Human Affairs
The Viking Who Played Too Rough
“On the third day two men went after him and many of them shoved him. He struck the eye out of one of them with the ball, and felled another and broke his neck.” […]
14th Century AD
History
Prester John and the Golden King
“It happened one day that the Golden King went out for his sport with only a handful of followers, and among them were these seven traitors. When they had crossed a river about a mile distant from the place, and left their companions on the farther bank, the seven henchmen, seeing that the kind had no one to protect him, resolved to carry out the purpose for which they had come.” […]
Human Affairs
A Viking Romance In Miniature
“Thvari married her, and she sat on the bridal bench with a helmet and chainmail, but they loved each other dearly. Thvari left off plundering and settled down, and they had two sons.” […]
History
Etiquette for the Great Khan
“Next, every baron or nobleman continually carries with him a little vessel of pleasing design into which he spits so long as he is in the hall, so that no one may make so bold as to spit on the floor; and when he has spat he cover it and keeps it.” […]
Humor
A Gentleman Wets His Foal (In Bed)
‘“Where is your foal, sweetheart?” she said.
“Between my legs, my love,” he replied, “and you may touch him, but quietly, since he is very shy.”’ […]
History
The Charity of the Great Khan
“When he learns that some family of honest and respectable people have been impoverished by some misfortune or disabled from working by illness, so that they have no means of earning their daily bread, he sees to it that such families (which may consist of six to ten persons or more) are given enough to cover their expenses for the whole year.” […]
Supernatural
Ragnar Lothbok Wins His Name
“The snake needed an old ox for each meal, and everyone thought it was the greatest monstrosity.” […]
History
The Medieval Postmen of Mongolia
“For it takes these runners no more than a day and a night to cover a ten day’s journey, or two days and two nights for a twenty days’ journey. So in ten days they can transmit news over a journey of a hundred days. ” […]
Britons and Celts
Gawain the Virgin
“Good morning, Sir Gawain,” said the graceful lady, “You sleep so soundly one might sidle in here. You’re tricked and you’re trapped! But let’s make a truce, or I’ll besiege you in your bed, and you’d better believe me.” […]
Human Affairs
A Way With (Sexy) Words
“He asked if she would harden it again, and she said that she would like that very much, if it seemed necessary to him.” […]