Medieval Mysteries
A Guide to History, Lore, Places and Symbolism
Journey into twelve of the world's favorite medieval mysteries and cross the threshold into the world of the High Middle Ages. From Chaucer's Canterbury Tales to Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose to Dan Brown's bestselling The Da Vinci Code, the medieval period continues to intrigue, inspire, entertain, and fascinate many today.
This is a book for the general reader and specialist alike, Medieval expert, former Rosslyn Chapel museum exhibition curator, and bestselling author Dr. Karen Ralls guides the reader through the key historical facts, legends and lore, affiliated places, and major symbolism of 12 popular medieval enigmas, providing a lively introductory portal which includes some of the lesser-known, sidelined, or unacknowledged aspects of each of these enduring topics. The story of each subject comes alive as never before, providing a solid introduction for all readers as well as further suggested resources for teachers and researchers. Also included are photographs, a recommended reading section, maps, a list of the key major sites associated with each topic, and a full bibliography.
Topics covered include:
• King Arthur, Merlin, and Glastonbury
• The Grail Quest
• Mary Magdalene
• The real meaning of Black Madonnas
• The Knights Templar, the Cathars, and Rosslyn Chapel
• Medieval Guides and Troubadours
• Heresy and Heretics
Karen Ralls, Ph.D., medieval historian, international lecturer, and media consultant, was postdoctoral fellow at the University of Edinburgh for six years before continuing her specialist medieval research at Oxford. A member of the Oxford University Religious Studies Society, the American Academy of Religion (AAR), and the British Society for the Study of Religion (BASR), Dr. Ralls was also former deputy director of the Rosslyn Chapel Museum exhibition (1996-2001). Originally from the United States, she has frequently appeared on the History Channel and Discovery, and in National Geographic TV documentaries. The author of The Templars and the Grail and other books, she has an award-winning Website www.karenralls.com.
