Journey through magical fairy tales, chivalric adventures, mystical events and celebrated foundation myths. Trace how folk traditions and the manners of courtly love have developed through generations and across continents and how the most celebrated of ancient stories have become even more fantastical with age. Chantry Westwell has used her profound knowledge of the Library's illuminated manuscript collections to explore some of literature's most enduring and multi-layered stories, together with the deep history of the books and chronicles in which they were first preserved. These powerful tales are presented alongside some of the most exquisite examples of art to survive from the eighth to the sixteenth centuries as medieval artists responded to the inspiring storylines with their own works of supreme beauty.

About the Author
Chantry Westwell studied modern European and African languages in Cape Town, followed by MAs in Historical Linguistics at Ohio State and in Medieval Studies at University College London. Her special interest is in Old French and Anglo-Norman romance. For the past twelve years she has worked as a volunteer at the British Library.


Book Information
ISBN 9780712354141
Author Chantry Westwell
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint British Library Publishing
Publisher British Library Publishing