Silly Peredur. You blogged on the wrong text in your eagerness to degrade the Gawain of the Perlesvaus. Please readers, if you are responding to Robert's text, pay attention to this entry, not "Step off, Gawain." However, those of you responding to the Perlesvaus, please read the Gawain entry.
That said, I can now address Robert de Borron's treatise on Joseph of Arimathea and the grail. Robert seems invested in the Christian identity of the grail, but he doesn't reveal too much. What, for instance, are the "Secrets of the Grail"? Were the rest of you able to figure this out?
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Step off, Gawain.
Gawain, you need to know that the grail is "my precious" - not yours. I've heard tell of a cute little story called the Perlesvaus, in which you are depicted as the grail hero - not me! Please know that if you plan to achieve the grail before me, I will track you down, all the way to Mordor. Oops. I mean Avalon. What do the rest of you think of Gawain's grail quest? And what about that funky grail procession he witnesses?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Blessings from Jesus
My dear children, I revere your quest for the sacred grail. All who seek for divine wisdom are fulfilling the work of God. I, as the Son of Man, feasted on the holy night of the Passover with my disciples, with Judas called Iscariot--the one who would betray me-- sitting by my side. I knew what was to come, and ate and drank and shared precious words with the twelve that I loved, one last time in the flesh. I sought to share ceremony with my disciples during that feast, and passed bread around to be shared. As I did so, I said "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this is remembrance of me." I did the same with the cup of wine, saying " This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." I hoped to make them remember, after I was gone from the flesh, that every time they ate bread, and every time they drank wine, they should remember me and all I have taught them. They could do so with these physical things, for soon my physical body would be gone from earth. And so it was. And that cup that I passed around to share that night disappeared into mystery, a mystery that you now seek. I will not speak of that mystery here, but I will bless your quest to find it. Go forth in the spirit of Love.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Is the graal a grail?
My comrade Matthews has included a translation of Chretien's Perceval that may create some problems for us grail-seekers. The translators decided to translate "graal" as "grail." Now, since no one knows what a "graal" is, is it fair to establish it definitely as the "grail" we are seeking? And what exactly does the grail do in Chretien's text? Does it serve in any way related to the way my cousin's head is bandied about in Peredur?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Greetings From King Amangons
Greetings to my subjects and fellow Grail enthusiasts. It is your old friend, King Amangons. I wanted to drop by and clear up some silly rumors that are going around about myself. Certain individuals are coming up with ludicrous stories about me raping maidens of the wells and stealing their little cups. These claims are outrageous, I mean evil and craven-hearted? Too harsh. We both did have a little too much to drink from those nice golden cups, but blaming me for the land drying up and turning into a barren wasteland is going too far. So maybe my vassals and I got carried away, but is it really such a bad thing? The only way to cure the land is through the Holy Grail, without a wasteland to cure who would want the Grail then? Only the greedy power seeking knights. Without me there would not be a chivalrous reason to seek out the Grail. So next time folks decide to attack someone's reputation, make it Lancelot, he clearly has problems.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Is it a Celtic or Christian grail?
I'm known for not speaking to Christians, but I'm wondering if I should break my vow in order to find out the evidence behind the theory that the grail is the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. What do we think of the biblical evidence? Do the gospel accounts suggest that the cup has some secret power?
Friday, September 14, 2007
of Branwen, Daughter of Llyr
From my deep understanding - and having seen the cauldron myself as recounted in the tales of the Spoils of Annwen and Branwen Daughter of Llyr - I hold that this cauldron may well be the origins of this Grail. The Grail itself doesn't seem to be of much importance to the newly arrived Christian religion until Christianity takes on the cauldron as one of its own relics. And while it seems to have minimal significance today, my far-reaching mind knows that holy objects became very significant in the High Middle Ages and beyond, for a time.
I was one of the seven who returned from Ireland (or was it the Otherworld?) to carry the tale back to the Island of the Mighty. Perhaps the cauldron only faded from the world's memory for a time while Bran was remembered? Who can tell?
