Was Scotsman Robert Kirk getting too close to faerie folklore? Did he die because of his book about the fae? What does this legendary book contain?
Robert Kirk’s The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies is a classic in the field of folklore and occult studies, particularly as it pertains to the fairy folk, also known as the Good People in Celtic cultures. Written in the late 17th century but not released until the 19th, this outstanding work offers a rare and priceless window into the social mores and religious practices of the period. This essay will explore Robert Kirk’s biography, The Secret Commonwealth’s content and analysis, the film’s lasting significance, and the mystery surrounding Kirk’s premature passing.
Biography
Robert Kirk was the seventh child born in 1644 to James Kirk, the minister of Aberfoyle. He received his education at the Universities of Edinburgh and St. Andrews. Following in his father’s footsteps, he completed his schooling and became a priest, initially serving in Balquhidder before relocating to Aberfoyle, the old parish of his father.
Kirk was both a scholar and a minister. His translation of the Bible into Gaelic is well known, and the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge recognized him for this achievement. However, his academic interests extended beyond Christian literature. He wrote The Secret Commonwealth due to his fascination with the supernatural beliefs held by his parishioners and the local mythology.
The Book
A unique work, The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies is a synthesis of hearsay, observation, and Kirk’s own intellectual speculations. It presents a striking image of a parallel universe where magical creatures coexist with humans and engage in a variety of interactions that can be advantageous or harmful.
Kirk has gathered firsthand tales and anecdotes to support the existence of the fairy race, which is the goal of the Secret Commonwealth. Three sections divide the book: the second explores fairy abductions of people, the third focuses on second sight and prophecy, and the first narrates the subterranean inhabitants.
In the first section, Kirk delves deeply into the traits, disposition, way of life, and skills of fairies. He said that fairies were underground dwellers in a different realm that occasionally interacted with the human world. Kirk listed the many kinds of fairies and said that they had armies, kings, and nobles. According to him, fairies had the ability to fly, appear and disappear at will, foretell the future, and even read minds.
The second section covers tales of terrifying fairy abductions. Kirk claimed for years that fairies would transport humans to a place known as fairyland. Upon their return to the human world, these kidnapped individuals showed no signs of aging and barely remembered their disappearance. Kirk believed that the fairies had abducted his own ministerial predecessor.
The third portion discusses second sight, or the ability to anticipate and see what will happen in the future. According to Kirk, he had the gift of second sight, which enabled him to learn about the fairy race. He offered second-sight reports from Highlanders in Scotland as further evidence of fairies.
According to Kirk, these creatures—fairies—are metaphysical beings with the power to influence the material world. They live on middle ground, neither fully spiritual nor fully physical. The governmental structure, vocations, and cultural practices of their villages mirror those of human cultures. According to Kirk’s descriptions, there exists a complicated symbiosis between the human and fairy realms, where one has a subtle and not-so-subtle influence on the other.
The book also delves into the interactions between humans and these entities, narrating stories of individuals who, either willingly or through magical means, found themselves residing in the realm of fairies. One could interpret these narratives as an attempt to explain away a variety of social and individual tragedies, such as abductions and unplanned births.
Influence
During Kirk’s lifetime, The Secret Commonwealth remained relatively unknown until its publication in the 19th century. Since its release, researchers of fairy folklore have heavily relied on it. It is an unmatched resource for folklorists and cultural historians due to its thorough description of fairy beliefs in 17th-century Scotland.
Furthermore, the book’s influence extends well beyond the scholarly community. Its vivid descriptions have impacted generations of authors and painters, inspiring them to develop their own depictions of the fairy realm.
People still regard it as a foundational work on Scottish folklore and the early modern era’s belief in fairies. Later scholars such as Walter Scott and WB Yeats commended Kirk’s collections for their impact and influence. Some historians even credit Kirk’s popularization of medieval mystical ideas with indirectly igniting the Romantic movement. His differentiation between fairies and devils contradicted traditional church beliefs. The book’s enduring influence indicates that Kirk captured a genuine folklore custom centered around fairies that continues to captivate contemporary readers.
Kirk’s Strange End
The circumstances surrounding Robert Kirk’s passing have given his legacy even more mystery. In 1692, Kirk passed away unexpectedly while strolling on the fairy hill close to Aberfoyle. According to local mythology, the fairies chose to welcome Kirk into their realm because they were angry with him for disclosing their secrets. According to legend, Kirk’s body was only a stock or duplicate that the fairies left behind; the actual Kirk continued to exist in the fairy realm.
The story that Kirk told a relative in a dream after his death, implying that he was not dead but rather a prisoner in the fairy world, has further romanticized this tale. The only way to ensure his freedom was to perform a complex ritual during his posthumous child’s baptism. Kirk, however, stays in the world of fairies, since the relative was apparently too shocked to carry out the ceremony.
Conclusion
Robert Kirk’s The Secret Commonwealth, which provides a rare and thorough account of 17th-century Scottish ideas about fairies, is still a crucial resource in the study of folklore. It has a profound impact on literature and popular culture, in addition to academia. The enigmatic circumstances surrounding Kirk’s death, which link the author’s destiny to the otherworldly world he wrote about, have heightened the book’s mystery. Whether viewed as a historical record, an early work of fantasy, or a window into an unknown realm, The Secret Commonwealth continues to captivate and enthrall readers over three centuries after its composition.
References
Briggs, K. M. (1967). The fairies in tradition and literature. Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Briggs, K. M. (1976). An encyclopedia of fairies: Hobgoblins, brownies, bogies, and other supernatural creatures. Pantheon.
Evans-Wentz, W. Y. (1911). The fairy-faith in Celtic countries. Oxford University Press.
Kirk, R. (1893). The secret commonwealth of elves, fauns & fairies (A. Lang, Ed.). David Nutt. (Original work written 1691)
Silver, C. (1999). Strange and secret peoples: Fairies and Victorian consciousness. Oxford University Press.
Leave a Reply