Fenodyree
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Sometimes used as a proper name and sometimes as the name of a class of beings, the fenodyree is like a brownie, hob, or sprite in English folklore, particular around the Isle of Man. Other spellings include Phynodderee, Phynnodderee, Fynnoderee or Fenoderee or even Yn Foldyr Gastey, which means "the Nimble Mower." He is small and hairy, particularly around the legs, almost like a small satyr. "Fenodyree" is in fact the term used for "satyr" in the 1819 Manx version of the Bible (Isaiah 35:14).[1]
They are also said to be ferrishyn whose appearances were changed as punishment for falling in love with a human girl and thus missing the revelries held by his own kind.
The fynnoderee, like brownies, worked very hard from dusk to dawn at agricultural tasks, such as herding, mowing, reaping and threshing. His only payment was in food and drink at the farm and would serve the farmer loyally until his employer decided to give the fenodyree some clothing. In one version of the tale, the clothing was not good enough and the fenodyree left in a huff; in another, it transpired that the brownie believed clothing unhealthy and a cause of disease so, again, left in a huff.
Fenodyree is also character in The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (Alan Garner), a young-adult fantasy set in Alderley Edge in Cheshire.
[edit] References
- Evans-Wentz, W.Y. The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries. 1911
- MacKillop, James. A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford University Press:2004.]
- Rhys, John. Celtic Folklore: Welsh And Manx. 1901.
