Includes bibliographical references and index.

"This exciting book offers readers an examination of the world of medieval myth and its historical roots. It brings an ancient culture to life as never before. As a result, this is a world history like no other. It is filled with the strange stories, mystic rites, angry gods, vision quests, and magic symbols at the heart of all cultures but left out of most history books. Such myths are central to understanding how, since the dawn of time, people around the world have sought to explain birth, death, creation, love, and other mysteries of life"--Provided by publisher.