Songs & Tales Books

A New Book of Old Hymns: Large Print - $19.00
Veronica Brandt. A collection of hymns in Latin and English. Rounds, polyphony, sequences and lots of gregorian chant hymns and antiphons. Arranged around the Church's liturgical year. In large print - good for sharing! 92pp. Pb.

Ancient Irish Airs and Dances: 201 Classic Tunes Arranged for the Piano - $24.00
George Petrie. From the hopeful anticipation of "Mary, do you fancy me?" to the bitterness of "Hag, you've killed me," this extraordinary compilation of Irish melodies runs the emotional gamut, with melancholy airs and sprightly reels aplenty. Its source material, The Petrie Collection of the Ancient Music of Ireland, ranks among the most important 19th-century collections of traditional Irish music, with its song texts in both Irish and English, plus George Petrie's detailed notes about the music's origins. Out of print for many years, the Petrie Collection became an extremely rare and much sought-after collector's item; this new edition will bring the cherished old songs into the repertoire of any student or performer of traditional Irish music. Unabridged republication of the edition originally published by Pigott & Co., Dublin, 1877. 144pp. Pb.

Canterbury Tales - $15.00
Geoffry Chaucer. In The Canterbury Tales Chaucer created one of the great touchstones of English literature, a masterly collection of chivalric romances, moral allegories and low farce. A story-telling competition between a group of pilgrims from all walks of life is the occasion for a series of tales that range from the Knight's account of courtly love and the ebullient Wife of Bath's Arthurian legend, to the ribald anecdotes of the Miller and the Cook. This version of the text has been translated into modern English by Nevill Coghill. 528pp. Pb.

Celtic Fairy Tales - $21.00
Joseph Jacobs. We are all familiar with the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Although they are great stories, those of us of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Manx or any other area peopled by the Celts should share these tales with our children and grandchildren. 168pp. Pb.

Celtic Gods and Heroes - $9.00
Marie-Louise Sjoestedt. Noted French scholar and linguist discusses the gods of the continental Celts, the beginnings of mythology in Ireland, heroes, and the two main categories of Irish deities: mother-goddesses — local, rural spirits of fertility or of war — and chieftain-gods: national deities who are magicians, nurturers, craftsmen, and protectors of the people. 128pp. Pb.

Creation/Nativity/Crucifixion - $13.00
John Deeth. An adaptation for small companies from Medieval mystery cycles of Wakefield and York, Creation/Nativity/Crucifixion covers the Old Testament stories of Creation, the Fall and Noah and the Nativity and Crucifixion stories. They can be played singly or as a trilogy. 68pp. Pb.

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads: Vol 1 - $39.00
Francis James Child. Published between 1882 and 1898, this definitive collection compiles all the extant ballads with all known variants and features Child's commentary for each work. Volume 1 includes Parts I and II of the original set — ballads 1-53: "Edward," "Lord Randal," "Tam Lin," "Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight," more. Unabridged republication of the works originally published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, Boston, between 1882 and 1898. 544pp. Pb.

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads: Vol 2 - $39.00
Francis James Child. Published between 1882 and 1898, this definitive collection compiles all the extant ballads with all known variants and features Child's commentary for each work. Volume II includes Parts III & IV of the original set — ballads 54–113: "Sir Patrick Spens," "Johnie Scot," "Child Maurice," "Fair Margaret and Sweet William," more. Unabridged republication of the works originally published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, Boston, between 1882 and 1898. 544pp. Pb.

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads: Vol 3 - $39.00
Francis James Child. Published between 1882 and 1898, this definitive collection compiles all the extant ballads with all known variants and features Child's commentary for each work. Volume III includes Parts V and VI of the original set — ballads 114–188: "Mary Hamilton," "Flodden Field," "Sir Andrew Barton," and more than 30 ballads about Robin Hood. Unabridged republication of the works originally published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, Boston, between 1882 and 1898. 544pp. Pb.

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads: Vol 4 - $39.00
Francis James Child. Published between 1882 and 1898, this definitive collection compiles all the extant ballads with all known variants and features Child's commentary for each work. Volume IV includes Parts VII and VIII of the original set — ballads 189-265: including "Rob Roy," "Sir James the Rose," "Geordie," "The Gypsy Laddie," "The New-Slain Knight," more. Unabridged republication of the works originally published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, Boston, between 1882 and 1898. 544pp. Pb.

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads: Vol 5 - $39.00
Francis James Child. Published between 1882 and 1898, this definitive collection compiles all the extant ballads with all known variants and features Child's commentary for each work. Volume 5 includes Parts IX and X of the original set — ballads 266-305 — plus a 3000-item bibliography, indexes, glossary, musical selections and an essay by Walter Morris Hart. Unabridged republication of the works originally published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, Boston, between 1882 and 1898. 640pp. Pb.

English Keyboard Music Before the Nineteenth Century - $19.00
John Caldwell. English keyboard art from Robertsbridge Codex (c. 1325) to John Field. Illuminating coverage of organ, harpsichord, pianoforte, other instruments; works of Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, Tomkins, many others. 352pp. Pb.

Everyman and Other Miracle & Morality Plays - $4.00
Anonymous. Most durable of medieval morality plays, in which the central character, summoned by death, must face final judgment on the strength of his good deeds. Reprinted here along with four other medieval classics: The Second Shepherd's Play, Abraham and Isaac, Noah's Flood and Hickscorner. All from standard texts. 96pp. Pb.

