Norse Mythology

Traces of the Norse Mythology in the Isle of Man
by P.M.C. Kermode

"Norse, Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. Norse mythology is the best-preserved version of the older common Germanic paganism, which also includes the closely related Anglo-Saxon mythology. Germanic mythology, in its turn, developed from an earlier Indo-European mythology.

Norse mythology is a collection of beliefs and stories shared by Northern Germanic tribes. It had no one set of doctrinal beliefs. The mythology was orally transmitted in the form of poetry and our knowledge about it is mainly based on the Eddas and other medieval texts written down during and after Christianization.

Some aspects of Norse mythology passed into Scandinavian folklore and have survived to modern day times. Others have recently been reinvented or reconstructed as Germanic neopaganism. The mythology also remains as an inspiration in literature... as well as on stage productions and movies."

About the Author:

"Phillip Moore Callow Kermode, born 21 March 1855 in Ramsey, Isle of Man, died 1932, was a Manx antiquarian and historian. He was the brother of Josephine Kermode, a Manx poetess who wrote under the nom de plume "Cushag". He was noted for his seriousness and work on inscriptions on Manx crosses. He wrote several books on Manx history and issues. William Kermode, then chaplain of St. Pauls, Ramsey, later Vicar of Maughold and then Rector of Ballaugh, and Jane Bishop of Shelton Hall, Staffordshire. The mother of Rev. William Kermode was the daughter and heiress of William Callow of Claughbane, who married Thomas Kermode of Bride and Marown. The family inherited Claughbane, near Ramsey, and the young Philip Kermode lived for a number of years in the old mansion house there. He attended King Williams College for some years, afterwards being articled to Mr. (later Sir) Alured Dumbell, and was admitted to the Manx Bar in 1878 (aged 23). He never married, his unmarried sister, Josphine Kermode, better known as the poet Cushag, kept house for him. His legal labours continued throughout most of his life, until becoming curator of the Manx Museum he was Clerk to the Justices at Ramsey,

Certainly in later life he had a reputation for seriousness - Marshall Cubbon, in comparing him with William Cubbon who was almost the reverse in temperament, states that he was seldom seen smiling. No doubt his position in the Island legal profession accounted for his membership of the local masons - the thought of him incongrously decked out in his apron with one trouser leg rolled up to the knee will, Im afraid, always bring a touch of humanity to the picture (at least to me). He did however, attempt one work of semi-fiction - the story of Juan Priest published in Mannin. A different light on him may be thrown by the story of a friends death whilst the pair were birds-nesting."