Overview

A wide-ranging account of the place of the swan in medieval culture. Swans possess a striking beauty, and they are imbued with a sense of regal mystery that makes them some of the most fascinating of wild creatures. Introducing the Medieval Swan traces those characteristics to their roots in the medieval era. Opening with a study of the natural history of the swan as understood in the period, the book then moves to literary motifs that feature swans transforming into humans, particularly the legend of the Knight of the Swan. The third chapter examines the place of the swan as an icon of the Lancasters, and the book then explores the swan’s place as a delicacy at extravagant feasts. Finally, we learn how the characteristics the medieval era associated with swans developed over the centuries to the present.

Full Product Details

9781786838391

Table of Contents

Reviews

A must have for those with an interest in medieval history and/or swans. -- Birdbooker Report

Author Information

This book appeals to both the scholar and the interested reader. The main readership will be undergraduates studying medieval history, medieval literature, and art history, but should also appeal to the general public. This volume will also appeal to bird lovers, and those interested in the history of ideas, medievalism, and heraldry.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available