In medieval legends and literature, the Holy Grail is a popular tale to tell. To the Christians, the Holy Grail is the chalice of the Last Supper that was supposedly used by Jesus. It may appear in different forms, such as a chalice, cup, or dish. Other times, it is simply a stone or a caldron that catches the drops of blood from a lance. In this article, you will learn more about the Holy Grail.
The Holy Grail is believed to possess phenomenal powers that could supply food or heal. However, you have to be a pure knight in order to come in contact with the chalice. The Arthurian legends involve the Holy Grail because shed light on some of the purest of knights, which includes Parsifal (also known as Sir Percivale and a later form of a hero belonging to Celtic myth) and Galahad (a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table). King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table appear in myths as searching for the Holy Grail. Galahad is one of three that were successful in coming in contact with the relic.
In addition to all of the tales centered on the Holy Grail, there is also an alleged connection to the medieval organization known as the Knights Templar, which further adds to the mystery. Some say that the Knights were actually keepers of the Holy Grail.
Because of the magic associated with the Holy Grail, it has appeared in numerous stories, controversial books and movies, including the “Quest for the Holy Grail.” Some of the tales incorporate Celtic myth, Christianity and ancient cult beliefs. Movies, such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “The DaVinci Code” have incorporated the Holy Grail in the tales. The cup is supposed to have caught the blood of Jesus Christ at the crucifixion, which is why it is viewed as a holy relic. To this day, treasure seekers and history buffs have been motivated to locate the original Holy Grail.
The Holy Grail in Literature
Usually, Holy Grail literature concentrates on King Arthur and his Knights or the history of the Grail in reference to Joseph of Arimathea. Examples of the Holy Grail appearing in literature include:
”¢ Chretien de Troyes ”“ Chretien de Troyes wrote “Perceval, le Conte du Graal” (The Story of the Grail), which is one of the first times that the Grail appears in publication. Troyes claims that he received a great deal of his information from a source book given to him by Count Philip of Flanders, who was his patron. He wrote an incomplete poem (dated between 1180 and 1191). Troyes would be known for creating the earliest and most influential text that includes the Grail. In his work, he refers to ‘a grail.’
”¢ Robert de Baron ”“ Robert de Boron is responsible for mentioning the reference of the ‘Holy Grail’ in print was somewhere between 1191 and 1202. In his work, he introduces a verse that includes Joseph d’ Arinmathie, who is in possession of the chalice of the Last Supper, which is used to collect Christ’s blood following his removal from the cross. Joseph is jailed, where Christ visits and gives an explanation of the mysteries surrounding the blessed cup.