University Press of Florida

The Finding of the Grail: Retold from Old French Sources University Press of Florida 1st edition

This lively retelling of the medieval Grail legend presents a unified version of the hero Perceval?s quest. Illustrated with 34 miniatures from 13th- and 14th-century manuscripts, it offers a concise and coherent version of a myth that has fascinated readers for more than 800 years.

The earliest extant grail story is by the great 12th-century French poet Chrétien de Troyes, who introduces the mysterious vessel in a solemn procession witnessed by the young knight Perceval in the Castle of the Fisher King. Chrétien never finished his story, but a number of 12th- and 13th-century writers wrote continuations of it, adding episodes that prolonged the quest but did not offer a coherent conclusion.

Weaving together episodes selected from the earliest Old French texts and focusing exclusively on the adventures of Perceval, the authors have created a "new" romance true to Chrétien de Troyes? delicate blend of Christian themes and Celtic magic, offering a conclusion in keeping with Chrétien?s balanced view of human aspirations. Illustrating key moments in the story, the miniatures help create the elusive atmosphere of medieval fantasy.