Albion T. Nott (magistravitae) wrote in thebreach, @ 2010-07-28 20:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! media, ! media: warlock at war, [1980-07] july, albion nott |
Warlock at War; August 1980 Issue
Letters. p. 12
"A Defence of the usefulness of Muggle-borns", p. 14
"British families during the Goblin War: Pure-blood dynasty and the legacy of magic", p. 22
Celebrating Ambrosius: Today and Yesterday
Albion Nott Nearly 100 years before the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy would be officially established, the witches and wizards of sixteenth century Britain lived in a world that was neither theirs, nor the Muggles. Some witches and wizards lived openly among Muggles in villages that were small and primarily family members past or future, others lived more fearfully, as rumours of persecution from Muggles in other European countries began to make their way throughout this country. Admittedly persecutions from Muggles was not a new idea even at this date. Hengist of Woodcroft had founded Hogsmeade village around 1000 as he sought relief from Muggles in his own village1. Missives from Germany, France, and Denmark circulated within the Wizarding periodicals of this time. A letter from D. L’Strange to the then weekly Prophet in 1556 noted: “The gathering of many Muggles in Eze (France) was nearly one thousand fold. Three Muggles, and two Witches sat together in the stocks and when the Muggles rushed them it was as one movement. Only one of our sisters escaped the holy terror of this mad throng.” 2 During the mid-sixteenth century that Hogsmeade began to become the village we would recognize today, as Witches and Wizards around the Wizarding World, noting the new ferocity of Muggle prejudices, began to seek to establish their own havens of safety. A reading of journals and diaries from this time provides a picture of the uncertainty and difficulties those who attempted to live among Muggles were to face. “Hogsmeade is a breath of fresh air,” writes Agnes Middleapple to her mother who remained in London. “Simple things like a scourgify on the chair outside the cottage and I no longer fear retribution -- either desiring me to take on their daily tasks for them or the far worse option.” 3 It was into this period that the first celebration of the Day Of Ambrosius was to come. In 1572, then mayor of Hogsmeade, Goliath Spidersnort recommended a “Day to remember the great Wizards of our Past as a way of celebrating the future we will have together.” This celebration was to become a yearly event -- celebrated upon the fabled birthdate of the wizard Merlin, and within five years it had become known among Hogsmeade folk as the Day of Ambrosius. Within ten years it was celebrated within wizarding homes across the United Kingdom with a focus not only on festivities, but upon remembering the great wizards of the past. The costumes so familiar and beloved of those celebrating Ambrosius today were not introduced until nearly thirty years later in 1592. The Day of Ambrosius fell only two months after what were known as the North Berwick witch trials4, when a half dozen witches along with many Muggles were blamed for the misfortunes of the Muggle King. Galahad of Hogsmeade, recommended to the Hogsmeade council, that by way of tribute and a reminder that for the good of both Muggle and Magical it was necessary to hide ourselves from the greater Muggle population, the masks be worn throughout the celebrations that year. These masks were to be the beginning of the costume tradition, which became reality in 1640 during the full day festival and accompanying performance of Merlyn Ambrosius, also in Hogsmeade. For those of us in recent history, our own emotions towards the Day of Ambrosius may not be so very dissimilar as those who were alive during the first celebrations. For many of us the events of August 1974 remain fresh in our memory and we fear those who might destroy our history and our world. And yet they can destroy only what we allow for them to destroy. The meaning of the Day of Ambrosius, both the magical ability of the Wizard it celebrates and the perseverance of Magical Britain, remains so long as there are men and women of courage and conviction within our government and our neighbourhoods. As you celebrate this year, remember your past, and ask what you may do to build a prosperous future for yourselves and for your children.
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