Prester John

American  

[pres-ter] / ˈprɛs tər /

noun

1. a legendary Christian monk and potentate of the Middle Ages, supposed to have had a kingdom in some remote part of Asia or Africa and associated with fabulous narratives of travel.

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Prester John British  

/ ˈprɛstə /

noun

1. a legendary Christian priest and king, believed in the Middle Ages to have ruled in the Far East, but identified in the 14th century with the king of Ethiopia

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Etymology

Origin of Prester John

C14 Prestre Johan, from Medieval Latin presbyter Iohannes Priest John

Example Sentences

The legendary Christian kingdom led by Prester John was said to be hidden there, for example.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

He considered forging an anti-Muslim alliance with Prester John, the mythical king of a Christian realm beyond the Sahara.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

Supposedly set in the time of King Arthur, the travels through Central Asia, the character of Prester John and the shining armor had nothing to do with Camelot.

From New York Times • Dec. 29, 2017

These alternative perspectives are threaded through the narrative; both sets of letters converge on the legends of Prester John, the mythical, eastern king.

From The Guardian • Mar. 13, 2013

Henry the Navigator had been attracted by the story of Prester John, the legendary Christian king of Abyssinia, who was said to rule over a large part of Africa.

From The Century of Columbus by Walsh, James J.