Flo's History

  Great Britain was formed of many lesser nations brought (read conquered) together by Wessex, one of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. However, what about the other six kingdoms that shared the island? Technically speaking, they weren't precisely seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms (also known as Heptarchy) as sub-kingdoms, and political division existed. For the sake of convenience, they are referred to as Mercia, East-Anglia, Essex, Kent, Sussex, and the one that interests us today, Northumbria. Northumbria came into existence around the year 654, when the smaller kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira unified. Both countries were often at odds, most likely over territorial disputes, but were first brought together by Aethelfrith, a king of Bernicia. The details of how he succeeded in unifying them aren't known. However, we do know that around the year 604, he managed to exile the current king of Deira, Edwin, to the court of King Raedwald of Eats-Anglia. This marked the unification of both countrie...

  If Disney movies and other fairy tales taught us one thing, it is that fairies are all nice and good-hearted creatures, right? WRONG! Folklore fairies are anything but innocent candies, and here is an example of one: Leanan Sidhe, which can be compared to a femme fatale. Leanan Sidhe are fairies on the eviller side of the spectrum. They are notorious in Irish Mythology for tormenting artists, writers and other creators. Using their shapeshifting ability, they approach them and transform into their dream partner to seduce them. Once they capture the heart of their chosen lover, the Aos Si (Celtic fairies, specifically the Celtic Briton) gift them with great inspiration and creativity. Faithfull, she will remain with her lover until he dies, being the mortal of the couple. This may sound all nice and romantic until you realize that the man in question got the short end of the stick. You see, the Leanan Sidhe are like that obnoxious girlfriend that can’t stand that you are not think...