Tamlane
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Janet loved Tamlane very much. They were young. They would marry soon. But Tamlane went away. He was gone. No one knew why.
Janet went to the woods. People said, "Do not go there!" She walked alone. Tamlane was there. She saw him.
"The Elf Queen took me," Tamlane said. "I am her knight now. I live in Elfland. It is a strange place."
"Soon I will be lost forever. The Elf Queen will take me away. I cannot stop it. I am very sad."
"Go to Miles Cross. Go there at night. It is Halloween night. Bring special water with you. You can save me from Elfland."
"You will see many elves. They will ride by. Look for me closely. I ride a white horse. I have a star on my head. My right hand has a glove. My left hand is bare. You will know it is me."
"Hold me tight. I will change many times. Do not let go. Hold me. I will be a hot stick. Throw me in the water."
"Then I will be a man. Cover me with your green blanket. Then I am free. I will be yours forever. We can be together."
Janet was very brave. She went to Miles Cross. It was Halloween night. She had special water. She stood there alone. She waited for Tamlane.
Janet looked and waited. She saw Tamlane. He was on a white horse. He rode by the Elf Queen.
Janet ran to him. She pulled him down. She held him very tight. He was cold ice. He was hot fire. He was a long snake. He was a small bird. She held him tight.
He became a hot stick. It was very hot. Janet put it in water. He was a man again. He was safe.
Janet put her green blanket on him. Tamlane was free. He was safe now. He was back with Janet.
The Elf Queen was very angry. She lost Tamlane. She said, "Oh no! He is gone."
Janet and Tamlane went home. They were very happy. They got married soon. They lived a good life together.
Janet's love and courage saved Tamlane. They were very happy! Janet and Tamlane lived happily ever after, all thanks to Janet's brave heart.
Original Story
Tamlane
Young Tamlane was son of Earl Murray, and Burd Janet was daughter of Dunbar, Earl of March. And when they were young they loved one another and plighted their troth. But when the time came near for their marrying, Tamlane disappeared, and none knew what had become of him.
Many, many days after he had disappeared, Burd Janet was wandering in Carterhaugh Wood, though she had been warned not to go there. And as she wandered she plucked the flowers from the bushes. She came at last to a bush of broom and began plucking it. She had not taken more than three flowerets when by her side up started young Tamlane.
"Where come ye from, Tamlane, Tamlane?" Burd Janet said; "and why have you been away so long?"
"From Elfland I come," said young Tamlane. "The Queen of Elfland has made me her knight."
"But how did you get there, Tamlane?" said Burd Janet.
"I was hunting one day, and as I rode widershins round yon hill, a deep drowsiness fell upon me, and when I awoke, behold! I was in Elfland. Fair is that land and gay, and fain would I stop but for thee and one other thing. Every seven years the Elves pay their tithe to the Nether world, and for all the Queen makes much of me, I fear it is myself that will be the tithe."
"Oh can you not be saved? Tell me if aught I can do will save you, Tamlane?"
"One only thing is there for my safety. To-morrow night is Hallowe'en, and the fairy court will then ride through England and Scotland, and if you would borrow me from Elfland you must take your stand by Miles Cross between twelve and one o' the night, and with holy water in your hand you must cast a compass all around you."
"But how shall I know you, Tamlane?" quoth Burd Janet, "amid so many knights I've ne'er seen before?"
"The first court of Elves that come by let pass. The next court you shall pay reverence to, but do naught nor say aught. But the third court that comes by is the chief court of them, and at the head rides the Queen of all Elfland. And I shall ride by her side upon a milk-white steed with a star in my crown; they give me this honour as being a christened knight. Watch my hands, Janet, the right one will be gloved but the left one will be bare, and by that token you will know me."
"But how to save you, Tamlane?" quoth Burd Janet.
"You must spring upon me suddenly, and I will fall to the ground. Then seize me quick, and whatever change befall me, for they will exercise all their magic on me, cling hold to me till they turn me into red-hot iron. Then cast me into this pool and I will be turned back into a mother-naked man. Cast then your green mantle over me, and I shall be yours, and be of the world again."
So Burd Janet promised to do all for Tamlane, and next night at midnight she took her stand by Miles Cross and cast a compass round her with holy water.
