legendes

Legendes is a term used in several European languages to describe traditional narratives that are tied to places, people, events, or beliefs. In Dutch and French, for example, legende or légende denotes stories that are passed down through generations and that blend elements of history, folklore, and sometimes miracle or myth. While they often claim a basis in real occurrences, legendes are not treated as strict historical records; their primary function is to convey meaning, memory, or values within a community.

Etymologically, many languages adopt a form derived from Latin legenda, meaning things to be read or told. Over time, legende material can be transmitted orally, in ballads or parish chronicles, and later appear in written compilations or popular literature. The content frequently centers on local landscapes, saints or heroes, or unexplained happenings associated with a place.

Legendes can be categorized into several types. Religious or hagiographic legends recount miracles or deeds of saints; local or folk legends attach to a town, feature, or natural landmark; and urban legends are modern, often anonymous stories presented as plausible events. Across these forms, legendes typically aim to explain origin, reinforce social norms, or entertain while fostering a sense of communal identity.

Scholars of folklore study legende as part of oral and literary traditions. They distinguish between legend, myth, and historical fact, recognizing that legende may preserve memory of real events while also diverging from verified history. See also folklore, myth, urban legend, hagiography.