Maiden Mother Mage

Written by Rebecca Sharp. A performance of three interweaving poetic monologues, with music: three versions of Thaney, later known as St Teneu / Tenew, or St Enoch. Supported by Creative Scotland.

Thaney was a 6th century CE Brittonic princess, daughter of Leudonis or King Lot at Traprain Law in the Kingdom of Gododdin (Lothian). She holds many stories, connecting her to pagan and Druidic roots, and to Arthurian legend - but never in her own words. Cherished by many, today she is venerated in the Christian faith as Saint Teneu or Thaney, Protector of the Abused; and as St Enoch of Glasgow, mother of St Mungo.

According to legend, Thaney was assaulted aged seventeen and, discovering she was pregnant, was thrown from Traprain Law as punishment, either by her father or upon his orders. She survived the fall to be punished a second time (some say was accused of witchcraft), placed in an oarless boat and set into the Firth of Forth at Aberlady Bay. She again survived to wash ashore at Culross in Fife, where she was taken in by St Serf, founder of an early church (later the site of Culross Abbey). There she had her son, Kentigern / Mungo, who would go on to found the city of Glasgow.

There have been varying claims to her story over the centuries: Thaney enters myth, both human being and story-bearer. Fact grows indiscernible from fiction, and Thaney holds the space between.

We wonder what role she would choose for herself now, as she rises during times of violence and abuses of power.

We meet her here in triple form: as MAIDEN (exiled girl of seventeen), MOTHER (of Mungo and other creations), and MAGE (shaman, abbess, Cailleach).

Giving voice to the outcast and voiceless, Thaney shows us how we might repair divisions that were cast upon us all so long ago.

Ticket prices

• Standard: £10.00 / £15.00
• Concession: £7.00

Image © Frances Law