of archaeology, antiquarianism explosion and primitivism domination, which contributed significantly to raising the interest in history and culture of Celtic nations; those were seen as indigenous people of the British Isles and were highly idealized. However, within official colonial discourse of the Crown of England the other side of primitivism was inculcated. Namely, they were stereotypically considered as ‘noble savages', who forewent any opportunity for growth. During this time, The Highlands of Scotland still remained a stronghold of wildness and barbarity. In this study the author made an afford, from one hand, to identify and trace how extrinsic ethos of Highlanders has transformed in the estimation of the public on the basis of visual sources of information. On the other hand, comparison of this notion with Walter Scott's Highlanders characters forms a significant part of the research. In the course of thy study the following conclusions were reached: despite the fact that the writer endorsed some of the stereotypes, that were common among Englishmen, he established a romantic and heroic image of a native of the Highlands of Scotland as a symbol of freedom and the personification of Scottish cultural identity.

Molecular data confirms the existence of distinct lineages within Lumbricus friendi (Cognetti 1904) and related “friends”

Lumbricus friendi is a lumbricid earthworm mainly found in western Europe, considerably less well studied than its close relative L. terrestris and until now, has not been a subject of taxonomical debate. However, its disjointed geographical distribution suggesting striking similarities to the Celtic fringes and of the so-called “Lusitanian” species merits further investigation. Our aim was to examine the genetic variation of this species and other related taxa within the genus (L. terrestris, L. rubellus, L. rubellus friendoides and L. friendi bouchei) to test for the existence of cryptic lineages that might explain its current distribution. Using mitochondrial (16S and COI) and nuclear (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism, AFLP) markers, we provide the first genetic basis not only to support the recent claim that L. friendi bouchei should be elevated to species rank (L. bouchei Zicsi and Csuzdi 1999), but also to conclude that L. rubellus friendoides is a valid species too, deserving a new name (L. heracleus stat. nov.). In addition, the AFLP results indicated the existence of a high cryptic diversity within L. friendi populations, which lacked geographic structure, resulting in the French samples being genetically closer to those from Ireland and Wales than to the Spanish ones. Our findings further highlight the likelihood that L. friendi and L. bouchei might have been overlooked or confounded with L. terrestris/L. herculeus and question the reliability of L. friendi records reported in the literature and those deposited in museums and sequence libraries (we provide evidence that this seem to be the case with two examples). We therefore advocate for a better link between morphological diagnostic characters and molecular sequences and the taxonomical validation of museums’ collections and sequence repositories.

W.Y. Evans Wentz the Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries (1911) Letters from Evans Wentz to Sophia Morrison (1910-12)

Abstract Walter Yeeling Evans Wentz (1878-1965), is known for The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries published by Oxford University Press in 1911. Wentz’s personally gathered fairy beliefs in each of the six Celtic lands and the selections that appeared in The Fairy-Faith were introduced by a prominent figure in the Celtic Revival. In the case of the Isle of Man, it was Sophia Morrison (1859-1917), a leading light in the Manx Language Revival. Wentz had visited the Island late in 1909 during December. Discarded by Wentz at some stage were the letters, drafts, and proofs of The Fairy-Faith. That said, ten letters are extant from Wentz to Morrison and they are presented here in full following an introduction to set them in context and with a brief description of their salient content. They show the work that went into Morrison’s introduction, the editorial to-ing and fro-ing involved, and also the progress of The Fairy- Faith itself through Wentz’s own comments to Morrison.

Child burials in domestic contexts at an Iron Age hillfort: The Oppidum of Monte Bernorio (Villarén, Palencia)

The practice of child burials underneath house floors in the Late Prehistory has been considered a characteristic trait of the Iberian religion. However, this custom has also been documented in different archaeological sites both in the Mediterranean and Central Europe as well as Celtic areas of the Iberian Peninsula, so we can explain this funerary practice by an Indo-European origin. We report the archeotanatological and osteoarcheological study of 10 subadults found in the Iron Age site of Monte Bernorio oppidum, the first archeological site in the western and central Cantabrian region with this funerary rite documented. It is the confirmation of both, the survival of an ancient funerary ritual, widely extended in all Europe, and its presence in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. We also review all the archeological sites in the Iberian Peninsula with similar archeological contexts and analyse the rite from the bioarcheology of the care.

