Mélusine in the Bath

Chronicled in two medieval novels, by Jean d'Arras and Coudrette, at the turn of the 15th century, the story of Melusine is that of the fairy who founded the Lusignan family. When she marries Raymondin, he promises not to insist on seeing her on Saturdays. But here we see him discovering the secret of Melusine, half-woman half-snake, leading to her transformation into a dragon and her departure from this world.
Blending ancient myths of aquatic fertility with Christian morality, the medieval fairy is ambivalent, bestial and even diabolical, symbolizing feminine duplicity, but also a provider and an exemplary mother. The age of women in fantasy has evolved and their link with dragons is now more highly valued, as in Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern (from 1968) or in Rachel Hartman's Seraphina (2013).