The high history of the Holy Graal (Le Roman de Saint Graal- Perceval le Gallois ou le conte du Graal)

by Sebastian Evans (Translator)

Hardcover, 1936

Status

Available

Call number

843.1

Genres

Collection

Publication

London : Dent, 1910. Everyman Library First Edition 1910, Reprinted 1921,1929,1936

Description

The High Book of the Grail (Perlesvaus) is one of the medieval Arthurian romances, standing apart from the main tradition represented by the great romance cycles on which Malory based his work. Written in the first half of the 13th century, it represents a different view of the legend of the Holy Grail from that found in Wolfram von Eschenbach or the French Quest of the Holy Grail, though all derive from Chretien's Perceval; the unknown author adds a much greater religious emphasis and a desire to glorify crusading chivalry for the secular adventures of Arthur, Perceval and Lancelet. The framework of the romance is the struggle of Arthur and his knights to impose, by force, the New Law of Christianity in place of the Old Law. This view of the Arthurian world should be of interest to students of medieval literature, Arthurian enthusiasts and to historians interested in the world of chivalry and its attitudes.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
this Old French Version of the Grail story, pre-dates the introduction of Galahad and concentrates on Gawaine and Lancelot, both imperfect knights, and then Percival as the perfection of moral knighthood. Over all, it is not to my taste, but does add a bit of enlightenment as to the kind of source
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that Malory had to deal with as he sought to perfect the Arthur story. This is two volumes bound as one for the 2016 version. Edward Burne Jones added the small amount of art work. The hardcover was published by J.M. Dent in 1898.
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Language

Original language

Old French

Original publication date

1210 (circa)

ISBN

0227678915 / 9780227678916

Local notes

SS -Translation of French MS from early 1500's; itself a copy of a Bernese MS of the 1300's. Dr. Sebastian Evans (1830-1909) formulated the concept that the Grail Legends were grafted to Arthurian romance in the 1200's.

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