I was one of the seven who returned from Ireland (or was it the Otherworld?) to carry the tale back to the Island of the Mighty. Perhaps the cauldron only faded from the world's memory for a time while Bran was remembered? Who can tell?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Gwalchmai
Many people say that I am one of the earliest characters associated with King Arthur. I am formally his nephew, and one of the most important figures of the Round Table. Many townspeople or other noble men might refer to me as one of the " greatest knights", which I completely agree with. In the past i was a fierce warrior, and extremely loyal to everything surrounding me, including my king and family. But mostly, I am a ladies man. I like to help out everyone, although my amount of strenght normally changes with the sun.
Most people first meet me in the Peredur the Son of Evrawc story, while I'm aiding Peredur. I think he is an okay fellow, although he does not always make the right choices. I tried warning him that if someone is busy, they are probably thinking about the one they love or the damage they felt but he didn't believe me, not a smart boy. That's probably why his name is Dumb Youth. Although Peredur was not an entirely smart boy, his stories about the Dwarf was very interesting. Eventually I guess I can tolerate Peredur, as long as be begins to have more common sense!
Most people first meet me in the Peredur the Son of Evrawc story, while I'm aiding Peredur. I think he is an okay fellow, although he does not always make the right choices. I tried warning him that if someone is busy, they are probably thinking about the one they love or the damage they felt but he didn't believe me, not a smart boy. That's probably why his name is Dumb Youth. Although Peredur was not an entirely smart boy, his stories about the Dwarf was very interesting. Eventually I guess I can tolerate Peredur, as long as be begins to have more common sense!
Does the Elucidation elucidate?
I've heard a rumor that my tale is no longer considered the font from which all grail lore springs. Is this true? The sexy trend, I've been told, is that this French text, The Elucidation, contains some of the earliest information about the grail. What do you think? Does it reflect some secret knowledge that Mabinogion does not possess?
Monday, September 10, 2007
Branwen, daughter of Llyr, through the eyes of Trevrezent
Hello my fellow grail friends. My name is Trevrezent, and I am the Hermit-Uncle to Parzival. I have said it once, and I'll say it again: The Grail chooses its company. I am not one to brag very often, but I am known as a very wise man. I have taught many a lesson in my lifetime. One might say that I am more of a teacher than a hermit.
Now, when I think about the story of poor Branwen, all I know is that no one can ever win the grail unless he has been summoned to it by God. Bendigeid Vran must have been on God's good side to be able to even come in contact with the grail, never mind the fact that he destroyed it. All I know is that part of the reason so many people close to Branwen died (including herself) is because of the Grail. Man can be both blinded and destroyed on his quest for the grail. Only god can decide a man's fate.
Now, when I think about the story of poor Branwen, all I know is that no one can ever win the grail unless he has been summoned to it by God. Bendigeid Vran must have been on God's good side to be able to even come in contact with the grail, never mind the fact that he destroyed it. All I know is that part of the reason so many people close to Branwen died (including herself) is because of the Grail. Man can be both blinded and destroyed on his quest for the grail. Only god can decide a man's fate.
Branwen, Daughter of Llyr
Greetings to you, lords and ladies. I am Branwen, daughter of Llyr. My brother, Bendigied (“Blessed”) Vran, was the ruler of my homeland, Britain. He was also once the possessor of what may possibly be the “grail” for which we search. But read first what I have to say, of how this “grail”—what I think to be a cauldron—became entwined with my fate and woe.
One day, my king and brother Bendigied Vran was conversing with our brothers Nissyan and Evnissyan. Of Nissyan I was always quite fond; he had a way of smoothing over any argument, however heated. Evnissyan, however—what a brash, ill-tempered man! It is Evnissyan who I fear had the greatest hand in my misfortune. But first, to my husband. Yes, as my dear brother looked out from his island, he beheld thirteen ships sailing from Ireland. He sent men from his court to discover these ships’ intent, and the men were met by my suitor and future husband: Matholwch, King of Ireland.