Rule Britannia, Brexit and Cornish Identity

This article returns Rule Britannia to its own political, geographical and biographical context at a time when Daphne Du Maurier’s last novel has achieved a kind of afterlife in post-2016 Brexit referendum discourse. Vanishing Cornwall (1967) and The House on the Strand (1969) drew on visions of the past in a decade when the growing tourist industry was exploiting historical representations of the peninsula, but Rule Britannia (1972) was a new departure, marking a reorientation of Du Maurier’s relationship to contemporary Cornwall. The decision to take Britain into the European Common Market and the rise of Celtic nationalism had a clear bearing on the book. So too did Daphne’s move from Menabilly to Kilmarth, her personal relationship to Cornish people, and her continuing need for Cornwall as she faced her retirement from writing fiction.

Mental health, potential minority stressors and resilience: evidence from a cross-sectional survey of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men within the Celtic nations

BackgroundGay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are at a greater risk of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, than heterosexual adults. Numerous factors and stressors have been reported to impact men’s mental health, although it has been suggested that resilience could have a protective effect. The aim of this study is to explore mental health, minority stressors, and resilience among a large online cross-sectional survey of GBMSM in the Celtic nations.MethodsData for this cross-sectional study were collected from the Social Media, GBMSM and Sexual and Holistic Health (SMMASH2) self-report online survey. Participants (n = 3077) were recruited via gay sociosexual media in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors that increased the odds of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression. Potentially relevant variables (p < 0.05) were carried forward in hierarchal logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe prevalence of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression was 19.9 and 14.4%, respectively. Having a disability (OR = 1.73) and having financial worries sometimes/all of the time (OR = 1.93) increased the odds of having moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety, respectively. No minority stressors were associated with depression, whereas experiencing any form of relationship abuse in the last 12 months significantly increased the odds of anxiety (OR = 1.50). Resilience, namely a sense of coherence, had a protective effect and significantly reduced the odds of moderate-to-severe depression (OR = 0.85) and anxiety (OR = 0.89).ConclusionsDisability and financial worries were associated with increased depression and anxiety, respectively, while resilience had a protective effect for GBMSM in the SMMASH2 study. Future research is needed to better understand the role of resilience and the challenges and stresses of everyday life and intersecting health problems. Future research is also needed that incorporates the perspectives of those most affected by mental ill-health to co-develop effective solutions that respond to their contextual surroundings.

A Tale of Two Bridges: The Poetry and Politics of Infrastructure in Nineteenth-Century Wales

Abstract Drawing on Brian Larkin’s concept of ‘infrastructural poetics’, this article considers and compares a selection of English- and Welsh-language poems, by writers including Eliza Mary Hamilton, Frederick Faber, Richard Llwyd, and Eben Fardd, about two nineteenth-century infrastructures that transformed North Wales and Great Britain’s relationship to Ireland: the Menai Suspension Bridge (1826), and the Britannia Tubular Bridge (1850). I argue that these non-canonical poems complement perspectives derived from parliamentary records, official reports, technical planning documents, scientific manuals, and journalism, enhancing our understanding of the nineteenth-century infrastructural imagination. Specifically, building on the association of infrastructural development and modernity, I explore how the poems under discussion participate in nineteenth-century negotiations about Wales’s place and future in the United Kingdom, and how these negotiations evolved between 1819 and 1852. I show that, although Wales was the site of impressive engineering feats and accelerating industrial extraction, English-language poems present the Menai Bridge in picturesque terms, drawing on popular images of the Celtic fringe that evoke timeless, ideal beauty. Anglophone verse about Britannia Bridge, by contrast, focuses explicitly on the infrastructure’s technological modernity but claims it as an English landmark. Both strategies, I suggest, effect an erasure of Wales – as a distinct cultural and political entity – from a future conceived as Anglo-British. Poems written in Welsh, and the work of Welsh writers in English, complicate this picture, not because they reject British nationalism and imperialism, but because they seek to embed a modern Welsh nation more centrally within those political and ideological frameworks.

Why parents chose to send their children to Irish-medium immersion preschools: learning from parental choice strategies in Celtic countries

ABSTRACT This study investigated the reasons Irish parents chose to send their children to Irish-medium preschools settings over other forms of early childhood education. The international literature on parental decision making regarding childcare and relevant studies on immersion education in Celtic countries were reviewed. A parental questionnaire, informed by this literature, was distributed through selected immersion settings in Ireland. Social and cognitive development were the main reasons parents cited in regard to early childhood education and an interest in the Irish language and bilingualism along with the good reputation of the immersion preschool were the reasons they chose immersion preschooling. Comparisons were made with the reasons parents chose immersion primary education in Scotland, Wales and Ireland and the findings were broadly similar across the studies. Recommendations include disseminating information about immersion preschools more widely as well as reviewing the impact of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act (DES, Admission to Schools Policy. Dublin: DES. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/act/14/enacted/en/html, 2018) on enrolment in Irish-medium preschools and primary schools.

