Episodes
Whatever texts David Robertson was using to compile his 'A Review of the Manks History' in 1794, he seems to have got his timelines in a muddle for the period he's writing about, racing through the 1300s. His references to people and incidents seem to concertina back and forth through the century.
In our translation into the Manx Gaelic of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Professor Van Helsing takes various objects from his long, leather bag, including a sharpened stake and a hammer. He explains what is necessary to bring rest to Lucy Westenra and her betrothed, Arthur Holmwood, undertakes to do t...
David Robertson's 'A Review of the Manks History' was added to his description of a return visit he made to the Island where he had worked as a British revenue officer some years previously. His combined volumes were published in 1794, and he's reached the reign of Magnus, the last of the dynasty of Godred Crovan.
Professor Van Helsing has brought the three men who each proposed to Lucy Westenra to her grave, and shows to them that she is indeed one of the Undead. She throws aside a young child she's been sucking the blood of, and turns her attention to her former fiance, Arthur Holmwood.
...
Is there something about the name, Reginald? Every time we hear of one in Manx history, he seems to have been something of a bad lot. We start and finish our dip into David Robertson's 'A Review of the Manks History' with two such flawed characters.
Professor Van Helsing has brought Arthur Holmwood, Quincey Morris and Dr John Seward to the graveyard at Kingstead, and the empty tomb of Lucy Westenra. Here they keep watch. And oh! what a sickening spectacle awaits them.
As y kiaull 'sy chlaare -
BWNCATH & MEINIR GWILYM - Gyrru ni 'mlaen
MONROE - Am bothan a bh'aig Fhionnghuala
KOUERIEN - Su...
The rule of the dynasty of Godred Crovan was interrupted as King of Man and the Isles by the arrival of the exiled but powerful King Magnus of Norway. On his death, as David Robertson's 'A Review of the Manks History' outlines it, the former line was invited back, in the form of Olave. Unfortunately, he had three troublesome nephews who took advantage of his absence to foment trouble. His return didn't go well.
In our translation into the Manx Gaelic of 'Dracula', Professor Van Helsing is broaching the difficult subject of the state of Lucy Westenra and what he wants to do to resolve the s...
In his 1794 publication, 'A Tour Through the Isle of Man', David Robertson has added 'A Review of the Manks History', and we've reached events detailed in the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles with the arrival of Godred Crovan.
Professor Van Helsing has written a farewell note for Dr John Seward, just in case Count Dracula should come looking for Lucy Westenra whilst the Professor is keeping watch on her burial place during the night. The following day Arthur Holmwood and Quincey Morris begin to hear of what the Professor intends to do.
As y kiaull ain -
CALUM KENNEDY - Mary of...
As it was written in the 1790s, David Robertson's 'Review of the Manks History' doesn't have the advantage of modern academic research with input from a wide range of disciplines, but still makes entertaining reading, and we can tease out some of the storylines from our own perspective.
The coffin of Lucy Westenra was empty in the dead of night, but Lucy is again lying in it the next day. But she's as beautiful as she ever was, despite lying here in a tomb, but her teeth seem longer and sharper now!
As nyn giaull -
SOWENA - Sprig of thyme
SKEEAL - She 'neen aeg mish as aalin
CARREG LAFAR ...
David Robertson's walking tour of the Island actually was completed several chapters ago, but he had a further four chapters of observations. However, after that, although he finishes Chapter XVIII with END OF THE TOUR, the book continues with REVIEW OF THE MANKS HISTORY, which is also interesting as he views history as understood or surmised in the 1790s.
During the night, Professor Van Helsing has bored and sawed his way into Lucy Westenra's lead coffin to reveal that it's empty. However, he returns with Dr John Seward to open the coffin again during the day - and there's is Lucy, but as...
David Robertson made a walking tour of the Island on his return visit to it in 1791. His circuit began and ended in Douglas, but he added on three more chapters of his general observations, many of which are rather less than flattering, as we hear.
After visiting a hospital to look at a child who had been lost on Hampstead Heath, Professor Van Helsing and Dr John Seward have another mission, this time in the graveyard - in the very vault - where Lucy Westenra was buried recently. It was just before children started being lost on Hampstead Heath. Another extract in our translation into the ...
