Britons and Celts
Salvation Through Suffering
“They say that if a person once undergoes these torments because of a penance imposed on him, he will not have to endure the pains of hell – unless he commit some very serious sin.” […]
Animals
Human Affairs
Saintly Dog or Demon Dog?
“The local peasants hearing of the dog’s noble deed and innocent death, began to visit the place and honor the dog as a martyr in quest of help for their sicknesses and other needs. They were seduced and often cheated by the Devil so that he might in this way lead men into error.” […]
Humor
No! Not the Bees!
“But the latter is said to have had at hand many hives of bees, which he broke open and let loose against the duke’s horsemen. The bees tormented the horses with their sings, and made them mad, so that their riders began to be imperiled.” […]
Viking
Boy Vs. Bear
“They had not been there for long when they heard a loud crack from the woods, and suddenly they say an incredibly huge and savage-looking bear. It was a great bear, wolf-grey in color.” […]
Britons and Celts
The Language of Birds & Banalities
“For being on a time sitting at dinner in a house among his friends : he harkened diligently to a Sparrow that came flying and chirping to others that were about the house, & smiled to himself to hear her. When one of the company desired to know why he smiled : he told him the sparrow’s tale.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Grasping Goes Too Far
“When the accused saw her, he was thunderstruck and stood there, speechless, for some time. Then he just managed to regain enough of his composure to embrace the emperor’s feet in tears and become a humble petitioner.” […]
Britons and Celts
Born of An Unholy Union
“From this you may believe that once again a man that was half an ox, and an ox that was half a man was produced.” […]
Britons and Celts
Mysteries Without Answers
“There was found a beautiful double stone, that is, a stone composed of two stones, joined with some very adhesive matter. Being shown, by the wondering workmen, to the bishop, who was at hand, it was ordered to be split, that its mystery (if any) might be developed. In the cavity, a little reptile, called a toad, having a small golden chain around its neck, was discovered.” […]
Britons and Celts
Curse of the Irish Werewolf
“here is also in Ireland one nation, whereof for one man and woman are at every seven years end turned into wolves, and so continue in the woods the space of seven years and if they happen to live out the time, they return to their own form again.” […]
History
The Bear-Killin’ King
“He had asked the guardians who were bringing him up conscientiously for permission to go and see the hunting when he encountered a bear of unusual size.” […]