Sign up to The National Archives' mailing list for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.

Free UK delivery on all orders over £50
Menu
0

Sign up to The National Archives' mailing list for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.

Free UK delivery on all orders over £50
    0

    Your Bag is Empty

    • Census Book Cover
    Tracing Your Ancestors Using DNA
    Magna Carta Mug
    Soft Toy Rat
    Replica Packs
    Replica Victory Medal
    Medieval Whit Hart Tie
    Swan Silk Scarf
    Handmade Leather Journal
    Notecard Sets
    Captives Book
    Tales From The Captain's Log Book
    Thames Map
    Bradshaw's Handbook
    Coming To England Book
    Flo of the Somme Book
    Poppy Embroidered Brooch
    Guy Fawkes Decoration
    Custom Prints
    Custom Prints
    Home > Medieval Books > Introducing The Medieval Swan
    Introducing The Medieval Swan

    Introducing The Medieval Swan

    £11.99
    2 items left
    Add To Wish List Icon
    Add to Wishlist
    Description
    What comes to mind when we think of swans? Likely their beauty in domestic settings, their preserved status, their association with royalty, and possibly even the phrase 'swan song'. This book explores the emergence of each of these ideas, starting with an examination of the medieval swan in natural history, exploring classical writings and their medieval interpretations and demonstrating how the idea of a swan's song developed. The book then proceeds to consider literary motifs of swan-to-human transformation, particularly the legend of the Knight of the Swan.

    Although this legend is known today only through Wagner's opera, it was a best-seller in the Middle Ages, and courts throughout Europe strove to be associated as ancestors of this Swan Knight. Consequently, the swan was projected as an icon of courtly and eventual royal status. The book's third chapter looks at the swan as icon of the Lancasters, particularly important during the reign of Richard II and the War of the Roses, and the final chapter examines the swan as an important item of feasting, focusing on cookery and husbandry to argue that over time the right to keep swans became an increasingly restricted right controlled by the English crown.

    Each of the swan's medieval associations are explored as they developed over time to the modern day.
    DELIVERY

    We offer free standard UK delivery on all orders over £50.

    Orders up to £30 are charged a flat fee of £4.95

    Orders between £30.01 and £50 are charged a flat fee of £6.95.

    Usual UK delivery timescale (excluding custom prints) is between 5 and 7 working days from the date of dispatch. Please allow up to 14 working days for delivery. For custom print delivery pricing and timescales see below.

    Royal Mail industrial action taking place in 2023 may have an impact on delivery times to all destinations both within the UK and internationally. These delays are out of our control. 

    Delivery Worldwide

    We can also ship most items worldwide. 

    For full details, including prices, click here.

    Custom Prints

    Your prints and frames will be handmade by King & McGaw at their Sussex workshop.

    Unframed orders are shipped within 5 working days (normally shipped next day).

    Framed orders are shipped within 20 working days.

    Further information on delivery timescales for custom prints can be found here.

    RETURNS

    If you are not completely satisfied with your item you may return it within 28 days for a refund.

    For further details on returns click here.

    Unfortunately we cannot offer a refund on custom prints unless they are faulty or we have made a mistake. Custom prints are exempt as they are made to order.

    Manufacturer/Publisher: University of Wales
    Binding: Paperback
    Author: Nathalie Jayne Goodison
    Date Published: 2022
    Pagination: 184p

    SKU: 9781786838391