Yes, as a maiden I was quite desirable. I was one of the three chief ladies of the island, and I was said to be “the fairest damsel in the world.” Bendigied Vran was pleased that I should have a king for a husband, so Matholwch and I were married at Aberffraw. However, after our day of feasting and merriment, my brother Evnissyan discovered that I had been married without his consent. Enraged, he disfigured Matholwch’s horses, cutting off their lips, ears, tails, and eyelids! Thus insulted, Matholwch left my brother Bendigied Vran’s court without his leave. When my brother learned of the insult, he promised that Matholwch would receive for his atonement a silver staff, a gold plate, and a host of horses to match those that had been disfigured. Matholwch accepted, but still seemed dissatisfied. Thus, my brother Bendigied Vran offered him the cauldron saying, “the property of which is, that if one of thy men be slain today, and be cast therein, tomorrow he will be as well as ever he was at best, except that he will not regain his speech.” This cauldron came from the Lake of the Cauldron in Ireland, and was carried out from this lake by giant yellow-haired man named Llassar Llaesgyvnewid.
I journeyed to Ireland with my husband Matholwch, and there I enjoyed a year of happiness. I gave birth to a son, Gwern, and sent him to be foster-nursed. Soon after, Matholwch’s foster-brothers rose against him, blaming him for the insult he had suffered by my brother Evnissyan. These men drove me from my husband’s chamber and forced me to cook for the Court. Every day, the Court’s butcher gave me a blow to the ear—a source of constant pain.
Desperate to escape my plight, I raised a small starling, taught it to speak, taught it to recognize my brother Bendigeid Vran, and sent it off toward Britain with a letter for my brother.
Not long after, messengers came from my husband, asking for an interpretation for something they’d seen. They told me of a wood upon the sea, and beside a vast, moving mountain. I told them that surely it was men from my homeland, the Island of the Mighty, who had come to save me from my woes. You see, my brother Bendigeid Vran is a man of huge stature, and I knew the mountain was he.
Matholwch and his council fled from my brother, breaking apart a bridge under which flowed a river that neither ship nor vessel could pass over. This did not stop my brother, Bendigeid Vran. He laid himself across from shore to shore, allowing his host to cross over him. After this, Matholwch promised to give his kingdom to our son Gwern, but Bendigeid Vran was not satisfied. Then, my husband sent a message promising my brother a house large enough to contain him; I advised him to accept the offer, in order to save the country.
When my brother’s host met my husband’s in the house Matholwch built for Bendigeid Vran, my brother Evnissyen, cruel as he was, killed my poor son Gwern! He threw him into the fire! I tried my best to follow after my son, my precious child, but my brother Bendigeid Vran restrained me.
Evnissyen had also slaughtered many Irishmen; these the Irish threw into the cauldron of renovation, and the bodies were renewed, ready to battle my kinsmen. Evnissyan was thrown into the cauldron, where he stretched himself so as to break the cauldron into pieces, bursting also his own heart.
Only seven of my kinsmen survived, including Pryderi, Manawyddan, Gluneu Eil Taran, Taliesin, Ynawc, Grudyen, and Heilyn. Bendigeid Vran also survived, but with a foot poisoned by a dart. He commanded the survivors to cut off his head and bury it at the White Mount in London. I was the eighth to go on the journey, and so sorrowful was I to be the cause of two islands destroyed! My heart broke; yes, I speak to you now in spirit only. I have been buried, and speak to you of the cauldron as a thing that has passed.
One day, my king and brother Bendigied Vran was conversing with our brothers Nissyan and Evnissyan. Of Nissyan I was always quite fond; he had a way of smoothing over any argument, however heated. Evnissyan, however—what a brash, ill-tempered man! It is Evnissyan who I fear had the greatest hand in my misfortune. But first, to my husband. Yes, as my dear brother looked out from his island, he beheld thirteen ships sailing from Ireland. He sent men from his court to discover these ships’ intent, and the men were met by my suitor and future husband: Matholwch, King of Ireland.
