Elphame
From Traditional Witchcraft Wiki Project
Elphame or Elfhame is the name used in northern English ballads for Alfheim, literally 'Elf-home'; this place being the abode of the Álfar ("Elves") in Norse mythology. In later English publications it has been called Alfheim, Elfland or Elfenland. The fairy queen is often called the "Queen of Elphame" in ballads such as that of Thomas the Rhymer:
"I'm not the Queen of Heaven, Thomas, That name does not belong to me; I am but the Queen of fair Elphame Come out to hunt in my follie."
Elfhame or Elfland, is portrayed in a variety of ways in these ballads and stories, most commonly as mystical and benevolent, but also at times as sinister and wicked. The mysteriousness of the land, and its otherworldly powers are a source of scepticism and distrust in many tales. Examples of journeys to the realm include "Thomas the Rhymer" and the fairy tale "Childe Rowland", the latter being a particularly negative view of the land.
