Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
XIX: The Sangreal, or Holy Graal explained
The chapter introduces the Sangreal (Holy Grail), the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, and its journey to Britain through Joseph of Arimathea.
What happens
The chapter introduces the Sangreal (Holy Grail), the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, and its journey to Britain through Joseph of Arimathea. It recounts the fall of the Sinner King and the Grail's withdrawal from visibility. At Camelot, during Pentecost, the Grail appears in a miraculous vision, prompting Sir Gawain and many knights of the Round Table to vow a quest to find it. Sir Galahad, son of Launcelot and descendant of Joseph of Arimathea, arrives and proves his worth by safely sitting in the Siege Perilous. After a tournament, the knights depart on their quest. Galahad later acquires a miraculous white shield with a red cross, previously belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, and defeats Sir Gawain in a tournament, leading Gawain to abandon his quest.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
The entire chapter revolves around the quest for the Sangreal, with knights vowing to seek it and Sir Galahad emerging as the destined hero.
Mortality and Immortality
The Grail's withdrawal and the Sinner King's wound highlight the consequences of sin and the loss of divine favor, while the quest offers a chance for spiritual redemption.
Cultural Transmission and Education
The story of the Grail's journey from Joseph of Arimathea to Britain illustrates the transmission of sacred relics and the preservation of holy lineage.
Characters to notice
- King Arthur
Presides over the Round Table at Camelot; expresses sorrow that the quest will scatter his knights forever.
- Sir Gawain
Vows to seek the Sangreal for a year and a day; later abandons his quest after being wounded by Sir Galahad.
- Sir Galahad
Arrives at court as the destined knight of the Grail; sits in the Siege Perilous; acquires the white shield with the red cross; defeats Sir Gawain in a tournament.
- Sir Launcelot
Beholds his son Sir Galahad with great joy; participates in the tournament and is one of the two knights Galahad does not surpass.
- Sir Bohort
Prophesies that Sir Galahad will come to great worship.
- Queen Guenever
Expresses desire to see Sir Galahad; observes the tournament from a tower and notes his resemblance to Launcelot.
- Sir Perceval
One of the two knights Sir Galahad does not surpass in the tournament.
- Sir Hector
Rides with Sir Gawain; recognizes Sir Galahad in the tournament and refrains from fighting him out of natural love.
Key passages
“The Sangreal was the cup from which our Saviour drank at his last supper.”
The Holy Grail was the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper.
Defines the Grail's origin and sacred significance.
“But at length one of those holy men to whom its guardianship had descended so far forgot the obligation of his sacred office as to look with unhallowed eye upon a young female pilgrim whose robe was accidentally loosened as she knelt before him.”
Eventually, a guardian of the Grail broke his sacred duty by gazing lustfully at a young female pilgrim whose robe slipped as she knelt.
Describes the sin of the Sinner King that caused the Grail to withdraw.
“Then Sir Gawain rose up, and made a vow that for twelve months and a day he would seek the Sangreal, and not return till he had seen it, if so he might speed.”
Sir Gawain stood and vowed to search for the Holy Grail for a year and a day, not returning until he had seen it, if he could succeed.
Gawain initiates the quest of the Round Table.
“Then the hermit led the young knight to the Siege Perilous; and he lifted up the cloth, and found there letters that said, 'This is the seat of Sir Galahad, the good knight;' and he made him sit in that seat.”
The hermit guided the young knight to the Siege Perilous, uncovered the inscription naming it Sir Galahad's seat, and seated him there.
Galahad proves his worth by safely occupying the Siege Perilous.
“Then the white knight said, 'That shield belonged of old to the gentle knight, Joseph of Arimathea; and when he came to die he said, “Never shall man bear this shield about his neck but he shall repent it, unto the time that Sir Galahad the good knight bear it, the last of my lineage, the which shall do many marvellous deeds.”'”
The white knight explained that the shield once belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, who prophesied that only Sir Galahad, the last of his line, would bear it without harm and accomplish great feats.
Reveals the shield's origin and Galahad's destined role.