Yes, as a maiden I was quite desirable. I was one of the three chief ladies of the island, and I was said to be “the fairest damsel in the world.” Bendigied Vran was pleased that I should have a king for a husband, so Matholwch and I were married at Aberffraw. However, after our day of feasting and merriment, my brother Evnissyan discovered that I had been married without his consent. Enraged, he disfigured Matholwch’s horses, cutting off their lips, ears, tails, and eyelids! Thus insulted, Matholwch left my brother Bendigied Vran’s court without his leave. When my brother learned of the insult, he promised that Matholwch would receive for his atonement a silver staff, a gold plate, and a host of horses to match those that had been disfigured. Matholwch accepted, but still seemed dissatisfied. Thus, my brother Bendigied Vran offered him the cauldron saying, “the property of which is, that if one of thy men be slain today, and be cast therein, tomorrow he will be as well as ever he was at best, except that he will not regain his speech.” This cauldron came from the Lake of the Cauldron in Ireland, and was carried out from this lake by giant yellow-haired man named Llassar Llaesgyvnewid.
I journeyed to Ireland with my husband Matholwch, and there I enjoyed a year of happiness. I gave birth to a son, Gwern, and sent him to be foster-nursed. Soon after, Matholwch’s foster-brothers rose against him, blaming him for the insult he had suffered by my brother Evnissyan. These men drove me from my husband’s chamber and forced me to cook for the Court. Every day, the Court’s butcher gave me a blow to the ear—a source of constant pain.
Desperate to escape my plight, I raised a small starling, taught it to speak, taught it to recognize my brother Bendigeid Vran, and sent it off toward Britain with a letter for my brother.
Not long after, messengers came from my husband, asking for an interpretation for something they’d seen. They told me of a wood upon the sea, and beside a vast, moving mountain. I told them that surely it was men from my homeland, the Island of the Mighty, who had come to save me from my woes. You see, my brother Bendigeid Vran is a man of huge stature, and I knew the mountain was he.
Matholwch and his council fled from my brother, breaking apart a bridge under which flowed a river that neither ship nor vessel could pass over. This did not stop my brother, Bendigeid Vran. He laid himself across from shore to shore, allowing his host to cross over him. After this, Matholwch promised to give his kingdom to our son Gwern, but Bendigeid Vran was not satisfied. Then, my husband sent a message promising my brother a house large enough to contain him; I advised him to accept the offer, in order to save the country.
When my brother’s host met my husband’s in the house Matholwch built for Bendigeid Vran, my brother Evnissyen, cruel as he was, killed my poor son Gwern! He threw him into the fire! I tried my best to follow after my son, my precious child, but my brother Bendigeid Vran restrained me.
Evnissyen had also slaughtered many Irishmen; these the Irish threw into the cauldron of renovation, and the bodies were renewed, ready to battle my kinsmen. Evnissyan was thrown into the cauldron, where he stretched himself so as to break the cauldron into pieces, bursting also his own heart.
Only seven of my kinsmen survived, including Pryderi, Manawyddan, Gluneu Eil Taran, Taliesin, Ynawc, Grudyen, and Heilyn. Bendigeid Vran also survived, but with a foot poisoned by a dart. He commanded the survivors to cut off his head and bury it at the White Mount in London. I was the eighth to go on the journey, and so sorrowful was I to be the cause of two islands destroyed! My heart broke; yes, I speak to you now in spirit only. I have been buried, and speak to you of the cauldron as a thing that has passed.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
My lord Arthur and my friend Gwalchmai
I'll bet some of you are thinking, "Finally we actually encounter Arthur!" Yet, I wonder whether or not the Arthur found in my tale, Peredur the Son of Evrawc, meets your expectations. Does he live up to his reputation as Britain's greatest king? And what about Gwalchmai (a.ka. Gawain)? I can tell you that he is a very dear friend of mine . . .
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Meditations from the Otherworld
Silly man that I am, I'm not sure I see any real grail in the Spoils of Annwn. Maybe the real test is to see if we can trace the grail themes throughout the Mabinogion. The other branch, with which I am less familiar, that of Branwen, Daughter of Llyr, supposedly contains the "wounding of the king" topos. Is that specifically a "grail" theme? Does this story contain any real relationship with standard grail legend?
