Britons and Celts
Origins of a Sacred Stone
“If destiny deceives not, the Scots will reign ‘tis said
In that same place where the stone has been laid.” […]
Mild
Viking
The Bloody Poetry Rushes Forth
“A warm, foamy stream of Danish blood, squeezed from their veins, gathers in waves to form broad lakes, an inundation which rolls the scattered corpses.” […]
Supernatural
Deliver us from Gilbert
“It was done like this: a small staff, engraved with certain Gothic characters, was thrown towards him by his master, and when Gilbert caught it in his hands he remained fettered and unable to move. Nor could he free himself when he applied his teeth to it, for it was as if they were stuck together with an adhesive pitch, nor with his feet when, on the crafty advice of his master, he tried to use them.” […]
Humor
Playing with a Horse’s “Dangler”
“As the slave cut off the horse’s member, and was about to throw it away, the farmer’s son ran by laughing, caught it, and took it into the parlour. There, his mother was sitting, accompanied by her daughter and the slave-woman. He shook the phallus at them, shouting mocking remarks.” […]
Greek and Roman
An Appetite For Revenge
‘“That which you have eaten,” replied the knight, “was in fact the heart of Guillaume de Cabestanh, with whom you, faithless woman that you are, were so infatuated.’ […]
History
Power of a Portly King
“The king mounted someone else’s horse and returned to combat in a spirited fashion. He shouted and called his men back, urging the boldest by name not to flee. With sword unsheathed the king rushed amid the enemy ranks to help those whom he could and chose those who were fleeing.” […]
Viking
Four Against One and To the Death
“The sword that he bore cut armor and helmets as easily as birch bark, and did not spare the bones or flesh of men.” […]
Humor
A Cow-Powered Threat
“They had great faith in a certain cow, and they called her Sibilja. She received so many sacrifices that men could now withstand her bellowing. It was the king’s custom, when an invasion was expected, that this very same cow went in front of the ranks.” […]
Human Affairs
A Retort for an Assassin
“Gizur said: ‘A great chieftain have we laid low now, and it has cost us dear, and his defence will be remembered as long as men live in this land!'” […]
Greek and Roman
The Renaissance Don as a Loving Father
“My daughter, it was always my dearest wish that you should marry a man whom I considered worthy of you; and if you did indeed choose such a man, and he was pleasing to you, then I could have wished for nothing better.” […]