From the Publisher
"This encyclopedia is an impressive and fascinating compilation of the cultural traditions of the medieval world of considerable interest to medievalists and nonmedievalists alike … an essential reference tool for all students of folklore, literature, and history."
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The Medieval Review
"This is the first work that treats medieval folklore exclusively rather than an adjunct to another topic, and it is an excellent source for both amateurs and more serious scholars."
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Library Journal
"It will appeal to both general and scholarly audiences seeking background and explanations of this important aspect of medieval life … Some 306 entries cover a rich variety of topics including burial mounds, courtly love, dreams and dream poetry, festivals, games and play, oral theory, punishments, and styles of food preparation … Medieval Folklore … is a fascinating and well done reference that will find a home in many academic and public libraries."
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Against the Grain
"…the work under consideration appears to be the only one readily available and accessible to the average reader. It is recommended for libraries serving beginning and moderately advanced students of the folklore of the Middle Ages in Europe."
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Booklist, Starred Review
"This outstanding, two volume, A–Z guide to the folk and supernatural lore of the Middle Ages is a 'must' reference for any college-level library where folkloric or history studies is a central part of the curriculum."
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The Bookwatch
"Recommended as a model topical encyclopedia for all levels, beginning folklorist or medievalist to expert."
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Choice
"Will enhance any library's folklore collection … highly recommended for the reference collections of public and academic libraries."
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American Reference Books Annual
"A one-of-a-kind resource."
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School Library Journal
"The work is for any audience, from those new to medieval folklore to specialists in the subject … The entries are clearly written and thoroughly researched, not only providing information but also sparking further interest in the subject … It is unique in its specific focus on medieval folklore and is well worth the price for most libraries."
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VOYA
"School libraries serving upper grades and public and academic libraries will welcome this unique and important work. Highly recommended."
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The Book Report
VOYA
This fascinating two-volume encyclopedia focuses on the "concrete and least contestable evidence" of actual beliefs and practices to give a clear picture of myths, legends, tales, beliefs, and customs as they relate to the medieval time period. Of necessity, the editors limit the geographic scope primarily to medieval Europe with a concentration on 500-1500. The work is for any audience, from those new to medieval folklore to specialists in the subject, and it reflects the popularity of the topic in modern society. The preface introduces and describes the book and should be read by anyone giving this work more than a cursory glance. The entries are clearly written and thoroughly researched, not only providing information but also sparking further interest in the subject. The topics covered range from the general, such as funeral customs, burial rituals, or Celtic mythology, to the specific, such as druids, gargoyles, and relics. Folkloric motifs and characters, such as Green Man, Wild Hunt, and Thomas Rhymer, are represented along with saints and religious themes, such as the Garden of Eden, monks, and pilgrimages. Daily life events and activities are covered in entries on spinning and weaving, childbirth, and games and play. Although there are more than one hundred contributors, the quality of the diverse entries is consistently high, and each is followed by see references and bibliographic entries for further reading. Photographs of artifacts and illustrations from the period accent the text. Surveys on various cultural medieval traditions, such as Arab-Islamic, Jewish, Scandinavian, Finno-Ugric, and more, add depth and new dimensions to the topic. In addition to a list of subjects atthe beginning and a detailed general index, the encyclopedia includes an index of tale types and an index of folkloric motifs, which makes this resource even easier to use. Overall, the encyclopedia is physically attractive and inviting. It is unique in its specific focus on medieval folklore and is well worth the price for most libraries, especially for school libraries where the curriculum warrants it or public libraries where local interest runs high. 2000, ABC-CLIO, Index, Illus., Photos, Biblio., Source Notes, Further Reading, 1,135p. in 2 vols., PLB. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Donna Scanlon VOYA, February 2001 (Vol. 23, No.6)
Library Journal
Editors Lindahl (English, Univ. of Houston), John Namara (English, Univ. of Houston), and John Lindow (Scandinavian studies, Berkeley) are convinced that "no matter how exciting our [modern] fantasies about the Middle Ages may be, the real thing was even more engaging." Attempting to define the folk cultures of the medieval world "in their own light and on their own terms," the encyclopedia makes no claims to comprehensiveness. Rather, it covers representative areas thoroughly, adding See also references and substantial recommendations for further reading and study. The book concentrates primarily on the British Isles, from 500 to 1500 C.E., but other active cultures of the time also receive significant treatment, especially insofar as they interacted with Western Europe. The editors use traditional tools of folklore study, reflected by the indexing of more than 300 entries by motif and tale type. This is the first work that treats medieval folklore exclusively rather than as an adjunct to another topic, and it is an excellent source for both amateurs and more serious scholars.--Katherine Kaigler-Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\
From The Critics
This outstanding, two volume, AZ guide to the folk and supernatural lore of the Middle Ages is a 'must' reference for any collegelevel library where folkloric or history studies is a central part of the curriculum. Articles reveal the myths of peoples around the world, with over a hundred contributors from the U.S. and Europe providing entries and illustrations. These provide either quick reference or source material serving as a foundation for further research.