Heimskringla: or the Lives of Norse Kings - $39.00
Snorri Sturluson. The great classic by an Icelandic poet/chieftain chronicles the reigns of 16 high kings descended from the warrior-wizard god Odin. There is a major section on 15-year reign of Olav II Haraldson, patron saint of Norway. Based on earlier histories, oral traditions, plus new material by author, all presented with intelligence, warmth and objectivity. 832pp. Pb.

John Dowland's Lute Songs: 3rd & 4th Books - $24.00
Transcribed for voice and guitar and edited by David Nadal. Unsurpassed in his day as a lute virtuoso, John Dowland (1563–1626) today continues to delight singers, musicians, and music lovers alike. This collection of 45 songs includes all the works in Dowland's original third and fourth books of lute songs, the composer's contributions to his son's anthology of 1610, and a dance for solo guitar — all in an affordable, handsomely engraved edition that is both practical and scholarly. 144pp. Pb.

The Mabinogion - $20.00
Lady Charlotte E Guest (translator). King Arthur was at Caerleon upon Usk; and one day he sat in his chamber; and with him were Owain the son of Urien, and Kynon the son of Clydno, and Kai the son of Kyner; and Gwenhwyvar and her handmaidens at needlework by the window. And if it should be said that there was a porter at Arthur’s palace, there was none. Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr was there, acting as porter, to welcome guests and strangers, and to receive them with honour, and to inform them of the manners and customs of the Court; and to direct those who came to the Hall or to the presence-chamber, and those who came to take up their lodging. The Mabinogion is a collection of storys from medieval Welsh manuscripts. It is of interest both to scholars, and to those who simply enjoy a good tale. 344pp. Pb.

The Mediaeval Stage - $36.00
E K Chambers. Comprehensive, groundbreaking work encompasses vast amount of material — from the demise of ancient Roman spectacles (c. 400 AD) to a new class of professional players by the 16th-century. Excellent accounts of wandering minstrels, mimes, mummers, miracle and morality plays, puppet shows, dramatic pageants, liturgical plays and much more. An indispensable reference for historians, students of English theater and anyone interested in medieval life. 960pp. Pb.

Medieval Lays & Legends of Marie de France - $13.00
An artful storyteller whose tales continue to enthrall modern readers, the twelfth-century poet known as Marie de France transformed folklore and legends into a distinctive variety of romance. Knights, fairies, princes in disguise, and werewolves populate her captivating variations on Arthurian myths and other stories of magic and mystery. Many of her tales are rooted in Celtic and Breton traditions; seven centuries later, her rhythmic and colored language retains its charm and offers insights into medieval customs and philosophy. In addition, this volume features two famous medieval romances, "A Story of Beyond the Sea" and "The Chatelaine of Vergi." 240pp. Pb.

Medieval Romances - $24.00
Roger Sherman Loomis & Laura Hibbard Loomis. Romances in the medieval time were tales of high adventure and chivalry - not necessarily love stories. Included here are some of the classic tales of this time, such as Percival, Tristan and Isolt, Sir Orfeo, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and many more. 426pp. Pb.

Njal's Saga: or The Story of Burnt Njal - $18.00
George Webbe Dasent (translator). An authoritative and authentic edition of the great Norse Medieval epic. This thirteenth-century saga is perhaps the capstone of Icelandic literary achievement. Recounting a long and costly blood feud, these stories are a document on Viking civic and legal institutions, a cogent exposition on Icelandic religious practices, and of course, stirring tales of battle and conquest. 400pp. Pb.

Norse Gods and Goddesses - $6.00
Jeff A Menges. Exciting coloring book introduces colorists to the ancient legends and exploits of Nordic deities. Fourteen large illustrations, with text on facing pages, describe the feats of Odin, the Father of the gods; Aegir, the much-feared master of the seas; Thor and his mighty hammer; the mischievous Loki; and other mythical figures. 32pp. Pb.

One Hundred English Folk Songs - $27.00
Cecil J Sharp. Border ballads, folksongs, collected from all over Great Britain. "Lord Bateman," "Henry Martin," "The Green Wedding," many others. Piano. 235pp. Pb.

Selected Canterbury Tales - $4.00
Geoffry Chaucer. Delightful collection includes the General Prologue plus three of the most popular tales: "The Knight's Tale," "The Miller's Prologue and Tale," and "The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale." Recast in modern English verse that captures the lively spirit of the originals. 144pp. Pb.

The Wakefield Cycle of Mystery Plays (Or the Towneley Cycle) - $52.00
Anonymous. The Wakefield or Towneley Mystery Plays are a series of thirty-two mystery plays based on the Bible most likely performed around Corpus Christi day in (again, most likely) the town of Wakefield, England during the late Middle Ages until 1576. It is one of only four surviving English mystery play cycles. The unique manuscript, now housed at the Huntington Library, San Marino, California, originated in the mid-fifteenth century. The manuscript came into the possession of the Towneley family in 1814, who lent their name it. Although almost the entire manuscript is in a fifteenth-century hand, the cycle was performed as early as the fourteenth century in an earlier form. The Wakefield Cycle is most renowned for the inclusion of "The Second Shepherds' Play," one of the jewels of medieval theatre. 461pp. Pb.

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Modern Historical Fiction

Murder at The War: a Modern Day Mystery with a Medieval Setting - $20.00
Mary Monica Pulver. What happens when someone dies at an SCA event? He or she gets taken to Resurrection Point, and then rejoins the fight. But this time, the death is real...