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1. Epic heroes

Go to Intro 2. Modern Sagas 3. Medieval Mysteries 4. A sense of justice
5. Medieval Japan

There is an age to read epic texts and enjoy them: the younger the better, because your heart is easily inflamed and your thoughts are simple. So most of these texts should be read when you are between 10 and 15 years old. If you enjoy them later, good for you, but then when will you have time for Proust, Joyce and Kafka? However, do not misunderstand me: I think that all the following gests are essential reading.

Each of the tribes that invaded Europe when the Roman empire fell apart built its own heroes and legends. The stories of these heroes were related in stories that were long told around before they were eveer written, as most of the population could not read. This kind of literature is epic, just as Homer poetry in ancient Greece. These epics are worth reading. The French have la chanson de Roland, which takes place under King Charlemagne (in 700 something) and relates a battle between the king and the Spanish city of Saragossa, then belonging to Saracens. The knight Roland is betrayed by his step-father and dies during a treacherous attack, sounding his bugle to be avenged by Charlemagne. When she hears of his death, his bride falls on the ground and dies on the spot. Charlemagne conquers the Saracens and converts them by force. The story was written at some time in the 12th century. Lots of the beautiful images used in the poems stood the test of time: we still say for instance a "flourishing" beard, and "douce France", sweet France. Get the gist of it here

Wolfram von Eschenbach wrote the story of Parzival, in search of the Holy Grail. This story inspired Wagner's opera. Wagner is easy to follow, because each hero has its own theme, so the same musical theme always announces the same person.

Cuchullain is an Irish hero who does not care if he dies, provided he is remembered for his great deeds. Translated by Belfast poet Ciaran Carson but also Thomas Kinsella as The Tain.

The Spanish had Mocedades de Rodrigo, the start of the legend of El Cid, who kills the father of his bride to be. The Cid was turned into a play by Corneille in the 17th century and became a classic for French high school students. It is a movie with Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren

The story of Dyl Ulenspegel was written in low Saxon, which was spoken in Northern Germany and the Netherlands. The legend was retold in French by a 19th century Belgian writer: Charles de Coster, The Legend of Thyl Ulenspiegel where it takes nationalist overtones. Thyl fights for freedom like Robin Hood. In this version, he is a Flemish protestant and his father has been burned at the stake by the Spanish who had conquerred the country. Thyl carries ashes of his father around his neck and says "Les cendres de Klaas battent sur mon coeur" (my father's ashes beat on my heart).

Finally, over the centuries, the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail became the main blockbuster. Camelot is the English castle where Arthur and his knights gather around a round table and discuss christian virtues (the castle of Camelot, I am sad to say, seems to be a legend). A large part of the story in concerned with the quest of the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus used at the last supper. There are enough books and movies to make your head spin. Start with the real thing: Le Morte Darthur (Norton Critical Editions) by Sir Thomas Malory or the beloved version of Howard Pyle, more accesible to kids of all ages: The Story of King Arthur and His Knights (Unabridged Classics, essential book).
In terms of movies, there is plenty of choices, but you might try First Knight which is pleasant if not super "great"(you can also read Elizabeth Chadwick). Loads of people prefer the movie Excalibur, a superb classic.