The following annotated
bibliography on werewolves and lycanthropes was written by Martine
Evans for Dr. Wheeler's English 199 Class ("Writings About
Medieval Monsters") on July 19, 2001. It includes two entries later
added by Dr. Wheeler.
Annotated Bibliography on Unicorns
Birrell, Anne.
Chinese Mythology. The John Hopkins University Press 1993.
This book is a historical recollection of myths
about Ki-Rin (Chinese Unicorns) and other mythological beliefs in
the Orient.
Golfredsen, Lise. The Unicorn.
New York: Abbeville Press, 1999.
Unicorns in art, Medieval Civilization. A broad
view of unicorns in art and medieval culture. Goes into possible origin
of unicorns and why they were "sacred" to medieval people.
Finney, Patricia. Unicorn's Blood.
New York: Picador USA, 1998.
Great Britain, History of Elizabethan period
(1558-1603), historical fiction. Elaborates upon the Christian allegorical
significance of the unicorn, its sacrifice in particular and the "holiness"
of its blood.
Salvatore, Cavallo Adolfo. The
Unicorn Tapestries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York:
The Museum; H. N. Abrams, 1998.
Hunt of the unicorn, Gothic tapestries. France,
art and myth combined. Explains the human/medieval fascination with
unicorns and why they may have actually been "tall tales"
or folklore relating to observations of rhinoceroses.
Shepherd, Odell. The Lore of the Unicorn.
1930; rpt., London, 1942.
[Not Yet Examined, Unavailable at
Knight Library]
South, Malcolm. Mythical and Fabulous
Beasts: A Source Book and Research Guide. NY: Greenwood P, 1987.
Absolutely indispensable. A treasure-hoard
of information. Has a glossary of some of the more important fabulous
creatures, and will make a great starting spot for any research. Decent
bibliography, and a taxonomic chart at the back of book. Doesn't limit
itself to medieval material--also has stuff about monsters in modern
literature, such as Stephen King. Available at Knight Library. Short
Bibliography. Still, two thumbs up. Five stars.
Suhr, Elmer G. "An Interpretation of the
Unicorn." Folklore LXXV (1964), 91-109.
Folkloric spin on the Unicorn. A quick
read of only eighteen pages.
Williamson, John.
The Oak King, The Holly King, and The Unicorn: the Myths and Symbolism
of the Unicorn Tapestries. New York: Harper and Row, 1986.
Hunt of the unicorn, Gothic art, tapestries,
art and mythology. Book goes into specifics of where myth and history
converge, regarding folklore and historical facts related to certain
kings, kingdoms and the people in particular. Also discusses peopleÕs
beliefs in the unicorn and what significance these views had on their
culture, and how their culture also shaped the belief in a symbiotic
relationship.
