Nicholas Kinney

The Legend of the water nymph Mélusine was popular in medieval Europe. It is best known now from a prose romance by Jean d"Arras "The Roman de Mélusine" 1392-94, which blends fantasy and some factual accounts of Crusader activities in the Near East, It especially praises the writer"s patrons, the Lusignan family who proudly claimed that their dynasty was descended from the seductive legendary nymph with a terrible secret. Raymond of Poitou was in a hunting party in the forest when he became separated from his companions. He found himself in a softly lit place in the depths, lost and bewildered, listening to the sound of flowing water. There was a sparkling fountain and a woman splashing about in it. He inquired who she was and in a melodious voice she said her name was Mélusine. Raymond was bedazzled by her unearthly beauty.  Day became night and the forest creatures looked on as the huntsman fell in love in the moonlight with the sylvan nymph. Now Raymond did