The Role of Ogham and other Celtic Elements in Alfredian Fanfiction

Fanfiction, a genre that reimagines and reinterprets established narratives, offers a unique lens through which historical figures and events are continually re-explored. One of the more compelling subjects of such reinterpretations is King Alfred the Great, a ninth-century Anglo-Saxon monarch who is celebrated not only for his military acumen against the Viking invasions but also for his contributions to education and governance. Recent fanfiction, inspired by popular media - such as the TV shows Vikings and The Last Kingdom and video games like Mount & Blade and Total War: THRONES OF BRITANNIA - often introduces anachronistic elements, blending historical authenticity with fictionalised storytelling. Among these elements, one that stands out is the use of Ogham, an ancient script associated with the Celtic peoples. This blog post delves into the significance of Ogham and other Celtic symbols in fanfiction about King Alfred, highlighting how these creative adaptations transform historical narratives into richly layered fictional worlds.

Historical Context and the Role of Ogham

Ogham, a form of early medieval writing using distinct strokes or notches along a central line, is rooted in Irish and Welsh culture. Emerging in the 4th century AD, the script was primarily used to inscribe boundary markers and commemorate the dead. By the time Alfred ascended to the throne in the late 9th century, Celtic culture had been largely relegated to the peripheries of Britain and Ireland, with Anglo-Saxon and Viking influences dominating much of the area. The historical figure of Alfred, however, had limited documented interactions with Celtic communities, making the prominence of Ogham in modern fanfiction an intriguing anomaly.

In fanfiction, Ogham is often used as a mystical tool that endows the narrative with a supernatural dimension. Its inclusion serves a dual purpose: to evoke a sense of historical depth and to bridge the gap between different mythologies. This fictional usage of Ogham is not rooted in historical records, yet it provides fanfiction authors with a tool to craft unique interactions between Anglo-Saxon and Celtic cultures. The choice to incorporate Ogham as a magical or secretive script highlights its potential as a symbol of resistance and otherness, qualities that resonate strongly in the context of a ruler like Alfred, who faced constant challenges to his authority.

Fanfiction and the Blending of Cultural Narratives

The creative reimagining of Alfred's world through the prism of Celtic mythology reflects a broader trend within fanfiction to repurpose historical narratives for contemporary themes and genres. In the eleven fanfictions I have analysed, Ogham is frequently presented as a mystical script of power, used by druids or other mystical figures to control natural elements, ward off enemies, or communicate across great distances. Such portrayals are more reflective of modern fantasy tropes than of historical fact, yet they resonate with the genre’s tradition of blending reality with myth.

For example, “The Stones of Ælfred” by Merryn depicts Alfred consulting a druidic scholar, who inscribes Ogham symbols onto stones to protect Wessex from Viking raids. This scene, while anachronistic, serves to enhance Alfred’s characterisation as a ruler willing to embrace unconventional alliances and knowledge in his fight for his people’s survival. “An Rí Cogaidh agus an Sagart Gaelach: Scéal Grá na Máighdean Íseal faoi Mhágic Ogham” (“The War King and the Gaelic Priest: A Love Story about a Low Virgin under Ogham Magic”) by Aisling O’Malley uses Ogham to encode secret messages between Alfred and a fictional Irish ally, underscoring the script’s adaptability and mystery. In both instances, Ogham becomes a symbolic mediator between different cultural identities, one that Alfred navigates with both trepidation and respect.

Celtic Mythological Figures in Alfredian Fanfiction

Beyond the use of Ogham, fanfiction writers often introduce Celtic deities and legendary figures into the narrative space of Alfred’s England. Characters such as Lugh, the Irish god of light and craftsmanship, and Cú Chulainn, the hero of the Ulster Cycle, are reimagined as powerful allies or formidable opponents. These mythological beings are not merely decorative but serve to contextualise Alfred’s struggles within a broader supernatural framework. By juxtaposing Alfred—a Christian king who championed education and law—with pagan gods and heroes, these narratives create complex interactions that question the binaries of civilisation versus savagery, enlightenment versus superstition.

One recurring motif is Alfred’s illness, a documented aspect of his historical life, which is often addressed through the intervention of a Celtic healer or goddess figure. In these fanfictions, the ritualistic use of Ogham inscriptions is said to draw upon the ancient wisdom of the Celtic druids, positioning Alfred’s recovery as a moment of cultural and spiritual fusion. This trope is particularly prominent in stories that fall under the "Enemies to Lovers" or "Slow Burn" subgenres, where a mysterious Celtic woman, sometimes named Modwen, becomes both Alfred’s adversary and saviour. In Enemies to Lovers stories, characters begin as adversaries, but over time, their animosity transforms into mutual respect and affection, creating a powerful emotional arc. When combined with a Slow Burn approach, the romance develops gradually and meaningfully, with each small moment of trust or connection carrying significant weight. The tension between the conflicting worldviews of Alfred and the women thus serve as a narrative pivot, with Ogham inscriptions functioning as symbols of their evolving relationship.

Symbolism and Ritual: The Role of Ogham in World-Building

Ritualistic elements are crucial to the portrayal of Celtic influences in Alfredian fanfiction. Celebrations such as Samhain and Beltane are described in vivid detail, with Ogham often employed as a ceremonial script used in spells or invocations. These scenes serve to deepen the sense of immersion in a world where Alfred’s Christian piety coexists uneasily with ancient, arcane practices. For example, Thora’s “In the Shadow of Eormensyl” recounts Alfred’s encounter with a circle of druids who inscribe protective Ogham symbols on his sword, imbuing it with supposed magical properties to slay Viking berserkers. Here, Ogham becomes a tangible representation of the thin boundary between Alfred’s historical reality and the writer’s imagination.

The visual power of Ogham symbols also enhances the narratives’ aesthetic appeal. Items like talismans, weapons, and banners adorned with Ogham inscriptions signify not only character allegiances but also serve as plot devices that unlock hidden knowledge or grant supernatural protection. Such elements play a crucial role in differentiating Alfredian fanfiction from mainstream historical fiction, establishing it as a unique subgenre that combines historical accuracy with mythopoeic creativity.

Conclusions and Implications for Fanfiction Studies

The integration of Ogham and other Celtic elements into fanfiction concerning Alfred the Great underscores the genre’s capacity to reinterpret historical narratives through modern perspectives. This blending of historical fact and mythological fiction creates a layered storytelling approach that resonates with contemporary audiences while engaging with deeper themes of identity, cultural exchange, and resistance. Fanfiction authors use Ogham not merely as a decorative or exotic script but as a powerful symbol that encapsulates the tensions and synergies between Anglo-Saxon and Celtic worlds.

Furthermore, the focus on Ogham in Alfredian fanfiction reflects a broader trend within fan communities to explore overlooked or marginalised cultural heritages. By reviving Ogham and integrating it into narratives of power and conflict, these stories challenge conventional views of Alfred as a strictly Anglo-Saxon hero. Instead, he becomes a figure who straddles multiple cultural boundaries, engaging with a mythic past that extends beyond the scope of traditional historiography.

This research contributes to the understanding of fanfiction as a dynamic space for historical and cultural reinterpretation, where ancient scripts and symbols are reimagined in new, vibrant ways. Future studies could expand on this analysis by examining how Ogham and other Celtic elements are deployed in fanfiction concerning other historical periods and figures, exploring the continued relevance of these ancient motifs in shaping modern narratives.

Martine Mussies

References

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. https://doi.org/10.14746/scp.2023.8.2
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.