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Aerten
A Brythonic god, also known as Aerfen: Renowned in Battle
This deity is known from legends of a shrine to her at Glyndyfrdwy on the river Dee and she is a battle goddess, probably cognate with the Irish Morrigan. |
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Bryth: Renowned in Battle
Aerten (also known as Aerfen) is goddess of fate, whose name is derived from the proto-Celtic (and Cymric) aer (battle) and literally means ‘Renowned in Battle’. She had a shrine at Glyndyfrdwy on the river Dee and according to legend presided over the outcome of wars.
Cymric legend tells of her being invoked during the struggles between the native Cymry (Welsh) and the Anglo-Saxon invaders and, according to local legend, three human sacrifices had to be drowned in the river near her shrine to ensure success in any battles to come.
In former times Aerfen has been equated with the classical Fates (as all Celtic deities had to have a Roman counterpart). In truth, however, it's probably more accurate to equate her with the Irish Morrigan. Herself a deity of battle fates.
If you would like to try the foods of the time of the ancient Celts, then why not have a look at the ancient recipes section of this site. For the foods of the time when some of these tales were written down, take a look at the Medieval recipes section of the site and, in particular, the recipes from The Forme of Cury.
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