White Rose of Avalon

Legends

  • Cupid and Psyche

    The myth of Cupid and Psyche is a romantic tale that tells the story of the love god Cupid and the beautiful princess Psyche!   Cupid had gone on a mission by his mother Venus to kill Psyche because it was said that her beauty rivaled that of Venus herself.   Venus burned with jealousy…

  • Lady Godiva

    Lady Godiva was a noblewoman in Coventry in the eleventh century.    She was famous for being fervently opposed to her husband’s taxation of the citizens.   Being a woman in her era meant that she was not likely to be heard by her husband in matters of state.    So she famously took extreme…

  • Lucrezia Borgia

    The Borgias were one of Renaissance Italy’s most notorious families.   Today they are seen as a precursor to the modern Mafia, or a proto-Mafia if you will.   Lucrezia Borgia was the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia who would become Pope Alexander VI.    Lucrezia Borgia’s story is one filled with intrigue, poisoning, sex, and…

  • The Vila

    The Vila are faeries of Slavic folklore who love to dance, but will turn viscous if you are guilty of hunting and harming forest creatures.   They are protectors of the forest, similar to Greek nymphs, but much more viscous!    In many tellings they are also protectors of women, and will lure men to…

  • Cleopatra VII

    Cleopatra VII was the last queen of Egypt, ruling until her death (supposedly a suicide by asp bite, or injection of poison) after her and Marc Antony lost the Battle of Actium.   She is famous and infamous as a symbol of ancient Egypt and as a seductress.    She was an incredible scholar, and…

  • Faerie Queens and Art

    Faerie Queens have long been inspiration for artists.    They factor heavily into Celtic lore and legends.   Celtic culture itself heavily influenced the Arthurian Legends!   Arthurian legends would inspire many generations of artists. Edmund Spenser wrote the epic poem The Faerie Queene during the reign of Elizabeth I.   The poem is an…

  • Tristan and Isolde

    Tristan was a great knight in the kingdom of Cornwall, and Isolde was an Irish princess.   Tristan was sent to Ireland to compete in a tournament in order to win the hand of this princess for his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall.   Tristan readily defeats all comers and wins Isolde’s hand for King…

  • My Top 10 Arthurian Films

    The top films in a specific category is always a matter that inspires much debate.   As a lover of everything Arthurian, and faerie, and films (especially classic films) I think I am qualified to tell you my personal top ten list of Arthurian adaptions!   Number 10: Avalon High ~This Disney Channel Original Film…

  • The Faerie Melusine

    The legend of the faerie Melusine has its roots in medieval France.    There are also German versions of the tale where she was called Melusina.   French tradition links Melusine with noble houses, and some medieval royals and nobles claimed decent from this faerie woman. The story of Melusine is one of a faerie…

  • Vita Merlini

    The life of the wizard Merlin has been a matter of interest to legions of people for over fifteen hundred years.   He was the magician who played an important part in the legends of Arthur and the knights of the roundtable.     It was his magic that allowed Uther Pendragon to bed Igraine…