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King Arthur and the Grail

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• King Arthur's court and the Grail
• The events in this picture are vividly described by Sir Thomas Malory in his 'Le Morte Darthur':

'Then they heard crackling of lightning and rumbling of thunder, until they thought that the whole place should be destroyed. In the midst of this storm there entered a sunbeam clearer by seven times than any daylight they had ever seen, and they were all illuminated by the grace of the Holy Ghost. The knights looked at each other, and they each seemed more handsome than ever before. But none of the knights could speak a word for a long time, and looked at each other as if they were dumb. Then there entered into the hall the Holy Grail covered with white silk, but none might see it, nor who bore it. And the whole hall was filled with sweet scents, and every knight had such meat and drink as he best loved in this world. And when the Holy Grail had been borne through the hall, then the holy vessel departed suddenly, and they did not know where it went.'

We have already seen how the French romances (from which Malory translated) link the quest for the Holy Grail with the story of King Arthur. Because the Grail is covered when it appears, the knights are so overwhelmed by the sight that they vow to set out in search of it in order to see it 'openly'.

The quest is achieved by three knights, Galahad, Perceval and Bors. Galahad is both the most skilful knight in the world and at the same time the most chaste. He replaces the earlier hero, Perceval, who is portrayed as married in the first stories about the Grail, and was therefore not pure enough for the writer of this highly religious version of the Grail story.

Where Galahad is invulnerable, Perceval is open to temptation but overcomes it. The third knight, Bors, is added to show another type of chastity, faithfulness within marriage.