Bulfinch's Mythology: Legends of Charlemagne, or Romance of the Middle Ages Paperback – July 3, 2016

Thomas Bulfinch was an American writer, born in Newton, Massachusetts. He is best known as the author of Bulfinch's Mythology, an 1881 compilation of his previous works. The compilation assembled posthumously by Edward Everett Hale, known simply as Bulfinch's Mythology, includes various stories belonging to the mythological traditions known as the Matter of Rome, the Matter of Britain and the Matter of France, respectively. The Matter of France, also known as the Carolingian cycle, is a body of literature and legendary material associated with the history of France, in particular involving Charlemagne and his associates. The cycle springs from the Old French chansons de geste, and was later adapted into a variety of art forms, including Renaissance epics and operas. Together with the Matter of Britain, which concerned King Arthur, and the Matter of Rome, comprising material derived from and inspired by classical mythology, it was one of the great literary cycles that figured repeatedly in medieval literature. Central figures of the Matter of France include Charlemagne and his paladins, especially Roland, hero of The Song of Roland, and his companion Oliver, who was frequently cast in conflict with the Muslim champion Fierabras. Originally, the Matter of France contained tales of war and martial valour, being focused on the conflict between the Franks and Saracens or Moors during the period of Charles Martel and Charlemagne. The Chanson de Roland, for example, is about the Battle of Roncevaux Pass during the Moorish invasion of southern France. As the genre matured, elements of fantasy and magic tended to accrue to the tales. The magic horse Bayard, for example, is a recurring figure in many of the tales. The fundamental character of the "Matter of France" is feudal and Christian (in a crusading form). Although viewed as idolators, the Saracens are depicted as not necessarily un-chivalrous. The earliest gestes were likely sung by a jongleur, accompanying himself on a fiddle. It is apparent that the authors are completely ignorant of the fact that Islam is monotheistic. Read more