We are grateful to Martine Mussies for contributing a guest blog this month. Martine Mussies is an artistic researcher and autistic academic, currently pursuing her PhD at Maastricht University (the Netherlands).
The reimagining of historical figures in modern literature and fanfiction has become a growing phenomenon, with authors taking creative liberties to reconstruct and recontextualise both history and myth. One such figure that has sparked considerable interest in fanfiction communities is Alfred the Great, the ninth-century King of Wessex. Fanfiction surrounding Alfred often infuses Celtic mythology and symbols, despite the fact that during Alfred’s reign, Celtic culture was already in decline in southern Britain. Among these Celtic elements, ogham—a type of early medieval script associated with Ireland and parts of Britain—features prominently in fanfiction as a symbol of mysticism and magic. This article explores how Celtic motifs, particularly ogham, are employed in Alfred-centric fanfiction, reflecting a unique intersection of history, mythology, and literary reinterpretation.
Alfred the Great in Popular Imagination
Alfred the Great (849–899) is remembered in British history as a formidable ruler who defended his kingdom from Viking invasions and contributed significantly to the educational and cultural development of his realm. His life and deeds are immortalised in texts such as Asser’s Vita Ælfredi regis Angul Saxonum (893), a biographical account by a Welsh monk who served as a tutor and advisor to Alfred. Asser’s narrative presents Alfred as a multifaceted ruler, not only a military strategist but also a scholar and reformer dedicated to the advancement of his people’s learning. This portrayal has endured through the centuries, influencing both historical scholarship and popular culture.
The fascination with Alfred as a national hero experienced a resurgence in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when Romantic and Victorian writers glorified his figure as a symbol of national unity and resilience. Dubbed “Alfredism,” this movement framed Alfred as a quasi-mythical figure, elevating his status far beyond that of a historical king. The modern era has seen a new wave of Alfredian fascination, driven largely by television series such as The Last Kingdom and Vikings, which blend historical fact with fictional embellishment. Fanfiction builds upon these narratives, allowing amateur writers to further explore Alfred’s character and world, often infusing elements of fantasy, folklore, and alternative history.
The Role of Celtic Elements in Alfredian Fanfiction
A notable trend in fanfiction featuring Alfred the Great is the incorporation of Celtic elements, which range from mythological references to the use of ogham inscriptions and other symbolic motifs. This inclusion of Celtic culture is striking, given that during Alfred’s time, the native Brittonic cultures had been largely displaced or marginalised to peripheral regions such as Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and other contemporary sources suggest limited interaction between Wessex and these Celtic enclaves. Nonetheless, fanfiction authors draw heavily on Celtic lore to imbue Alfred’s narratives with a layer of mysticism and supernatural intrigue, creating a hybrid world where Anglo-Saxon and Celtic traditions intersect.
A recurrent theme is the depiction of ogham, a writing system that, while often associated with Celtic traditions, is distinctively Irish in origin (even the ogham inscriptions found in Wales were not created by the Welsh, but by Irish settlers who had migrated to the region). In Alfredian fanfiction, ogham is frequently portrayed as a language of magical power, used for spellcasting, transmitting secret messages, or as a gateway to the spiritual realm. However, it is important to note that historically, ogham had no magical connotations whatsoever. Within these fictional narratives, ogham often emerges as an enigmatic, arcane script employed by druids, sorcerers, or even Alfred himself in certain versions. The decision to incorporate ogham highlights a common tendency in fanfiction to repurpose culturally resonant symbols, imbuing the story with a sense of historical ‘authenticity’ (or convincingness) while weaving elements of fantasy.
Methodological Approach
In my research, I systematically identified 11 fanfictions that feature King Alfred alongside ogham references. To find these works, I employed keyword searches on prominent fanfiction platforms such as Fanfiction.net, Wattpad, and Archive of Our Own (AO3). The search terms included variations of “King Alfred,” “ogham,” and translated versions in different languages, given the global nature of fanfiction communities. I also participated in dedicated online forums and social media groups focusing on Alfredian lore, thereby gaining access to privately circulated works that might otherwise escape scholarly scrutiny.