"That Deep Relationship with the Locale": Community and Place in Dún Chaoin, County Kerry

"That Deep Relationship with the Locale"Community and Place in Dún Chaoin, County Kerry Dáithí De Mórdha (bio) psychologies are often rooted in and revealed through place and physical setting. The West Kerry Gaeltacht looms large in the Irish literary imagination: Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers, Muiris Ó Súilleabháin, Seán Ó Ríordáin, Pádraig Ó Cíobháin, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Colm Breathnach, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, not to mention Ryan's Daughter, Far and Away, Star Wars, and on and on. This particular landscape operates at a symbolic and cultural level far, far beyond what its population or material resources demand. But for those who live and work in this microcultural and linguistic sphere, the relationship is different. It is individualized, multi-seasonal, and generational. It is a lived experience rather than a textual or visual experience, grounded in memories and emotions rather than in Google maps. In 2021, off the Kerry coast, the aptly named Cú Na Mara trawler netted a tusk. Initially thought to be a mammoth tusk, it proved of more recent origin: an elephant tusk. Slave ships in addition to their human cargo frequently transported elephant tusks to be sold in Britain. In a Doireann Ní Ghríofa–esque moment, the past—a slave ship sailing from Africa to an English (or even an Irish) port, blown off course and sinking off the Kerry coast—reappears in our present. This incident no more than the area's memories of Sir Walter Raleigh, the slaughter of Spanish sailors, and the Lusitania wreckage serves not only to underline the hidden transnational narrative nature of this landscape and seascape but to bring home to us what is hidden in the past, physically beneath us and psychologically within us. Where the summer visitor's eye sees beauty and serenity, a local verbal artist, Peig Sayers, sees a landscape of "internal feelings," a landscape that contains a hidden history, a subterranean narrative. Beneath stunning landscapes, desolate hillsides, ruins, heritage centers, and cafés lies [End Page 55] a deeper, often-forgotten history of power and powerlessness: emigration, eviction, dispossession, inequality, injustice. There exists, Dáithí de Mórdha observes, a "deep intergenerational relationship among people, place, and nature in this place, the most westerly community in Ireland," if not Europe. The following essay explores an insider's "deep relationship with the locale" and how in a small parish on the Celtic fringe of Europe each generation has left evidence of the interaction between the people and the place. brian ó conchubhair, university of notre dame _____ On March 11, 1920, on the Great Blasket Island off the tip of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, Tomás Ó Criomhthain awoke and wandered out after a nighttime storm.1 He described the scene of destruction which lay before him in his book Allagar na hInise (Island Cross-Talk): Bhíos ag máinneáil liom ar an gcuma seo ag tabhairt gach ní faoi ndeara gur chuas i radharc na gcladaí. Ansin is ea a bhuail iontas eile mé, is é sin, an obair a bhí déanta ag an stoirm mhór. Níl aon dabht ná gurb iontach é gnóthaí an duine agus gnóthaí atá déanta ar fuaid an domhain, ach tar i radharc an ghnótha seo a dhein an mhórmhuir le cumhachta Dé agus cuirfidh sé ag machnamh tamall thú. Na stocáin a bhain an fharraige, na hoileáin a bhain sí as a bpréamhacha, na hoileáin mhóra ar bhain sí an croiceann díobh i dteannta an fhéir, na carraigeacha a thóg sí ó cheann den chladach go dtí an ceann eile agus mórán acu nár fhág sí in aon áit. Tá daoine ann agus is olc a chreidfidís uait go bhfuil aon chumhacht eile ann a bhuafadh ar na nithe a chíonn a súil féin. Amadántaíocht!2 I was wandering along like this, noticing everything, until the harbor came into view. It was then that another wonder struck me; the impact of the great storm. There is no doubt about...

Henry Rider Haggard’s Nordicism? When Black Vikings fight alongside White Zulus in South Africa

This article surveys the question of racism and racial representations in the works of Henry Rider Haggard. Among the numerous articles and chapters written on that topic, few have tackled the issue from the perspective of the nordicist ideology that developed in the late 19th century and the early years of the 20th. This idea that Northern European people were part of an “elite race” was promoted, particularly in Britain where saxonism was brushed aside as it excluded the “Celtic fringe” of the British Isles. Yet, Late Victorian ideologists were adamant to advertise a consensual Empire which would unite all “British” peoples. The Viking (Middle) Age was thus promoted as a common heroic background to both the Saxons and Celts as the “Sea Kings” plundered the shores of the British Isles and even settled there. Haggard evokes the Vikings but also the Norse elite warriors, the Berserkir in some of his novels. This article purports to examine Haggard’s engagement with the ambient racial ideologies of the period: was he just a man of his time or did he have another vision for race relations in South Africa?