Thomas the Rhymer
Preserved but no longer current.
A border poet and seer of the close of the 13th century, also called Thomas of Erceldoune and Thomas Learmont. He is the reputed author of a number of poems, including one on Tristram (which Scott be- lieved to be genuine), and is fabled to have pre- dicted the death of Alexander III of Scotland, the Battle of Bannockburn, the union of England and Scotland under James VI, etc. He must not be confused with Thomas Rymer (d.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Thomas the Rhymer” mean?
A border poet and seer of the close of the 13th century, also called Thomas of Erceldoune and Thomas Learmont. He is the reputed author of a number of poems, including one on Tristram (which Scott be- lieved to be genuine), and is fabled to have pre- dicted the death of Alexander III of Scotland, the Battle of Bannockburn, the union of England and Scotland under James VI, etc. He must not be confused with Thomas Rymer (d.
Is “Thomas the Rhymer” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.