After securing these texts, I performed a comparative analysis to examine how ogham is portrayed within each narrative. I considered the historical origins and uses of ogham, juxtaposing them against their fictional applications. Ogham, in historical contexts, was used primarily for inscriptions on stone and for memorial purposes. However, in fanfiction, it is frequently transformed into a magical language, akin to the Elder Futhark runes in Norse mythology. This shift from a mundane script to a magical one highlights the creative latitude that fanfiction authors exercise in reinterpreting historical symbols.
Ogham as a Narrative Device
Ogham’s depiction in Alfredian fanfiction serves multiple narrative purposes. Firstly, it introduces an element of mysticism that enhances the tension and complexity of the stories. In many tales, ogham appears as an enigmatic code, decipherable only by a select few, thus serving as a plot device to underscore themes of knowledge, secrecy, and power. For example, some authors use ogham inscriptions to represent hidden messages exchanged between Alfred and his Celtic allies or opponents, adding layers of political intrigue to the narrative.
Secondly, ogham acts as a bridge between the human and supernatural realms. Fanfiction often depicts Alfred as engaging with druids or other supernatural figures, who use ogham to communicate with spirits or to harness elemental forces. This portrayal reflects broader trends in modern fantasy, where ancient scripts are imbued with magical properties, transforming otherwise historical artefacts into powerful symbols of transcendence.
Celtic Mythology and Rituals in Fanfiction
Besides ogham, fanfiction frequently incorporates other Celtic motifs, such as mythological figures, seasonal festivals, and religious rites. Characters like the god Lugh or the warrior Cú Chulainn are repurposed to either assist or challenge Alfred, providing a rich tapestry of mythic and cultural conflict. Similarly, seasonal rituals such as Samhain and Beltane are reimagined as pivotal events where Alfred confronts his mortality or undergoes spiritual transformation.
These narratives often draw upon Alfred’s documented health issues, portraying him as a king beset by both physical and spiritual maladies. In such stories, the arrival of a Celtic healer or druid, bearing the knowledge of ogham and other mystical practices, serves as a catalyst for Alfred’s recovery or enlightenment. This trope allows fanfiction authors to blend the historical with the fantastical, presenting Alfred not merely as a Christian king but as a figure who bridges multiple cultural and spiritual worlds.
Significance and Implications
The presence of Celtic elements in Alfredian fanfiction reveals the genre’s role as a site for the reinterpretation and renegotiation of history. By integrating ogham and other Celtic motifs, authors consciously or unconsciously challenge the traditional boundaries between Anglo-Saxon and Celtic identities. This hybridity mirrors broader cultural movements that seek to reclaim and celebrate Celtic heritage in contemporary Britain, positioning Alfred not only as a historical ruler but also as a protagonist in a mythic narrative that encompasses multiple cultural traditions.
The imaginative use of ogham thus serves as a tool for fanfiction writers to explore themes of language, power, and identity. It enriches the portrayal of Alfred’s world, allowing for new interpretations that resonate with modern readers who are drawn to both the historical and the fantastical.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the integration of ogham and Celtic mythology in fanfiction centred on Alfred the Great underscores the adaptive nature of fan culture. These creative narratives reveal how historical figures can be transformed into conduits for exploring contemporary issues and reimagining the past through new lenses. By blending history and myth, fanfiction authors offer a nuanced portrayal of Alfred’s reign, highlighting the enduring appeal of both his character and the enigmatic symbols that have become part of his evolving legend. This study encourages further exploration into how fanfiction reinvents historical narratives and enriches our collective engagement with the past.
More
- Mussies, M., ‘Healing Women: The Covid-19 Crisis and Alfredian Fanfiction’, Journal of the LUCAS Graduate Conference 9 (2021), 52-73.
- Mussies, M., ‘”ᚁ is Beith and means birch” – an exploration of Ogham in online fanfiction featuring King Alfred the Great’, Studia Celtica Posnaniensia 8 (2023), 26-54.
- Mussies, M., ‘The Multilingual Tapestry of King Alfred Fanfiction’, Études Médiévales Anglaises 102 (2023), 109-156.
- Mussies, M. ‘“The Fate of England Rested With a 22 Year Old Boy” ‐ Media Representations of the Youth and Childhood of King Alfred the Great.’ Sociology Lens 37.1 (2024): 149-161.