Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wägner, Wilhelm, 1800-1886

Contributor:

Anson, W. S. W., 1855-1931

Macdowall, M. W.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages" by Wilhelm Wägner is a collection of adaptations of legendary tales and heroic epics from the Teutonic Middle Ages, likely written in the late 19th century. The book compiles significant narratives from various cycles, including the Nibelung and Carolingian legends, alongside tales of King Arthur and the Round Table. It explores the stories of valor, conflict, and love through many characters, such as Siegfried, Gudrun, and King Rother, embodying the cultural heritage and historical truths of medieval European societies. The opening of the volume introduces a rich tapestry of legends that are both historical and fantastical. It begins with an explanation of the importance of legend in preserving the cultural identity, values, and beliefs of past ages. The narrative starts with the tale of Alboin and Rosamund, intertwining the themes of love, betrayal, and retribution influenced by the violent dynamics between the Langobards and Gepidæ tribes. This foundational story sets the stage for exploring the complexities of human relationships within an epic context, reflecting the archetypal struggles and heroic endeavors that characterize the entirety of the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Langobardian Legends

The Amelungs

Dietrich of Bern

The Nibelung Hero

The Nibelung's Woe

The Hegeling Legend

Beowulf

Carolingian Legends

Legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail

Tannhäuser

Credits:

Produced by Chris Curnow, Sonya Schermann, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 77.2 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2014-09-21