The Spoils of Annwn
Greetings all. I am a bard - a singer of songs and a memory for myth and legend. Taliesin is my name, and I am also sometimes called a druid by my own folk, the Celtic tribes of Britain. As bard to the 6th Century kings of Britain, I accompanied Arthur on one of his adventures.
Arthur sought out the Cauldron, and with three ships of warriors, we sojourned through the mists to the Otherworld. We passed through the Caers Siddi, Fedwydd, Rigor, Goludd, Manawyddan, and Achren in the face of much toil . . . and only seven of us returned. But we saw the Cauldron and the nine maidens who warm the great vessel with their breath. Such a rich object none have ever seen, with pearls inlaid about the rim! The Cauldron will not suffer a coward nor a wicked man to sustain himself from it. It grants wisdom to those who seek it out.
So now I am eternally more wise than the clerks and scribes of Britain. They conjure up words, but they have not seen. How could they know if they have not seen? Foremost of the bards, I am Taliesin.
Arthur sought out the Cauldron, and with three ships of warriors, we sojourned through the mists to the Otherworld. We passed through the Caers Siddi, Fedwydd, Rigor, Goludd, Manawyddan, and Achren in the face of much toil . . . and only seven of us returned. But we saw the Cauldron and the nine maidens who warm the great vessel with their breath. Such a rich object none have ever seen, with pearls inlaid about the rim! The Cauldron will not suffer a coward nor a wicked man to sustain himself from it. It grants wisdom to those who seek it out.
So now I am eternally more wise than the clerks and scribes of Britain. They conjure up words, but they have not seen. How could they know if they have not seen? Foremost of the bards, I am Taliesin.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Welcome, fellow grail seekers! I'm not exactly sure what a grail is, but I've been told that I've seen it. Let us quest together to find out not only what the grail might be, but our relationship to it and to each other. I'm one of those Celtic characters who we will be hearing about over the next couple of weeks and we may wonder what (if any) kind of real grail appears in our tales. And can we, the ancient British, claim the origin for it? What do the rest of you think?
If you have forgotten the blog protocol, I've been given a secret manuscript which I've had transcribed (I can't write, only blog) and then reproduced below. Good luck blogging!
P.S. If you've forgotten who you are (Goddess forbid), I've heard of a Dr. Mueller who may help you find yourself. Contact him here (amuel001@plattsburgh.edu)
Blog Schedule
Entries are due on the date listed. Names in italics are characters/authors who appear in/wrote the text assigned for the day (i.e. Taliesin is the writer of The Spoils of Annwn; the student assigned to Taliesin must write from the perspective of Taliesin found in that text). Comments (C) are due the day following. Commenters must address the entry posted by the person listed above their name. Please note that only two entries and two comments have been scheduled. To meet the three entry/three comment requirement, you must contribute a third entry and a third comment on days (only those listed below) for which you are not scheduled.
