PRESTER JOHN

[Folklore] A legendary king and priest from the Middle Ages who ruled a mythical land believed to lie somewhere in Africa or Asia. In this land there were no poor, no thieves, no lies, and no vices. Prester John (also: Priest, or Presbyter) and his realm were first mentioned in a chronicle by a German bishop. It was believed that he ruled a monarchy built up by the Nestorian Christians and which was of considerable size and wealth. In the 14th and 15th century, it was generally believed to be the Christian kingdom of Abyssinia.