Thomas Bulfinch — American Writer born on July 15, 1796, died on May 27, 1867

Thomas Bulfinch was an American writer born in Newton, Massachusetts, best known for the book Bulfinch's Mythology... (wikipedia)

Without a knowledge of mythology much of the elegant literature of our own language cannot be understood and appreciated.
For Mythology is the handmaid of literature; and literature is one of the best allies of virtue and promoters of happiness.
Thus we hope to teach mythology not as a study, but as a relaxation from study; to give our work the charm of a story-book, yet by means of it to impart a knowledge of an important branch of education.
The word Chivalry is derived from the French cheval, a horse.
Mail armor continued in general use till about the year 1300, when it was gradually supplanted by plate armor, or suits consisting of pieces or plates of solid iron, adapted to the different parts of the body.