The name 'barrow-wight' probably invokes the terrifying scene of being trapped in the barrow-downs, inside of a barrow -- or burial mound. The malevolent barrow-wights (the deadly spirits who dwell inside their mounds) attempt to kill you and your friends!

So, if we dissect term 'barrow-wight' then we get 'barrow' which is the above mentioned type of burial, also called a tumulus,... used typically in early civilizations. There are Viking burial mounds across Europe as well as Roman ones. The word 'wight' is Middle English for 'being' so you get 'Burial mound being.' And that is exactly what a barrow-wight is . . . well, depending upon whose folklore you're using.
Early British Isles folklore tell tales of barrow-wights as ghosts who haunt their tombs, keeping watch over the treasures that were buried with them. Jealously, they guard their items and will attack and kill anyone who attempts to rob the grave.

In Viking tales, the barrow-wights are shadowy creatures who guard the burial mounds of the Viking heroes. And like their English-counter parts, tales of these kinds of barrow-wights were probably just another way to deter grave robbers, much like curses written on the doors of ancient mummy burial sites in Egypt. Hervor, the daughter of a great viking warrior, faced the barrow-wights to claim her father's enchanted sword for her own. You can read her story here.

In Icelandic folklore, however, the barrow-wight is almost a zombie-vampire sort of creature which they called a 'draugr.' A draugr is a re-animated corpse who can leave his grave. Some have an insatiable hunger, believing that if they consume enough life, then they too can recover their own life energy. Savagely attacked livestock were often blamed on the draugr. Draugr could also take revenge on those who killed him or took his treasures by sitting on the chest of his sleeping victim, slowly suffocating him to death. One famous Icelandic Saga, tells the story of a warrior, Asmund, who watches over the corpse of his sword-brother, only to realize that his fallen friend has become a Draugr. You can read about it here. What I find fascinating is that the symptoms of draugrs are very similar -- if not identical -- to the earliest tales of vampires. I wonder what connections there are between barrow-wights and vampires (and I don't mean the sparkling vegetarian kind).

http://samanthakymmell-harvey.blogspot.com/2012/03/celtic-creatures-primer-3-barrow-wight.html
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Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries had its humble beginnings as an idea of a few artisans and craftsmen who enjoy performing with live steel fighting. As well as a patchwork quilt tent canvas. Most had prior military experience hence the name.

 

Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries.

 

Vendertainers that brought many things to a show and are know for helping out where ever they can.

As well as being a place where the older hand made items could be found made by them and enjoyed by all.

We expanded over the years to become well known at what we do. Now we represent over 100 artisans and craftsman that are well known in their venues and some just starting out. Some of their works have been premiered in TV, stage and movies on a regular basis.

Specializing in Medieval, Goth , Stage Film, BDFSM and Practitioner.

Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries a Dept of, Ask For IT was started by artists and former military veterans, and sword fighters, representing over 100 artisans, one who made his living traveling from fair to festival vending medieval wares. The majority of his customers are re-enactors, SCAdians and the like, looking to build their kit with period clothing, feast gear, adornments, etc.

Likewise, it is typical for these history-lovers to peruse the tent (aka mobile store front) and, upon finding something that pleases the eye, ask "Is this period?"

A deceitful query!! This is not a yes or no question. One must have a damn good understanding of European history (at least) from the fall of Rome to the mid-1600's to properly answer. Taking into account, also, the culture in which the querent is dressed is vitally important. You see, though it may be well within medieval period, it would be strange to see a Viking wearing a Caftan...or is it?

After a festival's time of answering weighty questions such as these, I'd sleep like a log! Only a mad man could possibly remember the place and time for each piece of kitchen ware, weaponry, cloth, and chain within a span of 1,000 years!! Surely there must be an easier way, a place where he could post all this knowledge...

Traveling Within The World is meant to be such a place. A place for all of these artists to keep in touch and directly interact with their fellow geeks and re-enactment hobbyists, their clientele.

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