by Ilka Tampke
The manuscript has benefited greatly from the expertise of archaeologist and author, Francis Pryor, who generously read the whole thing and spent a very pleasant morning with me touring Flag Fen in Peterborough, UK. His books, Britain BC, Britain AD and Seahenge were key sources of historical detail. All errors of fact are mine.
In understanding the elusive teacher/priests of ancient Britain I have drawn heavily on the work of Peter Beresford Ellis, particularly The Druids, which led me to several ancient texts. The riddles that Taliesin asks Ailia are taken from the ‘Wooing of Ailbe’, a medieval Irish manuscript. Instructions of Morann Mac Cairbre, recorded in the Book of Leinster, inspired the speech Ailia uses to the rally the warriors. Ailia’s curse on the Romans at the end of the book is a reworking of Macha’s curse in the Irish saga ‘The Debility of the Ulstermen’.
The writings of James Cowan informed my knowledge of Australian totemic spirituality. In particular his Mysteries of the Dream-time and Aboriginal Dreaming offered much inspiration for several of the ‘lessons’ that precede each chapter.
I am grateful to Writers Victoria for awarding me a Glenfern Fellowship in 2012, and to the Australian Society of Authors and the Copyright Agency for Sue Gough’s fortifying mentorship in 2010.
The Australia Council’s ArtStart grant provided funds for a much-needed space to work. I have been housed by Mary Delahunty’s delightful ‘Rosebank’ property near Lancefield and by ‘Duneira’ at Mount Macedon. Thanks to the S.R.Stoneman Foundation for allowing me to be Duneira’s first writer in residence.
Heartfelt thanks to my teachers at RMIT: Sally Rippin, Clare Renner, Olga Lorenzo and Toni Jordan. Your encouragement and knowledge were transformative.
To my fellow writers who have read my work patiently for many years, I owe a huge debt of gratitude: Brooke Maggs, Michelle Deans, Richard Holt, Carla Fedi, Melinda Dundas, Jo Horsburgh, Simon Mitchell, Melissa Keil, Jacinda Woodhead, Benjamin Laird, Nean McKenzie, Lucy Stewart, Vivian Ullman, Anthony Holden, Jason Cotter, Damean Posener, Suzanne Donisthorpe and Danielle Binks. And especially to Suzy Zail, who has walked beside me unwaveringly.
I am indebted to Sarah Butler, who first took me to Glastonbury over twenty years ago. We climbed the misty Tor at midwinter and the seed of Skin was sown.
Thank you to Lyn and Tim Nitschke, for caring for my children during the years of writing and to Jane Mills for the same, as well as her reassurance and love.
And to Adam, Toby and Amaya: my earth, sun and moon.
Ilka Tampke
MOUNT MACEDON, NOVEMBER 2014