The Holy Grail

By Crusader1307

Next to ''Excalibur'' The Sword, no one object was more stressed in The Legend of King Arthur and His Knights, than the legendary Holy Grail. Known as a simple Cup (or Bowl), it is commonly assumed The Grail was the drinking Cup of Jesus Christ, at The Last Supper (prior to His arrest). Commonly held in story, this Cup is the ''font of life'' – perceived as being able to heal, extend life and a host of other ''miracles''. In fact, prior to Mallory's ''Le Morte'' Cycle of Arthurian Tales, some identified The Grail as both an actual stone (used to mark the epic Heavenly Battle between God's Angels and Lucifer's Demons) as well as (again) – a physical cup that was used to catch the blood of Christ during His execution. For The Arthurian Cycle of Mallory, The Grail is the traditional goal of Arthur's Knights of The Round Table. Towards the end of Arthur's Cycle, He sends His most famed Knights on a ''Grail Quest''. They travel to points of the World (and unseen realms as wells), searching for The Grail. Many of their tales were recounted in Mallory's ''Le Morte'', most with tragic ends. The Grail would go one as a bit of religious mystery, especially during the late Medieval Era – when Relic Collecting by Royalty was at it's peak. All manner of so called ''true'' items of biblical origins were sold to the highest bidder. The goal was to have the largest collection in all Christendom. It was also seen as a means of ensuring eternal blessings through one's piety. The Holy Grail was just one of the many fakes that were peddled in the 15th Century.