Medieval folklore, with its opulent collection of tales, myths and legends, represents a rich tapestry of popular beliefs and traditions. Among these fantastic tales, fairies and elves hold a predominant place, embodying the wonders and fears of the age. The supernatural was omnipresent, permeating every aspect of daily life and shaping a cosmogony where the mystical went hand in hand with material reality.

Introduction

1. Origins and Sources of Fairy Fables

The concept of fairies and elves, as we know it, has its roots in a rich mythological soil that spans the ages and cultures.

1.1. Celtic influence

• Celtic traditions, rich in stories about the Sidhe and the Tuatha Dé Danann, are precursors of fairy myths.
• Nature plays a central role for the Celts, where every tree, spring or hill can be inhabited by spirits.

1.2. Nordic mythology

• Elves originate in Nordic legends, where they are differentiated into light and dark, each occupying a distinct role in the hierarchy of creatures.

1.3 Christian influences

• With the arrival of Christianity, fairies and elves were often reinterpreted, their role and perception evolving under the influence of the new religion.

1.4. Influential medieval texts

• Works such as Les Lais de Marie de France preserve and disseminate the image of fairies, notably through the figure of the fairy godmother, a benevolent and tutelary presence.

2. The nature of fairies and elves

Perceptions of fairies and elves vary according to story and tradition, with ranging from benevolent creatures to beings to be feared.

2.1. Different perceptions of fairies

• Representations vary from benevolent fairies, guardians of nature, to malevolent fairies, often associated with seduction and danger.

2.2. Elves: spirits or creatures?

• Nordic mythology differentiates between light and dark elves, the former often associated with protection, the latter sometimes viewed with suspicion.

2.3. Links with natural elements

• Deep symbolism with the forces of nature: fairies and elves often personify elements such as water with the ondines or the forest with the dryads.

3. The roles of fairies and elves in medieval society

In medieval society, fairy creatures were both feared and revered.

3.1. Protective and beneficent creatures

• Fairies intervene at key moments in life, rich in symbolism, such as birth, embodied by the figure of the fairy godmother.

3.2. The ambivalence of fairies in folk tales

• Many stories feature men seduced and sometimes carried away by fairies, reflecting moral warnings and teachings.

3.3. Festivals and rituals associated with fairies and elves

• Festivals such as Samhain emphasize the importance of acknowledging and respecting supernatural beings through various offerings and practices.

4. Transformation and Decline of Fairy Beliefs after the Middle Ages

Over time, belief in these creatures declined, but they survived in culture and literature.

4.1. The influence of the Renaissance and modern era

• Fairy concepts were reconsidered, with the supernatural rationalized and often relegated to the status of superstition or quaint folklore.

4.2. The evolution of fairies and elves in modern literature

• The writings of Shakespeare and later those of Tolkien reinvent and keep alive the figures of fairies and elves beyond their medieval context.

Conclusion

Fairies and elves have spanned the centuries, evolving from supernatural guides to storybook characters. Their stories continue to fascinate and inspire, testifying to mankind's indelible attraction to the marvellous and the fantastic.

Mots-Article Reference

• Medieval fairies
• Elf mythology
• Medieval folklore
• Superstitions in the Middle Ages
• Fairies and elves in literature
• Tuatha Dé Danann
• Celtic fairies
• Medieval nature spirits
• Arthurian legends
• Norse mythology and elves
• Medieval fantasy creatures
• Witchcraft and fairies
• Fairy symbolology