Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages

This compendium of Medieval folk tales and epic myths entertain and provide insight into the cultural lore of legendary stories.

Containing seldom spoken hidden gems such as The Nibelung Hero together with widely circulated tales of Beowulf and Roland the Paladin, this book has a comprehensive selection of folk tales. Many of these originate from Germany and the Norse regions of Europe, and are rich with cultural allusions as well as captivating narratives. 

The virtues of knightly valour are present in many of the stories within, while the court customs of monarchs frequently appear. Fair maidens, and the practices of chivalry and courtship in their continental form are also a recurring theme. Enemies and nemeses whether human or mythical beast are rendered vicious and foreboding, just as the original storytellers intended. 

Originally published in 1884, this collection of stories was compiled by scholar of Medieval literature Wilhelm Wägner. The widely ranging stories within were chosen for their vivid imagery and emotive clout, as alluded to in this introductory passage: 

"As we write, the shadowy forms of terrific Alboin raising aloft his goblet fashioned from royal skull; the noble Siegfried with his loved Chriemhild and the jealous Brunhild; brave King Dietrich; the gentle, patient Gudrun and her beauteous mother Hilde, all flit before the mind, framing themselves into a vivid picture, such as must have lived in the imagination of our early forefathers, stirring them on to noble actions, restraining them from evil working."