White Rose of Avalon

Literature

  • Lamia

    Lamia was a queen in ancient Greece who had an affair with Zeus, and was cursed by Hera.    Hera turned her into a half serpent woman.   Part of the curse included that Lamia killed her own children, and was tormented by this knowledge evermore! Lamia is also a species of monster that is…

  • My Top Ten Magical Romance Poems

    Romantic and magical themes in poetry have been important parts of literature for millennia.   In the medieval period these themes became even more popular, and this was especially so due to the popularity of  Arthurian legends!    Number 10: Erec and Enide by Chretien de Troyes ~This is the earliest Arthurian poem by Chretien…

  • The Chivalric Code

    The medieval code of chivalry is something that was developed and followed by royal knights and kings during the middle ages.   There were several tenets of the code of chivalry. The code of chivalry as listed on medieval-life-and-times.info is as listed below: To fear God and maintain His Church To serve the liege lord…

  • Medieval Poetry

    Medieval poetry is a type of literature that was inspired by the legends that were popular at the time.   The medieval period was the time of the epic poem.    The Canterbury Tales, The Decameron, and The Romance of the Rose are examples of this poetry.   The Lais of Marie de France was…

  • Ophelia

    Ophelia is the female lead of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet.   She was in love with that prince of Denmark, and was used by the men in her life.   She is an iconic and tragic figure of a young woman trying to find her place in the world.   Ophelia is a figure that has…

  • Faerie Brides

    The tradition of faerie woman luring men into Faery to be with them is a long one.   Equally long is the tradition of faerie woman leaving Faery to be married to human men on earth!    That’s right today’s subject is faerie and human couplings!   Countless fairytales, myths, legends, and poems present the…

  • 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…

  • My Top Five Shakespeare Love Quotes

    Number 5:’I would not wish any companion in the world but you’ (The Tempest – Act 3, Scene 1) ~This quote reminds us that friendship is important in romantic love!  Number 4:’Her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love’ (Antony & Cleopatra – Act 3, Scene 5) ~I love this…

  • 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…

  • My Top 10 Shakespearean Films

    Number 10: Hamlet (1969) ~This version of Hamlet starred Marianne Faithfull as Ophelia, and is worth watching for that alone! Number 9: William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (1996) ~This is the classic Leo DiCaprio and Claire Danes version! Number 8: William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999) ~Michelle Pfiffer made an awesome Titania in this…