Britons and Celts
The Dragon’s Head
“He made a present of of the Dragons to the congregation of the cathedral church of the see of Winchester.” […]
Legend
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.” […]
Orient
The Mutants of the Mountains
“When he beheld their uncleanness, he marveled. They ate every nauseous thing, such as gnats, flies, cats, and serpents. They did not bury their dead, but at them, along with the fruits of abortions and all sorts of impure beasts. On beholding this, Alexander was afraid lest, as they multiplies, they might corrupt the earth.” […]
Britons and Celts
Ancient Aliens
“Near this place are seen some very ancient cavities, called “Wolfpittes,” that is, in English, “Pits for wolves,” and which give their name to the adjacent village. During harvest, while the reapers were employed in gathering in the produce of the fields, two children, a boy and a girl, completely green in their persons, and clad in garments of a strange color, and unknown materials, emerged from these excavations.” […]
History
Pride Goes Before a Horn Blow
“Count Roland, racked with agony and pain and great chagrin, now sounds his ivory horn. Bright blood leaps in a torrent from his mouth. The temple has been ruptured in his brain. The horn he holds emits a piercing blast.” […]
Human Affairs
Facial Hair Diplomacy
“The adult men of the land of Gog and Magog are beardless. When a man with a full beard enters their country, the king, who is of the line of Gog and Magog, orders his beard plucked out.” […]
Britons and Celts
Reign of the Pirate Priest
“He then made a descent on the provinces of Scotland, wasting all before him with rapine and slaughter; but whenever the royal army was dispatched against him, he eluded the whole warlike preparation, either by retreating to distant forests, or taking to the sea; and when the troops had retired, he again issued from his hiding-places to ravage the provinces.” […]
Britons and Celts
The Death of the King of Cats
“a Cat (as he thought) leaped out of a bush before him and called him twice or thrice by his name, but because he made no answer, nor spake (for he was so afraid that he could not) she spake to him plainly twice or thrice these words following.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Song of the Manuel the Armenian
“Manuel set off, but the emperor was too afraid and did not flow, so he was obliged to turn back again. When the emperor missed his chance again, he came back a third time and threatened him with death if he did not follow. It was thus that, very late in the day and with great difficulty, the emperor was saved.” […]
Orient
A People Cursed by God
“They consume everything, even the grass. Like wild beasts, they slaughter our herds. They even eat the vermin that crawl on the earth. No other species multiplies like they do. Not one of them dies without fathering a thousand children.” […]