September
5 Taliesin
C: Michael Baigent
Anfortas
C: Peter
10 Branwen
C: T.S. Eliot
Bendigeid Vran
C: Jessie Weston
Trevrezent
C: Jesus
12 Gwalchmai
C: Launfal
Messire Gawain
C: Taliesin
17 Amangons
C: Perronik
Bron
C: Bendigeid Vran
19 Jesus
C: Merlin
Peter
C: Galahad
Joseph of Arimathea
C: Gwalchmai
24 Perceval
C: Arthur
Michael Baigent
C: King Pellam
October
1 Joseph of Arimathea
C: Balin
Bron
C: Syr Percyvelle
T.S. Eliot
C: Red Knight
Peter
C: Jesus
3 Messire Gawain
C: Lancelot
Jessie Weston
C: Sir Gawain
Perceval
C: Amangons
10 Trevrezent
C: Balin
Anfortas
C: Red Knight
Launfal
C: Bron
Jesus
C: Gwalchmai
17 Sir Gawain
C: King Pellam
Perronik
C: Messire Gawain
Amangons
C: Bendigeid Vran
22 Lancelot
C: Michael Baigent
Merlin
C: Anfortas
Gwalchmai
C: Branwen
24 Syr Percyvelle
C: T.S. Eliot
Red Knight
C: Trevrezent
Galahad
C: Joseph of Arimathea
Bendigeid Vran
C: Amangons
29 Balin
C: Jessie Weston
King Pellam
C: Launfal
Arthur
C: Perceval
Branwen
C: Taliesin
November
5 Galahad
C: Perronik
Syr Percyvelle
C: Peter
7 Merlin
C: Lancelot
Arthur
C: Sir Gawain
Taliesin
C: Branwen
12 Perronik
C: Perceval
King Pellam
C: Joseph of Arimathea
14 Launfal
C: Syr Percyvelle
Balin
C: Bron
26 Jessie Weston
C: Arthur
Red Knight
C: Messire Gawain
27 T.S. Eliot
C: Galahad
Lancelot
C: Trevrezent
December
3 Michael Baigent
C: Merlin
Sir Gawain
C: Anfortas
If you have forgotten the blog protocol, I've been given a secret manuscript which I've had transcribed (I can't write, only blog) and then reproduced below. Good luck blogging!
P.S. If you've forgotten who you are (Goddess forbid), I've heard of a Dr. Mueller who may help you find yourself. Contact him here (amuel001@plattsburgh.edu)
Blog Schedule
Entries are due on the date listed. Names in italics are characters/authors who appear in/wrote the text assigned for the day (i.e. Taliesin is the writer of The Spoils of Annwn; the student assigned to Taliesin must write from the perspective of Taliesin found in that text). Comments (C) are due the day following. Commenters must address the entry posted by the person listed above their name. Please note that only two entries and two comments have been scheduled. To meet the three entry/three comment requirement, you must contribute a third entry and a third comment on days (only those listed below) for which you are not scheduled.
September
5 Taliesin
C: Michael Baigent
Anfortas
C: Peter
10 Branwen
C: T.S. Eliot
Bendigeid Vran
C: Jessie Weston
Trevrezent
C: Jesus
12 Gwalchmai
C: Launfal
Messire Gawain
C: Taliesin
17 Amangons
C: Perronik
Bron
C: Bendigeid Vran
19 Jesus
C: Merlin
Peter
C: Galahad
Joseph of Arimathea
C: Gwalchmai
24 Perceval
C: Arthur
Michael Baigent
C: King Pellam
October
1 Joseph of Arimathea
C: Balin
Bron
C: Syr Percyvelle
T.S. Eliot
C: Red Knight
Peter
C: Jesus
3 Messire Gawain
C: Lancelot
Jessie Weston
C: Sir Gawain
Perceval
C: Amangons
10 Trevrezent
C: Balin
Anfortas
C: Red Knight
Launfal
C: Bron
Jesus
C: Gwalchmai
17 Sir Gawain
C: King Pellam
Perronik
C: Messire Gawain
Amangons
C: Bendigeid Vran
22 Lancelot
C: Michael Baigent
Merlin
C: Anfortas
Gwalchmai
C: Branwen
24 Syr Percyvelle
C: T.S. Eliot
Red Knight
C: Trevrezent
Galahad
C: Joseph of Arimathea
Bendigeid Vran
C: Amangons
29 Balin
C: Jessie Weston
King Pellam
C: Launfal
Arthur
C: Perceval
Branwen
C: Taliesin
November
5 Galahad
C: Perronik
Syr Percyvelle
C: Peter
7 Merlin
C: Lancelot
Arthur
C: Sir Gawain
Taliesin
C: Branwen
12 Perronik
C: Perceval
King Pellam
C: Joseph of Arimathea
14 Launfal
C: Syr Percyvelle
Balin
C: Bron
26 Jessie Weston
C: Arthur
Red Knight
C: Messire Gawain
27 T.S. Eliot
C: Galahad
Lancelot
C: Trevrezent
December
3 Michael Baigent
C: Merlin
Sir Gawain
C: Anfortas
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