[link= http://www.users.qwest.net/~blackburns/OldDorothy.html ]http://www.users.qwest.net/~blackburns/OldDorothy.html[/link]
I've put this link in, its tells the story of Old Dorothy, who Gerald Gardner claims initiated him into the Craft. It relates the whole of the investigation by Doreen Valientein her search for Old Dorothy.
Its quite long, but extremely interesting especially to Wiccan Witches. Enjoy!
RE: Old Dorothy
Hi Sherringham
I think that this is misleading. Have you read ‘Dancing with Witches’ by Lois Bourne (one of Gardner’s earliest High Priestesses); ‘Fifty Years of Wicca’ by Frederic Lamond (one of the early members of Gardner’s coven) and/or ‘The Triumph of the Moon’ by Ronald Hutton? According to these three books, the story of ‘Old Dorothy’ was actually a blind invented by Gerald Gardner to conceal from Doreen Valiente the identity of the woman who actually initiated him – Ethel Woodford Grimes, otherwise known as ‘Dafo’. I’d recommend all three books to anyone interested (although some of Hutton’s book is rather heavy going).
Regards
Alan
RE: Old Dorothy
Alan, I did say 'whom GG claims to have initiated him' , also given the rows that were pretty continuous between GG and anyone and everyone, I think its best to keep an open mind.
But it isA theory, not sworn evidence.
Most of Hutton is pretty heavy!