I am bang on topic this week gentle reader, doubly so with the figure of the Green Man as myth and symbol on Earth Day 2023, and with controversy raging over the presence of said mythological being on the official invitation to the king's Coronation on 6th May.
Some were quick to denounce the use of a 'pagan' symbol in heraldic artist Andrew Jamieson's artwork for the official invitation to what is a profoundly religious ceremony in Westminster Abbey, for the Green Man is given prominence alongside the coats of arms of Charles and Camilla and a border of intricate floral design.
Being neither religious nor a monarchist myself, I can take a dispassionate interest in the dispute. I actually like the Green Man as he has been incorporated into Jamieson's design, and if anyone bothers to dig into the history and mythology behind the symbol - which is essentially about rebirth and renewal - they will end up with Adam and Eve and Seth, Adam's third son according to the book of Genesis.
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There are accounts in early Semitic and Greek 'histories' that tell of Adam's attempt at the end of his long life (aged 930!) to gain immortality. It is said that he sent Seth back to the Garden of Eden to beg for some Oil of the Tree of Life. Seth was not allowed back into Paradise but the angel gave him three seeds from the Tree. On returning, he found that his father had died, so he placed the seeds under Adam's tongue and buried him. From the grave eventually a new tree grew - and that is the basis of the Green Man myth, recounted in medieval stories, portrayed in stained glass church windows and built into religious 'miracle' plays.
The Green Man did not exist in pagan mythologies, He's Judaeo-Christian in origin and became part of the fabric of English life following the Norman conquest. Such 'pagan' connotation or provenance as has been attributed to him (for instance as the May Day fertility symbol known as 'Jack in the Green' or as an icon of the natural world in the face of industrialisation and exploitation of the planet), will have grown out of those original biblical and medieval religious myths. So Jamieson is merely giving new life to an ancient Christian motif, using it (one presumes very obviously) to suggest regeneration and in the knowledge that it echoes King Charles' love, concern and respect for the natural world.
There's no poem this week. Instead I thought I'd include a poetical musical bonus. It's Roger Waters and David Gilmour (with Rick Wright) of Pink Floyd performing a beautiful version of Grantchester Meadows (Click on the song title to activate the YouTube link.) I spent my teenage years in Cambridge (actually went to the same school as David Gilmour) and used to spend happy evenings drinking at the Green Man pub in Grantchester.
Finally, just in case you weren't lucky enough to receive one yourself, this is the official invitation to the coronation (featuring that Green Man) which everyone has been getting so worked up about...
Happy Earth Day. Thanks for reading, S ;-)
22 comments:
I see you got your invitation then. 😂😂😂
Green for growth and regeneration, I get, but why a man when birthing is a female attribute? Where is our Green Woman? BTW your 'invitation' made me smile. Keep subverting.
I haven't listened to Grantchester Meadows for decades! What a wonderful rendition. I must say I don't set much store by this greening of the monarchy.
Gilmour absolutely hated the place. As well he might. And of course, Steve, we didn't quite overlap with him, anyway, but I do remember his younger brother Pete. And Jack Monck - bassist with Syd's short-lived outfit Stars - is still around. Three or four years above us, they were. I get muddled up between the Green Man in Trumpington and the one in Grantchester (not that I could find either of them these days). Which one had the bar billiards table?
Storm in a souvenir coronation tea-cup. Interesting back story to the Green Man though.
Such an interesting read Steve. I heard in a song that when traveller and gypsy chidren die an acorn is placed in each pocket. After burial twin oaks grow in the spot. Had I known the Green Man featured in the coronation ,I may have taken more notice.
Well that's fascinating. I'd always assumed the Green Man was some kind of pagan nature figure, and clearly I wasn't alone.
Very informative Steve. I knew that Charles woudn't want to inflame Christian distaste. Excellent blog. Hope that you can take a guest to the coronation becuse I didn't get Eurovision tickets. Ha ha!
I wonder if Greene King will be brewing a special Coronation ale. I'd drink it if they sold it at 1799 prices. 😉
I don't sense a lot of excitement over the upcoming coronation. Is it because we've changed so much as a society over 70 years or are C&C just not as glamorous as QEII was at her crowning?
Nothing to do with the Jolly Green Giant then. Love your 'invitation'!
Not our king, no matter how green.
The figure of the Green Man does go further back than conventional history records if you look at Norse/Celtic representation of Cennouness
As we come to Beltane on the 6th of May we acknowledge him coming from the woods to consecrate the birth of Summer with the Young Maiden of Spring to bring life and birth to the Earth.
And so begins the Wild Hunt which ends with the last harvest of Samhien (Halloween)
Yes, pre-BC Judaic mythology. Just to add that the wood of which the 'true cross' was made is supposed to have originated in the tree that grew out of Adam's grave.
I trust you will go wearing a suit of Lincoln green? 😊
Poor old Charles is on a hiding to nothing, trying to be green in the face of the weight of pageantry. Let him have his token on the invitation, for goodness sake. I must say I was hoping for a poem about green men.
Regarding a comment above, I thought Beltane falls on 1st May not 6th May.
Very interesting Steve. I'll look out for you on the telly (LOL).
I don't have much time for green men.
Anyone else found all the coronation shenanigans just embarrassing?
Neil Burton
Beltane as with all pagan/Wiccan feasts which are based on agricultural celebrations are governed by the timing of the full moon.
Did you go? (LOL). More to the point, in what kind of world does Katy Perry qualify as one of 2000 guests at the coronation of the King of England?
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