The Holy Grail has become a central theme in Arthurian literature. Some historians have traced its association with Arthur as far back as some of the earliest legends about him. But the Grail first began to shine as a major Christian symbol in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

The Grail was said to be the cup of the Last Supper and at the Crucifixion to have received blood flowing from Christ's side. It was brought to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea, where it lay hidden for centuries. The search for the vessel became the principal quest of the knights of King Arthur.

 

THE LEGEND

 

The Holy Grail was a vessel used by Christ at the Last Supper. Given to his grand-uncle, St.

Joseph of Arimathea, it was used by him to collect Christ's blood and sweat while Joseph

tended him on the Cross. After Christ's death, Joseph was

apparently imprisoned in a rock tomb similar to the one he had given for the body of his

grand-nephew. Left to starve, he was sustained for several years by the power of the Grail

which provided him with fresh food and drink every morning. Later, St. Joseph travelled to

Britain with his family and several followers.

He settled at Ynys Witrin (Glastonbury), but the Grail was taken to Corbenic where it was

housed in a spectacular castle, guarded always by the Grail Kings, descendants of Joseph's

daughter, Anna and her husband, Brons.

Centuries later, the location of the Great Castle of Corbenic became forgotten. At the Court

of King Arthur, however, it was prophesied that the Grail would one day be rediscovered

by a descendant of St. Joseph: ‘the best knight in the land, the only man capable of sitting in the mysterious Siege Perilous’.

When such a man arrived in the form of Galahad, the son of Lancelot, along with a miraculous, though

brief, vision of the Grail itself, a quest to find this holiest of relics began. Through many adventures and

many years, the Knights of the Round Table crossed Britain from one end to another in their search.

Perceval discovered the castle in a land that was sickly like its spear-wounded King, and when entertained

by the "Grail King", he failed to ask of the grail and left empty-hand. Lancelot next reached Corbenic, but was prevented from entering because of he was an adulterer. Finally Galahad arrived. He was permitted entry to the Grail Chapel and allowed to gaze upon the great cup. His life became complete and together grail and man were lifted up to heaven.