Legends and myths are at the heart of human culture. If we would understand the religion or literature of a people, we must first understand their myths and legends. Sometimes, the myths and legends, as sacred stories, embody the entire religious tradition of a people. Sometimes, as in Judaism and Christianity, the stories are both the origins of the religious tradition and also a later expression of their ethical message and messianic hopes. Now the major myths, legends, and sagas of the world's major cultures have been summarized in a single volume for the first time. The result is a reference work in the form of stories from all parts of the world.

Considerable interest in faery tradition has grown up in recent years and not least in the story of Melusine of Lusignan, the subject of a prose romance by Jean d'Arras at the end of the 14th century, swiftly followed by one in verse by Couldrette. This book provides a collection of material from various sources to give an all round picture of the remarkable faery, her town, her church, her immediate family, and the great Lusignan dynasty she founded. An established authority on Melusine, Gareth Knight collects together all the best source material, which he translates from the French, and presents his own researches into the Lusignan family of the 12th century, whose dynasty included kings of Cyprus and Jerusalem, examining the possibility of a familiar spirit guiding the family in its destiny.

Notebook journal of the history of the legend, size Black paper is 6 x 9 inches, pages 120.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

Legends are riveting tales that are based on real events, but exaggerated so that they are not completely true. In this book, readers will learn the most important aspects of what defines a legend, as well as how to tell fact from fiction in these semi-historical tales. Famous legends, such as those of Robin Hood and El Dorado, are presented in abridged versions that help anybody identify what various legends have in common and what is unique to the culture where the tale originated. Well-known classics are paired up with legends from various other cultures, including the Native American tribes of the Americas, encouraging readers to open their minds to stories from all around the globe.

A mythical bestiary and pantheon drawn from all cultures, past and present. Alphabetically ordered, over 4000 entries describe the origins and significance of mythological beings and legendary figures and events. Gods, goddesses, legends, rites and beliefs from all ages abound in this dictionary.