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The Quest for the Holy Grail

© Linda Casselman

The Quest for the Holy Grail was the greatest and noblest of all quests for the Knights of the Round Table. But what exactly was the Holy Grail?

The Holy Grail or Sangreal was believed to be the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, and it was the cup that caught Christ's blood when he was thrust in the side with a spear at his crucifixion. Joseph of Arimathea, the wealthy man who allowed Christ to be placed in his tomb, is said to have brought the cup with him to Britain, but it was later lost. It was said that the cup disappeared because of the sins of the times, but many believed it to be hidden, and still in England. The Quest for the Holy Grail then was to find this divine cup.

One day the Grail appeared to the knights as they were gathered around the Round Table. It was a dazzling and profound spectacle of light that touched each knight spiritually filling them with wisdom and generosity and leaving them speechless. The Grail filled the hall with delicious odours and that night, the knights feasted and drank as they had never done before. The fervour for the Grail had begun!

Curiously, one seat in particular always remained empty at the Round Table. It was known as the Siege Perilous as anyone who sat there was instantly swallowed up by the earth and never seen again. The seat was indeed special as it was reserved for the one who would find the Holy Grail, and for that one alone. Do you know who this pure and noble knight was? If you do, share your answer in the discussion space below. If not, you'll have to check back often as we look at the various brave knights from King Arthur's court in the coming articles to find out.

When that brave knight arrived in King Arthur's court and took his place in the Siege Perilous at the Round Table, the Quest for the Holy Grail began - much to King Arthur's dismay, however, for he feared the loss of many of his bravest and best knights. Indeed, many knights set forth on this noble quest, but only a few returned.

According to legend, the holy cup was housed in the Grail castle, Carbonek, a heavenly otherworld guarded by the most beautiful, wondrous, and enchanting spirits. Several of the knights did indeed manage to reach the Grail castle, but you'll have to return and read on in the next few articles to find out just who they were.

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