The fantasy of the Middle Ages : an epic journey through imaginary medieval worlds / Larisa Grollemond and Bryan C. Keene.

Issued on the occasion of the exhibition Fantasy of the Middle Ages, on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center, Los Angeles, from June 21 to September 11, 2022.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Foreword / Timothy Potts -- Preface / Michele Clapton -- Introduction: An Arthur tale for every generation ; Mapping mythical Medieval worlds ; Postmedieval fantasy ; Defining Medieval, Medievalism, and fantasy -- Once upon a time in the Middle Ages: The Medieval imagination ; The boundary between history and fantasy ; Whose Middle Ages? ; Modern Medievalisms -- Knights and princesses: The cast of characters of the Middle Ages ; Medieval gender roles expanded and their afterlives examined ; "Who run the world?" ; Beyond binaries -- And they lived happily ever after: A magical Middle Ages ; Nature, the cosmos, and occult practices ; Reynard and Robin Hood: The case of talking animals ; From fairy tales to fantasy -- Medieval times: Staging the Middle Ages ; Tournaments and pageantry ; Reenacting the past ; Reconstructing the Middle Ages: Castles and cathedrals -- Screen time: A cinematic fantasy Middle Ages ; The reel Middle Ages; Lutes and flutes ; Costume and set design -- Epilogue: A Medieval future of the past.

"From the soaring castles of Sleeping Beauty to the bloody battles of Game of Thrones, from Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings to mythical beasts in Dungeons & Dragons, and from Medieval Times to the Renaissance Faire, the Middle Ages have inspired artists, playwrights, filmmakers, gamers, and writers for centuries. Indeed, no other historical era has captured the imaginations of so many creators. This volume aims to uncover the many reasons why the Middle Ages have proven so applicable to a variety of modern moments from the eighteenth through the twenty-first century. These "medieval" worlds are often the perfect ground for exploring contemporary cultural concerns and anxieties, saying much more about the time and place in which they were created than they do about the actual conditions of the medieval period. With over 140 color illustrations, from sources ranging from thirteenth-century illuminated manuscripts to contemporary films and video games, and a preface by Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton, The Fantasy of the Middle Ages will surprise and delight both enthusiasts and scholars." -- Provided by publisher.

"This illustrated book explores the impact of medieval imagery on three hundred years of visual culture up until the present day"-- Provided by publisher.