While this time of year is usually reserved for holiday cheer, festivities, and goodwill, we opted to tread a darker path and look at some of the more bizarre stories (what we might today call ‘urban legends’) that circulated during the Middle Ages. As we approach winter solstice – the shortest and darkest day of the year – this final issue of 2022 will cover unusual and mysterious folktales.

We explore some lesser-known stories, such as Iceland’s Bjorn the man-bear – a strange saga that features love, cannibalism, and magic. Then there are tales that have survived to the present day, such as the infamous Pied Piper of Hamelin – a legend with several theories that range from the innocuous to the rather sinister. We also look at the Byzantine legend of Digenes Akrites, a story of love and violence along the Roman-Arab frontier. Finally, we delve into the meaning behind the Unicorn Tapestries and examine the strange life and legend of the Czech saint, Procopius of Sázava.

Outside of our theme, we look at the history of Castle Tarasp, a medieval cultural bastion that now hosts contemporary art exhibitions – a fusion of past and present under one roof. We also look at the famous Hereford Mappa Mundi, and last but not least, we unravel one of the most famous medieval forgeries, the Donation of Constantine.

However you celebrate, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, we wish you a very happy holiday season. Stay safe, stay warm, and see you in 2023!