Book excerpt: "The legend of Theophilus is translated into most European languages and appears in stained glass, sculpture, and manuscripts. Its colorful details of a man who sold his soul to the Devil, was saved by the Virgin, and became a model for Christians reveal the medieval period's deep fear of hell and the Devil and its high hopes in the Virgin and the Church. This is the first English translation of Gautier de Coinci's pre-Faustian version of the legend of Theophilus, presented in a facing page translation with the original Old French, along with a full introduction and notes"--