Abstract

The Hag o’ the Hills: Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching as Sovereignty Goddess

In her book Folklore of the Disc Jacqueline Simpson argues persuasively that “Whatever is folklore on Earth finds its mirror in the reality of the disc” (14). Following her, I propose that a study of recurring images, motifs and allusions in the Tiffany books suggests that Tiffany might be considered the Discworld’s reflection of Earth’s Celtic Sovereignty Goddess. For anyone who has read the Witches books, even a superficial consideration of this statement rings true, given that the Celtic Sovereignty Goddesses were bound to the land and were responsible for everything in their territories, from birth and death and the welfare of livestock to guarding the boundaries against intruders and endorsing the rule of the mortal king. Just so, Pratchett’s witches are bound to the land of their steadings and care for everything that lives there. They are midwives and they tend to the dying. They also guard the borders of their homes and have the authority to ratify or rescind the legitimacy of those who rule. In this article, I therefore propose that as a young Tiffany Aching feels out the shape of her power, learning from the older witches and stepping into her responsibilities, Pratchett takes this opportunity to reflect on the mythical and folkloric force that shapes her and, arguably all his witches, and I contend that this force is the Celtic Sovereignty Goddess.