Curious Myths of the Middle Ages

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages
Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2020-09-28
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1465608427

I do not refer to the first illustration as striking, where the Jewish shoemaker is refusing to suffer the cross-laden Savior to rest a moment on his door-step, and is receiving with scornful lip the judgment to wander restless till the Second Coming of that same Redeemer. But I refer rather to the second, which represents the Jew, after the lapse of ages, bowed beneath the burden of the curse, worn with unrelieved toil, wearied with ceaseless travelling, trudging onward at the last lights of evening, when a rayless night of unabating rain is creeping on, along a sloppy path between dripping bushes; and suddenly he comes over against a wayside crucifix, on which the white glare of departing daylight falls, to throw it into ghastly relief against the pitch-black rain-clouds. For a moment we see the working of the miserable shoemaker’s mind. We feel that he is recalling the tragedy of the first Good Friday, and his head hangs heavier on his breast, as he recalls the part he had taken in that awful catastrophe. Or, is that other illustration more remarkable, where the wanderer is amongst the Alps, at the brink of a hideous chasm; and seeing in the contorted pine-branches the ever-haunting scene of the Via Dolorosa, he is lured to cast himself into that black gulf in quest of rest,—when an angel flashes out of the gloom with the sword of flame turning every way, keeping him back from what would be to him a Paradise indeed, the repose of Death? Or, that last scene, when the trumpet sounds and earth is shivering to its foundations, the fire is bubbling forth through the rents in its surface, and the dead are coming together flesh to flesh, and bone to bone, and muscle to muscle—then the weary man sits down and casts off his shoes! Strange sights are around him, he sees them not; strange sounds assail his ears, he hears but one—the trumpet-note which gives the signal for him to stay his wanderings and rest his weary feet. I can linger over those noble woodcuts, and learn from them something new each time that I study them; they are picture-poems full of latent depths of thought. And now let us to the history of this most thrilling of all mediæval myths, if a myth. If a myth, I say, for who can say for certain that it is not true? “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom,” are our Lord’s words, which I can hardly think apply to the destruction of Jerusalem, as commentators explain it to escape the difficulty. That some should live to see Jerusalem destroyed was not very surprising, and hardly needed the emphatic Verily which Christ only used when speaking something of peculiarly solemn or mysterious import. Besides, St. Luke’s account manifestly refers the coming in the kingdom to the Judgment, for the saying stands as follows: “Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and of My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages
Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
Publisher: DigiCat
Total Pages: 127
Release: 2022-11-13
Genre: Social Science
ISBN:

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages is a collection of a dozen of tales and legends from medieval England. The author does a thorough research relating these stories to the extant mythology from many ancient cultures, tracing the origin of each myth. Table of Contents: The Wandering Jew Prester John The Divining Rod The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus William Tell The Dog Gellert Tailed Men Antichrist and Pope Joan The Man in the Moon The Mountain of Venus Fatality of Numbers The Terrestrial Paradise

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages
Author: S. Baring-Gould
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 88
Release: 2016-08-16
Genre:
ISBN: 9781537100050

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages First Series S. Baring-Gould Table of Contents 1. The Wandering Jew. 2. Prester John. 3. The Divining Rod. 4. The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. 5. William Tell. 6. The Dog Gellert. 7. Tailed Men. 8. Antichrist and Pope Joan. 9. The Man in the Moon. 10. The Mountain of Venus. 11. Fatality of Numbers. 12. The Terrestrial Paradise.

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages
Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2023-12-15
Genre: History
ISBN:

In Sabine Baring-Gould's 'Curious Myths of the Middle Ages', the reader is taken on a captivating journey through medieval Europe, exploring and dissecting the curious myths and legends that shaped the beliefs and practices of the time. Baring-Gould's writing style is both informative and engaging, providing in-depth analysis of each myth while maintaining a sense of scholarly detachment. The book is a valuable resource for those interested in folklore, religion, and medieval history, offering a glimpse into the mindset of people from a bygone era. Baring-Gould's attention to detail and meticulous research are evident in every page, making this book a must-read for anyone curious about the cultural landscape of the Middle Ages. Sabine Baring-Gould, a respected British scholar and clergyman, drew upon his extensive knowledge of history and mythology to compile this comprehensive study of medieval myths. His background in theology and literature gave him a unique perspective on the subject, allowing him to explore the myths from both a religious and literary standpoint. Baring-Gould's passion for uncovering the truth behind these myths is palpable throughout the book, making it a compelling read for scholars and enthusiasts alike. I highly recommend 'Curious Myths of the Middle Ages' to anyone interested in delving deep into the fascinating world of medieval folklore. Baring-Gould's meticulous research and insightful analysis make this book a valuable addition to any library, offering a glimpse into the beliefs and superstitions that shaped the medieval mindset.