The name Gunn is thought to be Norse in origin, the clan claiming descent from Gunni, grandson of Sweyn Asleifsson, “the Ultimate Viking” and second son of Olaf the Black, Norse King of Man and the Isles who died in 1237. Noted for their war-like and ferocious character, they were sworn enemies of the Keiths […]
Category Archives: Articles
Scottish Christmas Traditions
From the Celtic History Newsletter: Just a few miscellaneous tidbits on holiday traditions. Christmas Eve was often seen as a good time for divination. One tradition was to have every unmarried person present break an egg and drop the contents into a glass, the shape that the white of the egg formed was interpreted to […]
“Hotel Supramonte” Lyrics by Fabrizio de Andre
One of my all time favorite songs is “Hotel Supramonte” by Fabrizio de Andre. Fabrizio de Andrè was an Italian folk singer. From what I understand, back in the 70s, he and his wife were vacationing in Sardinia when some bandits kidnapped them. They were prisoners for four months before being released. This song came […]
Beowulf Parody
This was submitted to my Renaissance Festival Podcast compilation CD. The recording was a little long, but it’s very cool! And just in time for the Beowulf movie. BEOWULFby Rathflaed DuNoirThe Black Bard of Meridiesmka: Stephen R. Melvin See Grendel. See Grendel eat. Eat, Grendel, eat. Grendel is eating a few Danish for breakfast. Grendel […]
How NOT to Wear a Great Kilt
by Julian Jensen Since we are on the topic of removing pants: My first encounter with the kilt phenomenon this Pennsic. Anyone who has ever worn a real kilt knows instantly that there is no dignity to be salvaged from kilts. I am not talking about those wimpy little kilts that you simply buy and […]
National Feral Cat Day
Success Tips for TNR Our efforts are working. Alley Cat Allies hears from advocates across the country about the progress they’re making with changing the archaic and entrenched animal control system in their community. Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) is making a very real difference for feral cats in communities just like yours. Below are […]
Ande’s Lyric Writing Tips
Here’s some of the guidelines Ande Rasmussen follows when he is writing lyrics: 1) there are no rules, there’s only tools, you’ll find exceptions to everything below, but it’s generally good to stick with them, unless you have a really good reason not to 2) Genuine Idea Is the idea worthy of becoming a song? […]
Two Monks Come Across a Naked Girl
From Seymoure: Life is a gift, to waste it is the greatest sin. Do what you do, prepare as you can, and then move on. Worry never adds. I used to tell the story of the two monks who are walking down a country road when they come upon a river. Suddenly a beautiful naked […]
New Kilt Wearers’ Tips
From the Celtic History Newsletter: Last month I said I was going to continue my discussion of Celtic crosses, but with summer here and the Highland games / Renaissance fair / reenactment season here I thought it would be a good time write something lighter and to share a few tips for people who are […]
Celtic/Market Crosses
Vicrtorian writers often assumed that stone market crosses in many villages in the British Isles were replacements for the original wooden crosses erected by saints and priests in the early days of Christianity. But in the early 20th century a man named John Irwin pointed out that as early amateur archaeologists began exploring the remoter […]
