Page:Curious myths of the Middle Ages (1876).djvu/236



There is a curious story told by Fordun in his “Scotichronicon,” by Matthew of Westminster in his Chronicle, and by Roger of Wendover in his “Flowers of History,” which has some interest in connection with the legend of the Tanhäuser. He relates that in the year 1050, a youth of noble birth had been married in Rome, and during the nuptial feast, being engaged in a game of ball, he took off his wedding-ring, and placed it on the finger of a statue of Venus. When he wished to resume it, he found that the stony hand had become clinched, so that it was impossible to remove the ring. Thenceforth he was haunted by the Goddess Venus, who constantly whispered in his ear, “Embrace me; I am Venus, whom you have wedded; I will never restore your ring.” However, by the assistance of a priest, she was at length forced to give it up to its rightful owner.

This story occurs also in Vincent of Beauvais, whose version will be found in the Appendix. Cæsarius of Heisterboch has also a story bearing a relation to that