Soon there came riding by the Elfin court, first over the mound went a troop on black steeds, and then another troop on brown. But in the third court, all on milk-white steeds, she saw the Queen of Elfland, and by her side a knight with a star in his crown, with right hand gloved and the left bare. Then she knew this was her own Tamlane, and springing forward she seized the bridle of the milk-white steed and pulled its rider down. And as soon as he had touched the ground she let go the bridle and seized him in her arms.
"He's won, he's won amongst us all," shrieked out the eldritch crew, and all came around her and tried their spells on young Tamlane.
First they turned him in Janet's arms like frozen ice, then into a huge flame of roaring fire. Then, again, the fire vanished and an adder was skipping through her arms, but still she held on; and then they turned him into a snake that reared up as if to bite her, and yet she held on. Then suddenly a dove was struggling in her arms, and almost flew away. Then they turned him into a swan, but all was in vain, till at last he was turned into a red-hot glaive, and this she cast into a well of water and then he turned back into a mother-naked man. She quickly cast her green mantle over him, and young Tamlane was Burd Janet's for ever.
Then sang the Queen of Elfland as the court turned away and began to resume its march:
"She that has borrowed young Tamlane
Has gotten a stately groom,
She's taken away my bonniest knight,
Left nothing in his room.
"But had I known, Tamlane, Tamlane,
A lady would borrow thee,
I'd hae ta'en out thy two grey eyne,
Put in two eyne of tree.
"Had I but known, Tamlane, Tamlane,
Before we came from home,
I'd hae ta'en out thy heart o' flesh,
Put in a heart of stone.
"Had I but had the wit yestreen
That I have got to-day,
I'd paid the Fiend seven times his teind
Ere you'd been won away."
And then the Elfin court rode away, and Burd Janet and young Tamlane went their way homewards and were soon after married after young Tamlane had again been sained by the holy water and made Christian once more.
Story DNA
Moral
True love and unwavering courage can overcome even the most powerful enchantments.
Plot Summary
Young lovers Burd Janet and Tamlane are separated when Tamlane is taken by the Queen of Elfland. Years later, Janet finds him in Carterhaugh Wood, where he reveals he is destined to be the Elves' sacrifice to the Netherworld on Hallowe'en. Tamlane instructs Janet to wait at Miles Cross, identify him in the Elfin procession, and hold him through a series of terrifying magical transformations. Janet bravely follows his instructions, enduring the ordeal until Tamlane is freed, and they return home to be married.
Themes
Emotional Arc
separation and fear to reunion and triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This ballad is one of the Child Ballads (Child 39), collected from Scottish oral tradition. It reflects ancient Celtic beliefs about the fairy realm and its dangers, particularly around specific liminal times like Hallowe'en.
Plot Beats (15)
- Burd Janet and Tamlane are young lovers betrothed to be married, but Tamlane mysteriously vanishes.
- Despite warnings, Burd Janet wanders into Carterhaugh Wood and, while plucking flowers, Tamlane appears.
- Tamlane reveals he was taken to Elfland after riding 'widershins' and is now the Queen of Elfland's knight.
- He explains that every seven years, the Elves pay a tithe to the Netherworld, and he fears he will be the next sacrifice.
- Tamlane instructs Janet to wait at Miles Cross on Hallowe'en night between midnight and one, with holy water, to intercept the Elfin court.
- He tells her to let the first two courts pass and to identify him in the third court by his milk-white steed, star in his crown, and his gloved right hand and bare left hand.
- Tamlane warns Janet that she must seize him and hold him through a series of magical transformations until he becomes a red-hot iron, which she must then cast into a pool.
- He explains that after being cast into the pool, he will revert to a naked man, and she must cover him with her green mantle to complete the rescue.
- Burd Janet follows the instructions, taking her stand at Miles Cross with holy water on Hallowe'en night.
- She observes the first two Elfin courts pass and then identifies Tamlane in the third court, riding beside the Queen.
- Janet springs forward, pulls Tamlane from his horse, and holds him firmly as he transforms through ice, fire, an adder, a snake, a dove, and a swan.
- Finally, he turns into a red-hot glaive, which she casts into a well, and he becomes a naked man.
- Janet quickly covers him with her green mantle, securing his freedom from Elfland.
