Return ye Haegtesse

Introduction

This poem employs the somewhat unusual construct of invoking a lesser known Anglo-Saxon mythical group to come to our aid and help defeat the fungus killing our ash trees (chalara dieback).

The Haegtesse were wild, armed supernatural women riding out in a group and causing harm havoc and mayhem! But were also known to help warriors on the battlefield and hinder others.

These Supernatural cavalcades rode loudly over the landscape.

They were also referred to as ‘ða (tha) mihtigan wif’ (the mighty women) and were seen as a cavalcade of riding women shooting its victims.in some documents the word Haegtesse was used as a scan for Wælcyrige, sometimesthe term ‘shield-maidens’ was employed.

From the word Haegtesse we also derive the word 'hag' used in Saxon times to describe a witch.

Return ye Haegtesse

Ye powerful hags, of the Saxon hills,

Rid our ashes of, their terrible ills.

I doth here invoke, and call upon ye,

Ye hags rough ride out, return and help me.

Oh thou cavalcade, of women riding,

Awful shield-maidens, the battle deciding.

Defend our ashes, from fungal attack,

Help us overthrow, chalara dieback.

Tha mihtigan wif, return to us now,

Dreadful Wælcyrige, protect sacred bough.

With ragged garments, and thine linden shield,

Like devils ride out, on tree battle field.

Oh ye Haegtesse, with helmets on head,

Fill our enemies, with thine battle dread.

Ride ye loudly through, fair forests again,

Through heathen sky come, cast out the profane.

May din of thine spears, force fungus to flea,

Thunor's magic spear, from ash the world tree.

Females from beyond, return to help me,

May all sacred ashes, be fungal free!

Copyright Andrew Rea March 2013