Melusine-Despina of Heracles

With their banners raised high, they rush against the Saracens. Warriors with shields, spears and swords gallop across the area. Arrows with iron tips tear the air, whistling and scattering death. The warriors from Poitiers, with the cry of "Lusignan! Lusignan!", pour into the battle.

Chivalric tales of superhuman feats, great loves, broken oaths, curses, magical creatures, friendships, betrayals and secrets compose this charming fairy tale novel that is based on myths and truths. The medieval legend of the beautiful fairy Melusine is found in variations in many European countries.

However, everything is based on the true history of the French House of Lusignan, which reigned in many European and Mediterranean places, including Cyprus, from the 12th to the 15th centuries.

"Is King Alexander alive?" his sister the mermaid asked the ships. The correct answer was: "He lives and reigns and conquers the world."

The same thing happens in this book with the charming myth of Melusine. Once again, the true story inspires, excites the imagination and goes even further. It inspires first the folk storyteller, then medieval writers, today Despina Heracleous, and tomorrow perhaps others.

The true story of the Lusignans is told in the book's Epimeter, just as charmingly as the author, by History professor Angel Nicolaou-Konnari. The Lusignans, from Poitou in western France, imposed their presence in many places, including Jerusalem and Cilician Armenia. During the Third Crusade, they purchased (in 1192) Cyprus from the legendary Richard the Lionheart and ruled the island for three centuries. During this time, there were revolutions, civil wars and temporary occupations by invaders.

In the book, historical events are transformed into myths with great imagination. Melusine, daughter of the King of Scotland and a fairy, also a fairy, is secretly transformed every Saturday into a kind of reptile. No one is allowed to see her. With this condition and oath, she marries Raymond in France and becomes the progenitor of the Lusignan dynasty. Under her guidance, cities, castles and towers are built in a magically short time. They have ten children, all with very strange features in appearance but also unsurpassed chivalric virtues, who with their sword spread throughout the world. One Saturday, however, Raymond breaks his oath and watches with horror the transformation of Melusine. It is the end, although the descendants of the Lusignans live and reign for many, many more years.
The story of the book concludes in the "sweet land of Cyprus", a great crossroads of civilizations. However, the legend of Melusine does not end there, because like all legends, it is indestructible, constantly captivating generations and generations.

Author: Despina Irakleous
Illustrator: Chryso Charalambous
Pages: 232
Dimensions: 14 X 20.5 cm
ISBN: 9789604712441
Ages: 11+