- The Queen of Elfland expresses her bitter regret and anger at losing Tamlane, wishing she had disfigured him to prevent his rescue.
- Burd Janet and Tamlane return home, he is sained with holy water, and they are soon married.
Characters
Burd Janet
Slender and graceful, with the delicate features often attributed to noblewomen of the Scottish Lowlands. Her build is strong enough to hold onto Tamlane through his transformations.
Attire: When wandering in Carterhaugh Wood, she would wear practical but well-made attire suitable for a noblewoman, such as a kirtle or gown of wool or linen, possibly with a simple overdress. For the rescue, she would likely wear a sturdy, perhaps dark-colored, gown that allows for movement, and crucially, a 'green mantle' which she uses to cover Tamlane.
Wants: To rescue her beloved Tamlane from Elfland and marry him.
Flaw: Her deep love for Tamlane makes her vulnerable to the dangers of Elfland, but it also fuels her strength.
Transforms from a grieving, wandering maiden into a heroic figure who defies the Queen of Elfland to save her love, ultimately securing her future with Tamlane.
Determined, courageous, loyal, loving, resourceful.
Tamlane
A stately and handsome young man, befitting the son of an Earl and a knight of the Elf Queen. His build is athletic, capable of riding and hunting.
Attire: As a knight of Elfland, he wears attire that is both regal and otherworldly. He rides a milk-white steed and wears a crown with a star. His right hand is gloved, but his left is bare as a distinguishing mark. His clothing, though not explicitly detailed, would be of fine, perhaps shimmering, fabric, reflecting his status in Elfland.
Wants: To escape Elfland and return to the human world and his beloved Janet, avoiding being the 'tithe' to the Nether world.
Flaw: His enchantment by the Queen of Elfland, rendering him powerless to save himself.
Begins as a lost and enchanted knight, facing a grim fate. Through Janet's actions, he is transformed back into a human, freed from enchantment, and reunited with his love, becoming 'sained' and Christian once more.
Honorable, trapped, longing for freedom, brave (in his instructions to Janet).
Queen of Elfland
Possesses an ethereal and captivating beauty, characteristic of a powerful fairy queen. She is likely slender and graceful, with an otherworldly presence.
Attire: Regal and enchanting, made of fine, shimmering fabrics in colors like deep green, silver, or midnight blue, adorned with jewels or intricate patterns. Her attire would be distinctly magical and not of the human world, perhaps with a flowing train or intricate headpiece.
Wants: To maintain her power and keep Tamlane as her knight, and to exact revenge or express her displeasure when her will is defied.
Flaw: Her inability to directly interfere with Burd Janet's actions once the ritual is begun, and her ultimate powerlessness against true love and human determination.
Remains unchanged in her nature, but is ultimately thwarted in her desire to keep Tamlane, leading to her bitter lament.
Possessive, powerful, vengeful (when thwarted), ancient, beautiful, cruel.
Locations
Carterhaugh Wood
A dense, ancient Scottish woodland, likely with a mix of deciduous trees like oak, birch, and hazel, and undergrowth of bushes. The ground would be uneven, covered with fallen leaves and moss. Sunlight would filter through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air is cool and still.
Mood: Mysterious, slightly foreboding due to warnings, but also serene and natural.
Burd Janet wanders here, plucks flowers, and encounters Tamlane for the first time since his disappearance, learning of his plight in Elfland.
Miles Cross
A desolate, open moorland or crossroads in the Scottish Borders, marked by an ancient stone cross, possibly weathered and moss-covered. The ground is rough, perhaps boggy in places, with sparse, tough grasses and heather. The sky is dark and star-filled, with a sliver of moon, illuminated only by the faint glow of the passing fairy court.
Mood: Eerie, tense, magical, and dangerous, charged with anticipation.
Burd Janet stands vigil here on Hallowe'en night, confronts the Elfin court, and rescues Tamlane through a series of magical transformations.
Well of Water at Miles Cross
A small, natural pool or well, likely fed by a spring, situated on the moorland near Miles Cross. Its surface would reflect the dark night sky. The water is cold and clear, surrounded by rough stones or earth. It serves as the final element in Tamlane's transformation.
Mood: Crucial, climactic, a place of final transformation and salvation.
Burd Janet casts the red-hot glaive (Tamlane) into this well, completing his return to human form.