Self Proclaimed Folk Legends
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| Benedict XIII |
Folk legends capture the special qualities a person may
have. The traits of these self made legends are then used to convey information about a society’s values
and morals. Over time the facts may
become exaggerated. Rarely does a story that is passed from person to person
stay exactly as it originally was.
Such is human nature, yes. And such is the nature of sharing
folk legends. They often do change to fit a specific time and place in order to
make them more relevant. For example, someone who walked six miles in the snow
each day to get to and from school may not be believable if told in area where snow
no longer falls or where snow never existed.
The fluidity and the creativity of this folklore form allows
people to contemporize and make it relevant today.
But what about folk legends that are self-made? These
stories are spun by the folk legend him or herself in order to preserve a
certain folkloric perspective which is usually ‘heroic’ in nature. In some ways, these anti folk legends have in
fact, become folk legends.
Here are a few examples of such people whose stories about themselves
helped to preserve their memories and deeds.
SELF TITLED ROYALTY
Georges-Eugène Haussmann was also
known as Baron Haussmann even though he was not a Baron. He was said to have helped rebuild Paris into
the city it is today replete with boulevards and public space. His title? It was a nickname he had been given.
It is interesting to note that his
achievement, under the direction of Napoleion III was considered impressive in
light of the fact that he had no training as an architect or urban planner.
THE ANTIPOPE
When a Roman Catholic Pope has been sanctioned and someone
else claims to be the pope as well, that person is referred to as an antipope. There
have been more than 35 such cases; rival factions have used the position to
gain political power. Such was the case with Benedict XIII who ‘reigned supreme’
from 1394 to 1422. It was at this time that the church had split.
He had been asked repeatedly to surrender his claim but refused.
After his death, another antipope was chosen. However, when the two factions
reunited there remained only one pope.
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