As a British revenue officer, David Robinson was in favour of the British Crown buying the sovereign rights of the Island from the Lord of Mann, the Duke of Atholl, in 1765 in order to suppress 'the trade' - or 'smuggling' as the British Government considered it.
Professor Van Helsing is trying to persuade Dr John Seward to open his mind to strange possibilities outside of accepted science. And he has a proposal regarding the burial place of Lucy Westenra.
Y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh -
TRIP - Turning tides
PLETHYN - Ar ben waun Tredegar
THE SCOTTISH FIDDLE ORCHESTRA - Medley for the Gay G...
As a British revenue officer, David Robertson writes approvingly of the way the British Crown bought the Lord of Mann's rights in 1765 in order to suppress 'the running trade' in a move that the Manx people referred to as 'y chialg vooar' - 'the big swindle'.
Professor Van Helsing returns from Exeter and starts questioning Dr John Seward about his views on things that science disapproves of, such as astral bodies and mind reading. He points out that Dr Seward is happy to accept hypnotism, even though he has no idea how or why it works. So why not other phenomena?
As nyn giaull -
BRENDA WO...
David Robertson tells us about the herring fishery and the process of preparing both white herrings and red herrings. We hear of the trade and way of life associated with them in the 1790s.
Jonathan Harker has resumed his journal, and so we hear that Professor Van Helsing finds him in surprisingly good health. However, as they part Van Helsing learns of problems in store. Dr John Seward also resumes his diary, thinking that he'd finished it only a week before.
As y kiaull ain -
DERVISH - The ploughman
JOHN BOLITHO - Maggie May
THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS - The geese in the bog/The jig of Slurs...
Having arrived back in Douglas from a tour of the Island with two friends, David Robertson surveys the town from Douglas Head and reflects on the herring fishery as it was in 1791.
Professor Van Helsing has visited Mina Harker in Exeter. Having found out all about poor Lucy Westenra, his attention turns to Mina's husband, Jonathan, and he, too, reads Jonathan's journal of his travails in Castle Dracula.
As y kiaull ain -
ANDREA AR GOUILH & ALAN COCHEVELOU - Marzin en he gavel
OSSIAN - 'S gann gunn dirich mi chaoidh
ST STITHIANS SILVER BAND - Poldice
MACDARA - Beidh aonach amarach
CATE LE ...
David Robertson surveys the scene from the summit of Snaefell and falls to philosophising. After heading straight down the valley to Laxey, he and his two friends then complete their tour of the Island by returning to Douglas via Onchan.
In our Manx translation of Dracula, Professor Van Helsing explains to Mina Harker how it is that, although meeting her for the first time, he feels that he already knows her.
As y kiaull ain -
ANOUK PETTIT & AALISH KILGALLON - Dagh laa as oie
YR HWNTWS - Hannar cnap
REEL TIME CEILIDH BAND - The Congress Reel/Fleshmarket Close/Andy Renwick's Ferret
FRANCIS...
After concluding an overview of the Island's ecclesiastical history, David Robertson continues his 1791 tour of the Island, from Bishop's Court to Ramsey, then out to Maughold, before ascending Snaefell.
In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Professor Van Helsing has arranged to come to Exeter to see Mina Harker. So striking is their meeting that Mina decides to give a verbatim report in her journal.
As y kiaull ain -
MARI MATHIAS - Annwn
EOGHAINN O CEANABHAINN - Mo Sheamoisin
AR BLEIZI RUZ - Polka de Haute-Bretagne
CHRISTINE TEARE - Aislyn y cheayn
THE CHANGING ROOM - Yntredh...
David Robertson gives a pen portrait of Bishop Thomas Wilson and talks of his successor, Mark Hildesley, as being in the same mould. He then deals with several other incumbents up to Claudius Crigan in 1791, before looking at a range of suggestions for the name of the see as Sodor and Man.
There are disturbing developments on and around Hampstead Heath, not far from where Lucy Westenra was buried. Professor Van Helsing arranges to visit Lucy's friend, Mina Harker, in Exeter. Mina hopes it will shed light on what she has just read of the tribulations of her husband Jonathan on visiting Coun...
