Prester John

The legend of Prester John (also Presbyter John), popular in Europe from the 12th through the 17th centuries, told of a mythical Christian patriarch and king said to rule over a Christian nation lost amidst the Muslims and pagans in the Orient. Reportedly a descendant of one of the Three Magi, Prester John was said to be a generous ruler and a virtuous man, with a realm full of riches and strange creatures, in which the Patriarch of St. Thomas resided. His kingdom was first imagined to be India, but later accounts shifted it to Central Asia and Ethiopia.

The end of the legend

When 17th century academics like Hiob Ludolf proved that there was no actual native connection between Prester John and the Ethiopian monarchs, the fabled king left the maps for good. But the legend had affected several hundred years of European and world history, directly and indirectly, by encouraging Europe's explorers, missionaries, scholars and treasure hunters.

Related Topics:
17th century - Hiob Ludolf

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Though the prospect of finding Prester John had long since vanished, the myth continued to inspire through the 20th century. In 1910 British novelist and politician John Buchan used the legend in his sixth book, Prester John, to suppliment a plot about a Zulu uprising in South Africa. Though tainted with the common racial stereotypes and caricatures of its day, the book was popular, and exists as an excellent example of the early 20th century adventure novel. Perhaps due to Buchan's work, Prester John appeared in pulp fiction and comics, such as Prince Valiant, throughout the century.

Related Topics:
20th century - 1910 - British - Novel - Politician - John Buchan - Zulu - South Africa - Racial stereotype - Adventure novel - Pulp fiction - Comics - Prince Valiant

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Prester John and his kingdom figure prominently in Umberto Eco's 2000 novel Baudolino. The titular protagonist enlists his friends to write the "Letter of Prester John", which he plans on sending to his stepfather Frederick Barbarossa to enhance his glory in the eyes of Europe. Eventually Baudolino and his friends determine to visit the priest's wonderful kindom, which turns out to be everything and nothing like they expected it to be.

Related Topics:
Umberto Eco - 2000 - Baudolino - Frederick Barbarossa

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