Human Affairs
Rockstar of the Dark Ages
“Inside this tent was the maiden who surpassed in beauty the lily – clad only in her shift. Her body was well formed and handsome. Her side was uncovered, as well as her face, neck and breast.” […]
Western Europe
Violence
A Kiss or a Kill
THE SCENE: After the Spanish General El Cid defeated the army of King Bucar of Morocco, he pursued the fleeing monarch to the sea. After cornering Bucar, El Cid offered him one chance at surrender: […]
Supernatural
A Supernatural Secret
“Lady,” he said, “in God’s name, have mercy on me! If I tell you this, great harm will come to me. For as a result I shall lose your love and destroy myself.” […]
History
A Gloriously Remembered Stab in the Back
“Thinking that the time was ripe for them to obtain control of the whole region, they drew their knives and rushed upon the unarmed and unsuspecting enemy and slew them also that not a single man escaped.” […]
Humor
A Bedroom Blessing
“Before you turn to messing /
With my body and cunt, a blessing /
You must pronounce and make as well /
The sign of the cross, for I tell” […]
Human Affairs
A Knight Begs for Sex
“He kissed her and henceforth was at peace. They lay together and talked, kissing and embracing. May the final act, which others are accustomed to enjoy, give them pleasure.” […]
Violence
Sacred Ground is No Safety from the Wrath of God
“They tumbled down from the tower and became stuck on the points of the standing lances. With arrows flying into them, they breathed their last and carried off their miserable souls in sorrow to hell.” […]
History
Swindled by a Starving Man
“When his companions met him and realized what he had done, some of his friends began to laugh at him, while other censured him, but all agreed that he was out of his mind.” […]
History
The Hospitable Jailer
“The Count set spurs to his horse and rode off, turning his head to look back for fear the Cid should change his mind – a thing that famous man would not do for anything in the world, for never in his life had he gone back on his word.” […]
Human Affairs
The Disrespect of Marie de France
“But just because spiteful tittle-tattlers attempt to find fault with me, I do not intend to give up.” […]