According to David Robertson's 1791 view of history, after the suppression of the Druids of the Ancient Britons in one Mona, Anglesey, they came to another Mona, the Isle of Man, where they continued their benevolent rule and ministry until the coming of Christianity.
Following the burial of Lucy Westenra near Hampstead Heath, Professor Van Helsing tries to explain to Dr John Seward how it is that King Laughter comes at the most inappropriate times. Meanwhile, families in the Hampstead area are concerned that children are going missing for some lengthy periods and their excuse is that they...
Having explored Peel Castle, David Robertson and friends set out for Kirk Michael, and there we explore the background to one of the Scandinavian runic monuments they examined, as well as other ancient monuments. David Robertson seems to know a surprising lot about Druids!
In our translation into the Manx Gaelic of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', we hear of Jonathan Harker's startling sighting in London's Piccadilly of a link to his past of which his wife, Mina, still knows nothing - but decides to discover. From Dr Seward we hear of Professor Van Helsing's odd behaviour, and his explanation for ...
David Robertson quotes from the work of George Waldron, describing a piece of history associated with Peel Castle in the 1440s. This has given rise to some fanciful additions to the history of Eleanor Cobham, the former wife of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, thanks in part to William Shakespeare and to A P Graves in 'Manx National Songs'.
Arthur Holmwood has come for the funeral of his fiance, Lucy Westenra. Whilst at first a little reserved, he comes to embrace Professor Van Helsing as a good friend, though the Professor still doesn't explain his actions to him, dragging him forcefully awa...
We've arrived in Peel in our tour of the Island in 1791 in the company of David Robertson, who gives a brief account of Peel and its bay and then draws on the work of Captain Francis Grose (a visitor to the Island in 1774) to describe Peel Castle.
Arthur Holmwood has just had to attend to the funeral of his father before coming for the funeral of his fiance, Lucy Westenra. His comfort is in his friendship with Dr John Seward, and now with John Seward's friend and mentor, Professor Van Helsing.
As y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh -
GRAHAM HART - Goin' up Camborne Hill
EMMA CHRISTIAN - Arrane sa...
Our 1791 tour guide, David Robertson, takes us over the mountains from Ballafesson to Foxdale, and then we go down the valley into St John's, before going back out along the Patrick Road towards Peel.
Professor Van Helsing's drastic measures for dealing with Lucy Westenra after her death are thwarted. However, Mrs. Westenra's unusual will has, to the surprise of her solicitor, settled matters in a way which he could scarcely have forseen.
As y kiaull 'sy chlaare y cheayrt shoh -
MYNEDIAD AM DDIM - Torth o fara
BARBARA GLASSEY & HARRY BARLOW - Ellan my chree
BAGAD CAP CAVAL - St Brieg set ...
David Robertson tells us how the Manx people in the late eighteenth century experienced the beings that he refers to as "fairies" and the second sight - not that these were necessarily dismissed by leading figures of the day such as Joseph Addison.
Our episode from Bram Stoker's Dracula follows the death of Lucy Westenra - or does it? Professor Van Helsing proposes a startling course of action to Dr John Seward!
As y kiaull ain -
SHENN SCOILL - Tayrn mee thie
PLETHYN - Y ddafad gorniog
THE GLENCRAIG SCOTTISH DANCE BAND - The walrus
MIKE JAMES & YVES LEBLANCE - Avant-deux de la Meziere
EMM...
David Robertson leads us from Kirk Malew to Kirk Christ Rushen, and on the way we pass some standing stones - but where? We then hear some romantic tales associated with Cronk Howe Mooar - the Fairy Hill at Ballafesson.
Despite the ministrations of Professor Van Helsing and Dr John Seward, Arthur Holmwood's bride-to-be, Lucy Westenra, is failing. She's grateful to Professor Van Helsing for his understanding of her condition. Another episode from a Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
As y kiaull ain -
EMMET SPICELAND - Nora bheag
MARIE-ALINE LAGADIC - Ma labousig ar c'hoad
ELIZABET...
As David Robertson is visiting Castletown, then the seat of Government, he looks at the roles of what were then called the Governor-in-Chief, Edward Smith, and the Governor, Alexander Shaw, and also at peculiarities of Manx law - but is he right?
