White Rose of Avalon

Maranda Wabik

  • My Top 5 Henry VIII Portrayals

    In this post I will count down my top five actors to have given life to Henry VIII in films and television. Number 5: Ruairi O’Connor in The Spanish Princess  ~In the series based on the life of Katherine of Aragon, and books by Philippa Gregory Henry VIII is portrayed by Ruairi O’Connor.   During…

  • Rhiannon: Faerie Queen

    Rhiannon was a horse goddess in ancient Wales.    This Celtic goddess had her story told in the Mabinogion.   Besides horses Rhiannon also has three songbirds that are symbols of her power.    Rhiannon seems to be related to the ancient Gallo-Roman horse goddess Epona, and a derivative, possibly of the earlier Celtic goddess…

  • Rival Queens

    In the times of Tudor rule in England there were two rival Queens, both with claims to the throne.    The first was Elizabeth I, Queen of England and daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.   The second was Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, and the great niece of Henry VIII (Mary’s grandmother was…

  • My Top 10 Arthurian Films

    The top films in a specific category is always a matter that inspires much debate.   As a lover of everything Arthurian, and faerie, and films (especially classic films) I think I am qualified to tell you my personal top ten list of Arthurian adaptions!   Number 10: Avalon High ~This Disney Channel Original Film…

  • The Faerie Melusine

    The legend of the faerie Melusine has its roots in medieval France.    There are also German versions of the tale where she was called Melusina.   French tradition links Melusine with noble houses, and some medieval royals and nobles claimed decent from this faerie woman. The story of Melusine is one of a faerie…

  • Apple Symbolism

    Apple Symbolism

    The symbolism of apples runs rife in legends, folklore, fairytales, and myths.   For thousands of years apples have been seen as the fruit of knowledge, and as a symbol of protection.   If you cut an apple in half horizontally you see the secret within, the seeds of the apple form the shape of…

  • Nostradamus: Court Seer of France

    In sixteenth century France there lived a great magician named Nostradamus.    We have all heard the name, and you can even read his predictions in books.   The truth is he really did live at the Royal Court of France in the sixteenth century during the reign of Henri II and Catherine de Medici.…

  • La Belle Dame Sans Merci

    Guinevere is the wife of Arthur in the Arthurian cycle.   In most versions of the legends it is a given that she betrayed Arthur with a close friend or family member during their marriage.   In the most common versions of the legends Guinevere betrayed Arthur by falling in love with Lancelot du Lac,…

  • The Swan Maidens

    I have always loved a good fairytale that involved swans.   This could be chalked up to the fact that I was born in the month of the swan in the Celtic zodiac.    Swans are an animal deeply associated with Faery (and the faerie folk) which makes me love them all the more!  …

  • The Six Wives of Henry VIII

    Henry VIII was king of England from 1509 until his death in 1547. He was born the second son of Henry VII and his queen, Elizabeth of York. Upon the untimely death of his older brother Arthur (named for the legendary king whom their father claimed decent from) he became the Prince of Wales. Besides…