The Quest For The Holy
Grail
While
they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it
and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then
he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink
from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out
for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:17-30 New International Version (NIV)
 |
| The Last Supper, ca. 1520, Andrea Solari, after Leonardo da Vinci ~ Wikipedia |
This
was to be the last supper before Jesus' arrest and horrific crucifixion. It is
said that the cup that Jesus used on that fateful night was also used to
catch his blood as he hung on the cross.
Joseph of Arimathea and The Holy Grail.
When Joseph of Arimathea found his way to Albion, he brought the sacred Chalice with him. Joseph settled in The Island of Glass (Glastonbury) and here he hid the Holy Grail down a sacred well. The water of the well instantly turned red and tasted of blood.
When Joseph of Arimathea found his way to Albion, he brought the sacred Chalice with him. Joseph settled in The Island of Glass (Glastonbury) and here he hid the Holy Grail down a sacred well. The water of the well instantly turned red and tasted of blood.
 |
| The Chalice Well Gardens ~ Glastonbury |
The
Grail's hiding place remained a secret for many years, and over time it became
the stuff of legends. The stuff of folklore.
 |
| The Chalice Well |
Chrétien de Troyes and Arthurian Legend
At the end of the 12th Century, Chrétien de Troyes, a French poet, took up the story of the Grail. He wove the story of the Grail into the story of King Arthur and his Knights.
At the end of the 12th Century, Chrétien de Troyes, a French poet, took up the story of the Grail. He wove the story of the Grail into the story of King Arthur and his Knights.
 |
| Chrétien de Troyes ~ Wikipedia |
The
importance of de Troyes influence on Arthurian legend cannot be overlooked. It
is de Troyes that introduced us to Lancelot and the love triangle. It is de Troyes
that first introduced the idea of the Knights Quest for the Holy Grail. He
also introduced us to the knight that would discover the Grail's hiding place — Sir Percival.
 |
| Perceval, the Story of the Grail. |
If
nothing else, de Troyes certainly sparked the imagination of the populace, for
what could be more romantic than these chivalrous, heroic knights, searching
for the sacred cup of their religion?
Robert
de Boron (late 12th Century French Poet) went into even more detail when he took up the story.
 |
| The Holy Grail of Valencia, with the cup made from a piece of agate carved during the time of Christ ~ Wikipedia |
But
it was Vulgate Cycle (Lancelot-Grail), which was written in the 13th Century by
an unknown author that really cemented the Grail Quest with Arthur and his Knights.
The
central character of the story is Lancelot. However, instead of Percival being the
ultimate Grail hunting knight, it is Lancelot's son, Galahad.
 |
| George Frederick Watts (1817 - 1904) ~ Wikipedia |
The Holy Grail and Arthurian Legend
(An abridged version!)
(An abridged version!)
Whitsunday (the eve of Pentecost), Camelot.
One
day a woman of great beauty came to Arthur's court. She was immediately taken
with Lancelot — who wasn't? She asked Lancelot if he would consent to a walk in
the woods. Lancelot agreed, and the two set off for what Lancelot assumed would
be a romantic stroll. Was he in for a surprise!
The lady led Lancelot to a convent, and there waiting for him were his cousins — Sir Bors and Sir Lionel.
The Abbess introduced Lancelot to a handsome young man. She asked if Lancelot would be so kind as to knight him. There was a moment of shared bemusement between the cousin, but Lancelot agreed to the nun’s request.
The lady led Lancelot to a convent, and there waiting for him were his cousins — Sir Bors and Sir Lionel.
The Abbess introduced Lancelot to a handsome young man. She asked if Lancelot would be so kind as to knight him. There was a moment of shared bemusement between the cousin, but Lancelot agreed to the nun’s request.
Sir
Bors could not help but notice that there was something strangely familiar about
the young man. He was the image of Lancelot. Lancelot took a closer look at the young man and
conceded that this was his child. Who knew...?
Not long after, the Knights were summoned back to Camelot for a meeting at the Round Table.
There was an empty chair pulled up to the Round Table. This chair was known as the Siege Perilous. This chair was waiting for that one special knight who would find the Holy Grail. It just so happens that this special knight was Lancelot son, Galahad. Galahad took his place with the
chosen few.
 |
When
Galahad sat down an image of the Grail floated above the table. There could be no
mistake. God wanted Arthur and his Knights to find the Grail.
 | |||
| The Holy Grail, by Évrard d'Espinques c. 1475 ~ Wikipedia |
This was by far the greatest quest the knights have ever been on. While they set off in groups, Galahad decided to go it alone, but alas, he was not successful. The Grail continued to be elusive. Eventually, Galahad was reunited with Bors and Percival.
Percival's sister showed them where the Grail ship was, but unfortunately, she died, and Bors offered to take her body back home.
Percival's sister showed them where the Grail ship was, but unfortunately, she died, and Bors offered to take her body back home.
 |
| How Sir Galahad, Sir Bors and Sir Percival were Fed with the Sanc Grael; But Sir Percival's Sister Died by the Way, an 1864 watercolour by Dante Gabriel Rossetti ~ Wikipedia |
Galahad
had a vision, and he saw things that no mere mortal man could ever imagine. He now knew where the Grail was hidden. He explained to his fellow knights that
the Grail was in Briton, but despite the code of chivalry, Camelot was unworthy to be its keeper. The Grail had to be taken to Sarras (a mystical land) — this was a
command from God and must be obeyed.
The
Grail was on the ship, waiting for them, and they took it to Sarras. They watch
in amazement as the cup was lifted to the heavens and disappeared.
Galahad,
after seeing the Grail, made a rather odd request. He asked that he may be allowed to
die at a time of his choosing. After a visit with Joseph of Arimathea, which was
truly glorious, he made his request to die. He said goodbye to Percival and
Bors, and the angels came down and took him to heaven.
 |
| Image of Galahad from a tapestry by Edward Burne-Jones, c. 1894 ~ Wikipedia |
The
Grail has never been seen on earth, from this day on, for it has gone home.
What did the Church think of this story?
The
idea of a magic cup - cauldron - was a very common theme in Celtic myths, not
so much the Bible. It was, in short, a pagan tale that was rewritten by a
French poet with a socially acceptable Christian theme. But it captured the
imagination of the country and has been associated with Arthur and his Knights
ever since.
Reference
Unless otherwise stated all images can be found on Pixabay.
Reference
Unless otherwise stated all images can be found on Pixabay.
The Du Lac Chronicles
If
you fancy finding out what happened after the death of King Arthur then
why not check out my award-winning historical fantasy series — The Du Lac
Chronicles.
Read for free with
