The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian
Home Latest Posts Forums Maps Help
Browse Sites News Blog Contributors The Books
Head To Head   The Modern Antiquarian   Maeshowe Forum Start a topic | Search
Maeshowe
Re: Entymology of Maeshowe - a Viking speaks
85 messages
Select a forum:
I haven't read all the responses, so please forgive if I repeat someone else.

First thing is to find out the earliest recorded version of the name
Consider the sound of the elements of the name rather than the spelling

Norse for house is "hus" and sounds like huss not howsse, so "haugr" meaning a mound and specifically a grave mound seems pretty certain

(some lovely combination words exist:"hauga-brot" - breaking open of a grave mound, "hauga-eldr" - fire from graves and "haug-bui" ghost or undead man - a Viking zombie!)

"Maes" is the mystery and is why I ask of the earliest known date of the name. If it is early medieval then English words will have crept in - Scots is but an Anglo-Norse dialect - heretical but true)

It could be a personal name and if so probably a hero, giant or mythical person. On a more mundane level, "maes" can mean a boundary and is derived from "maere" which evolved in England into "mark" and "marches". Is there an actual or former boundary close by? Too tenuous to suggest that the mound was a boundary between life and death.

Just a thought or two, meaning I don't rightly know!


Reply | with quote
PeterH
Posted by PeterH
12th May 2005ce
21:10

In reply to:

Re: Entymology of Maeshowe - a Viking speaks (wideford)

1 reply:

Re: fao Peter the Heretic (follow that cow)

Messages in this topic:

Terms & Conditions  |  Home  |  Julian Cope presents Head Heritage Top of page