The Journey of Thomas the Rhymer

Llandogo, Monmouthshire, UK: Old Stile Press, 2000. First, Limited Edition. Fine. 4to, 11 x 8 5/8" (280 x 220mm); 44 pp. printed on Zerkall mould-made paper and set in Van Dijck type, with 19 wood engravings and 3 linocut borders printed from original blocks in sepia and three different tones of black. Casebound in light green paper with designs by the artist; gilt spine titling; scarlet end-papers. Blue cloth slipcase, incorporating label printed with "Four Seasons" engravings. Bound by The Fine Bindery, Wellingborough. Limited edition of 220 numbered copies of which this is no. 128, SIGNED by the AUTHOR.

[McDowall & Campbell p. 22-25]. Thomas the Rhymer, also known as Thomas of Erceldoune, was a real person who lived in the 13th century. While wandering alone in the forest lands of Melrose Abbey, Roxburghshire, Thomas saw a beautiful lady riding on a palfrey. He took her to be the Queen of Heaven. She denies it and tells him she is from 'another country'. She is, rather, the Queen of the Fairies.There follows an otherworld journey which he related in a visionary poem that has come down to us in various ballad forms and also in several romance-prophecies dating from the fifteenth century. A later version of one of these is the text used here as we follow Thomas's request for love, their eventual love-making and many adventures before they have to part at the Eildon Tree - but not before the Lady has given him the gift of truth, after which he is known as True Thomas. This mysterious, compelling and exciting story still seems to have a hold on our psyches - the transforming powers of the hidden muse are very much alive. Apart from the glowingly mystical engravings that Angela Lemaire has made for this edition, her fascinating Afterword is seeded with an earlier set of engravings depicting the twelve months.