The wild boar, which goes by the cuddly scientific Latin name of Sus scrofa, was a native species to Britain and much of Europe. It was revered for its' ferocity, courage and fertility and features widely in northern European mythology, and appears as a symbol on archeological finds such as the Sutton Hoo helmet (on the ends of the eyebrows!). An example from Sweden is shown below:
The Norse god Freyr and his sister both rode wild boars, and three Roman legions adopted the wild boar as their emblem. Boewulf reports of the Anglo Saxons carrying a banner with a boars head design, and speaks of the animals decorative appearance on helmets:
"Boar shapes shone over the cheek guards adorned with gold, gleaming and fire hard; keeping guard of life, raging with warlike spirit."
Its' meat was highly prized and consequently it was hunted widely and probably became extinct in Britain in the thirteenth century. A boars head was a ceremonial dish eaten at the mid winter festival of Yuletide, and it was often served with an apple in its' mouth. Such was their value and prestige that the unlawful killing of boar was punished with blinding in the time of William the Conqueror.
"Boar shapes shone over the cheek guards adorned with gold, gleaming and fire hard; keeping guard of life, raging with warlike spirit."
Its' meat was highly prized and consequently it was hunted widely and probably became extinct in Britain in the thirteenth century. A boars head was a ceremonial dish eaten at the mid winter festival of Yuletide, and it was often served with an apple in its' mouth. Such was their value and prestige that the unlawful killing of boar was punished with blinding in the time of William the Conqueror.
Their status was celebrated by the 19th century Scottish poet Charles MacKay in his composition The Boar Hunter's Song:
"Let others chase the timid deer
O'er field or level moor,
We've a braver sport, and a nobler here,
To chase the mighty boar. "
The best known song featuring the animal is Bold Sir Rylas/Wild Hog in the Woods. The following excerpt gives some of the flavour:
"Well, he put his horn unto his mouth,
And he blew it east, north, west and south.
And the wild boar came out of his den,
Bringing his children nine or ten.
Then bold Sir Rylas the wild boar fell on,
And bold Sir Rylas the wild boar fell on.
Then he fought him three hours all the day
Until the boar would have run away."
You can listen to the full version by Spiers and Boden below:
"Let others chase the timid deer
O'er field or level moor,
We've a braver sport, and a nobler here,
To chase the mighty boar. "
The best known song featuring the animal is Bold Sir Rylas/Wild Hog in the Woods. The following excerpt gives some of the flavour:
"Well, he put his horn unto his mouth,
And he blew it east, north, west and south.
And the wild boar came out of his den,
Bringing his children nine or ten.
Then bold Sir Rylas the wild boar fell on,
And bold Sir Rylas the wild boar fell on.
Then he fought him three hours all the day
Until the boar would have run away."
You can listen to the full version by Spiers and Boden below:
The image used on the t shirt is based on a Pictish carving from the 7th century found on a stone in Invernesshire. There is a particular concentration of such monuments along the east coast of Scotland completed between the 6th and 9th centuries. The carvings are often expressed through a distictive symobolism. You can find out more about the Picts and their art here:
http://www.pictishstones.org.uk
Significant numbers of boar escapees from farms since the 1990's have resulted in new populations establishing themselves in a number of locations throughout Britain. Their return is controversial, but their presence in woodland settings in particular may bring ecological benefits as they root among the forest floor. Rewilding Britain describes them as living here "unofficially"! If UKIP find out they re doomed, but it looks like the wild boar is back for now at least!
http://www.pictishstones.org.uk
Significant numbers of boar escapees from farms since the 1990's have resulted in new populations establishing themselves in a number of locations throughout Britain. Their return is controversial, but their presence in woodland settings in particular may bring ecological benefits as they root among the forest floor. Rewilding Britain describes them as living here "unofficially"! If UKIP find out they re doomed, but it looks like the wild boar is back for now at least!
