Curious Myths of the Middle Ages

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages first published in 1866 is a collection of 24 of the most commonly held superstitions of the Medieval era. For each story Baring-Gould presents his research into the history and possible inspiration for the myth. Included among these familiar tales are: . The Wandering Jew the story of the Jewish shoemaker who is doomed to wander the Earth until the Second Coming . William Tell the Swiss hero who shot an apple off his sons head . Saint George a Christian who suffered seven torturous deaths only to be revived each time healthy and unhurt . The Fortunate Isles also known as Atlantis; this myth posits the existence of a magical land in the west where paradise awaits. English hagiographer and scholar SABINE BARING-GOULD (1834-1924) published a book of English folk songs entitled Songs of the West in 1889 and wrote many hymns including Onward Christian Soldiers.