We turn once again to Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' in translation into the Manx Gaelic, and hear more about poor Lucy Westenra who becomes restless as there is a fluttering and tapping at the window - by moonlight, Dr John Seward sees that there is a large bat there.
As nyn giaull :
ELIANE PRONOST - Alc'houez an eurusted
DAOIRI FARRELL - A pint of pla...
Although David Robertson is describing his tour through the Island in 1791, he looks back 140 years to events of the 1650s, and we use this as a springboard to the history of the Stanley family.
In this week's excerpt from our translation into the Manx Gaelic of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Mina Harker unwittingly writes cheerfully to Lucy Westenra, and Dr John Seward's assistant writes to tell him of another incident with the patient, Renfield.
As y kiaull ain -
SIAN - Bha mo leannan ann
PLETHYN - 'Fuoch chi 'rioed yn morio?
ALBERT HEALY - Melodies from four provinces
MADELYN ANN - Chom enn...
Our tour through the Island in 1791 led by David Robertson has brought us to the Calf, where he refers to a 'woe-worn hermit' living in Elizabethan times. This was a legend used as the basis of a poem by Esther Nelson (1810-1843). We look at Esther Nelson and her poem, 'The Island Penitent : A Legend of the Calf'.
In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Quincey Morris astutely notes that Lucy Westenra has received blood from four people now, and poses the question, 'What took it out?' He joins Dr John Seward and Professor Van Helsing in keeping watch on her. Meanwhile, Mina Har...
After looking at the history and a legend of Keeill Vaayl, the chapel of St Michael that gives its name to the isle in Derbyhaven, we return to David Robertson's tour of 1791 as he takes us further south to the Calf and its avian inhabitants.
An unlucky suitor of Lucy Westenra, Quincey Morris, has just given his blood to save Lucy. He is astute in realizing that another unlucky suitor, Dr John Seward, and the lucky suitor, Arthur Holmwood, as well as Professor Van Helsing, have also given blood previously - and he asks the hard question.
Y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh -
NA SIARAICH - Roinn a...
William Harrison retells The Legend of the Ruined Chapel in St Michael's Isle in a volume of material he collected and edited for The Manx Society in 1873, so we hear about the fate of Father Kelly and the chapel, to which we were steered originally by David Robertson's 1791 tour through the Island.
Dr John Seward and Professor Van Helsing have broken into Lucy Westenra's house, finding four female servants lying drugged in the dining room and Lucy and her mother lying on the bed in Lucy's room. Lucy's mother is dead. What of Lucy? Another episode from a translation into the Manx Gaelic of...
Although David Robertson's 1791 tour through the Isle of Man has brought us to Derbyhaven, his reference to Keeill Vaayl, St Michael's Chapel, has already taken us to the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles, and now we've embarked on a lengthy legend, retold in 1873 by William Harrison, in which St Michael appears to a much-revered priest in the area.
In our Manx translation of Dracula, the late arrival of a telegram has sent Dr John Seward hastening to the home of Lucy Westenra. Meanwhile, Lucy's own account provides a chilling picture of events, so we are warned in advance what ...
David Robertson has brought us to Derbyhaven where we look at the Derby Fort on St Michael's Isle, and then at the chapel itself which gives its name to the isle, Keeill Vaayl, St Michael's Chapel. There's an early reference to it in the Chronicles of Man and the Isles, and then we turn to a legend that appeared in 1873 in a volume for the Manx Society, collected and edited by William Harrison.
Dr John Seward is thankful that he hasn't been summoned by Professor Van Helsing, giving him an opportunity to recover from a knife-attach by his patient, Renshaw. Unfortunately, Van Helsing's tele...
David Robertson tells us the exciting tale of Ivar and Matilda, and the dastardly King Reginald, though the death of Reginald at Ivar's hand is not quite as told in the Chronicle of the Kings of Man and the Isles, which we dip into in a translation by Professor P A Munch.
In this episode from Bram Stoker's Dracula, translated into the Manx Gaelic, we hear more about the wolf, Bersicker, as told to animal keeper, Thomas Bilder, to the reporter from the Pall Mall Gazette. The story is far tamer than the one revealed in Dr John Seward's diary, as his patient, Renshaw, comes into his study.
...