Story Summary
Discover the legend of Tam Lin, a brave knight held by the Queen of Fairies. Follow Janet’s quest to rescue her love through courage and a magical transformation.
Young Janet was warned never to enter the forbidden woods of Carterhaugh, for the knight Tam Lin collected a toll from any maiden who passed. Defiant and curious, Janet went and plucked a double rose, summoning the mysterious guardian. To her surprise, she found not a monster but a mortal knight who revealed he had been captured by the Queen of Fairies years ago. Tam Lin confessed a dark secret: every seven years, the fairies paid a teind, or tithe, to Hell, and he feared he was to be the next sacrifice on Halloween. He told Janet that she alone could save him. She must wait at Miles Cross on all-hallows eve and pull him from his white horse as the fairy cavalcade passed. He warned her that the Queen would transform him into many terrifying forms—an adder, a lion, and even red-hot iron—to force her to let go. That night, Janet stood her ground. She seized Tam Lin and held him tightly through every agonizing change. When he finally turned into a naked knight, she wrapped him in her green mantle, shielding him from the supernatural realm. The Queen of Fairies shrieked in fury at losing her favorite thrall, but Janet’s unwavering courage had broken the spell forever.
The Moral
True love requires the courage to hold on through the most frightening transformations and the strength to face one's fears for another.
“I'll never let go of my true love, though he turn to fire in my arms.”
Fun Fact
The ballad of Tam Lin is one of the most famous 'Border Ballads' and has been adapted into numerous modern fantasy novels and folk songs by artists like Fairport Convention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Tam Lin?
The story teaches that true love demands absolute commitment and courage. Janet must endure fear and physical pain to save the person she loves, showing that faith can overcome even the darkest magic.
Who is Tam Lin in Scottish mythology?
Tam Lin is a legendary figure, often described as a mortal knight or nobleman who was kidnapped by the Queen of Fairies and forced to guard the woods of Carterhaugh.
What happens during the Halloween ride in the story?
On Halloween, the fairy court moves in a grand procession. This is the only time a captive mortal like Tam Lin can be rescued, but it is also when the fairies pay their tithe to Hell.
Why did Janet have to hold Tam Lin as he changed shapes?
The shape-shifting was a magical defense used by the Fairy Queen to frighten Janet into letting go. If Janet had released him during any of the terrifying forms, Tam Lin would have been lost to the fairy realm forever.
What is the significance of the teind or tithe in the legend?
The teind is a tax the fairy realm must pay to Hell every seven years. Tam Lin feared he would be the sacrifice, which drives the urgency of Janet's rescue mission.
How did Janet successfully rescue Tam Lin?
Janet pulled him from his horse at Miles Cross and held him fast through various transformations. Once he turned into a naked knight, she covered him with her mantle to claim him for the mortal world.