My first book, Myths and Legends of the Medieval World, is now available! It covers the history of myths, legends and folklore from the Plantagenet period.
No one can deny the enduring power of medieval myths and legends. Tales of King Arthur, Merlin, Robin Hood, Sir Lancelot, magic, dragons, giants, demons, and the Holy Grail are as fascinating for us today as they have ever been.
However, the stories we have inherited from our medieval forebears have often been transformed by the embellishments and additions of later generations. In every century since the Middle Ages, people re-imagined, re-told, and sometimes radically changed stories to suit the audience of the day. This book aims to transport the reader back to the age of the Plantagenets and re-tell these stories as they would have been understood at the time. It explores the stories in detail and looks at what they meant to people living then, how they were told and why they were important.
Explore some of the most puzzling and captivating mysteries of the Middle Ages. What lay behind the legend of the Holy Grail? How did people regard the perilous world of the medieval fairy? How did the medieval world view witchcraft? And what happened during the infamous trial of the Templars?
By integrating oral traditions, performance culture, and folk beliefs, Watts reconstructs how medieval audiences experienced these stories, distinguishing his work from studies that focus solely on textual sources.
Luciano Anastasi, The Medieval Chronicle
This book is an ideal read for those studying medieval culture and society as well as those wishing to learn more about British mythology, the book ranges from Morgan le Fay to Margery Kempe and from unicorns to griffins. Watts’ first book is a very enjoyable addition to the shelf of any medieval enthusiast.
Lisa Redmond, Historical Novel Society
Bookstores
The book is available from Pen and Sword Books in the UK:
The book is available from Casemate in North America:
VISIT THE NORTH AMERICAN BOOKSTORE
The book is available from several different Australian bookstores including:
VISIT THE NILE BOOKSTORE (AUSTRALIA)
Or
VISIT SANITY BOOKSTORE (AUSTRALIA)
I will update information on availability and release dates in other countries on this page as and when I receive any updates from my publisher.