Juliette Wood Livres

Showcases the Celtic civilization by presenting its art, from exquisite jewellery to weapons of war

The sacred allure of the Holy Grail has fascinated writers and ensnared knights for over a thousand years. From Malory to Monty Python, the eternal chalice- said to be the very cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper- has the richest associations of any icon in British myth. Juliette Wood reveals the significance of the Grail in popular consciousness-as myth, medieval romance, holy relic and finally as a worldwide coded conspiracy, stretching back to the dawn of civilisation. Her book will enthral those who seek to unlock the secrets of western mythology's most extraordinary and tantalising enigma

Drawing on historical sources, myth and folklore, Fantastic Creatures in Mythology and Folklore explores the roles of fantastical beasts - particularly the unicorn, the mermaid, and the dragon - in a series of thematic chapters organised according to their legendary dwelling place, be this land, sea, or air. Through this original approach, Juliette Wood provides the first study of mythical beasts in history from the medieval period to the present day, providing new insights into the ways these creatures continue to define our constantly changing relationship to both real and imagined worlds. It places particular emphasis on the role of the internet, computer games, and the cyberspace community, and in doing so, demonstrates that the core medieval myth surrounding these creatures remains static within the ever-increasing arena of mass marketing and the internet. This is a vital resource for undergraduates studying fantastic creatures in history, literature and media studies.