Medieval Elves and Sorcerous

In the Middle Ages, elves were not the playful, diminutive beings of later fantasy, but supernatural, often magical creatures with complex roles in belief systems, folklore, and literature.

Origins and Nature

The Old and Middle English term alven (elf) referred to a class of smaller, less powerful supernatural beings compared to the grand “fallen angels” or demons 

. Elves were part of a broader medieval supernatural taxonomy that included fairies, sirens, and other elusive creatures. They were often ambivalent toward humans—capable of both helping and harming