The High History of the Holy Graal

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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 show more 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. show less

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2 reviews
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 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.
PERLESVAUS O EL ALTO LIBRO DEL GRAAL

Perlesvaus o El Alto Libro del Graal es una de las obras más originales y complejas de aquella singular literatura que, durante la Edad Media, elaboró el último gran mito de Occidente: el Graal. Escrita a principios del siglo XIII en el norte de Francia por un autor que prefirió ocultarse en el anonimato, Perlesvaus, igual que el Parzival de Von Eschenbach (Siruela, 1999), nace de un estrecho diálogo con las obras que la precedieron para acentuar con fuerza su propia interpretación del mito. Con un estilo propio que rechaza los moldes habituales de las novelas artúricas, esta obra sin par nos introduce en un mundo alucinado de aventuras que se suceden, interrumpen y entrecruzan show more laberínticamente con el fin de desplegar un riquísimo mundo simbólico ante la imaginación del lector. show less

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9 Works 2,134 Members

Some Editions

Bryant, Nigel (Translator)
Evans, Sebastian (Translator)
Rhys, Ernest (Editor)
Strubel, Armand (Translator)

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Common Knowledge

Canonical title
The High History of the Holy Graal
Alternate titles
Perlesvaus; Li Hauz Livres du Graal
Original publication date
1210 (circa) (circa)
People/Characters
King Arthur; Sir Gawain; Sir Perceval; Lancelot du Lac; The Fisher King; Dindrane (show all 8); Guinevere; Briant of the Isles
Important places
Benoic
Important events
Quest for the Holy Grail
First words
Hear ye the history of the most holy vessel that is called Graal, wherein the precious blood of the Saviour was received on the day that He was put on rood and crucified in order that He might redeem His people from the pains... (show all) of hell.
Quotations
A good thing that is squandered upon bad folk is never remembered by them for good.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Explicit the romance of Perceval the nephew of King Fisherman.

Classifications

Genre
Fiction and Literature
DDC/MDS
843.1Literature & rhetoricFrench LiteratureFrench fictionMiddle Ages
LCC
PQ1501 .P35 .A44Language and LiteratureFrench, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese literaturesFrench literatureOld French literatureTo 1350/1400
BISAC

Statistics

Members
224
Popularity
144,968
Reviews
2
Rating
(3.86)
Languages
6 — English, French, French (Middle), Old French, Italian, Spanish
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
31
ASINs
15