The Virgin and the Grail: Origins of a Legend [Hardcover]

Professor Joseph Goering (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2005

Some fifty years before Chrétien de Troyes wrote what is probably the first and certainly the most influential story of the Holy Grail, images of the Virgin Mary with a simple but radiant bowl (called a “grail” in local dialect) appeared in churches in the Spanish Pyrenees. In this fascinating book, Joseph Goering explores the links between these sacred images and the origins of one of the West’s most enduring legends.
While tracing the early history of the grail, Goering looks back to the Pyrenean religious paintings and argues that they were the original inspiration of the grail legend. He explains how storytellers in northern France could have learned of these paintings and how the enigmatic “grail” in the hands of the Virgin came to form the centerpiece of a story about a knight in King Arthur’s court. Part of the allure of the grail, Goering argues, was that neither Chrétien nor his audience knew exactly what it represented or why it was so important. And out of the attempts to answer those questions the literature of the Holy Grail was born.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“To search for the Holy Grail has always been to search for its meaning. Goering, in a highly original and historically satisfying work, invites the reader to join his fascinating quest for the origins, place, and meaning of the mysterious Grail.”—Paul Dutton, author of Charlemagne’s Mustache

"Goering's quest for the origins of the grail legend leads us through a landscape of romance, theology, art, and dynastic history, to track down the first 'Perceval' in Christendom's least-frequented corner. A 'must' for addicts."-Alexander Murray, University College, Oxford (Alexander Murray )

"To search for the Holy Grail has always been to search for its meaning. Goering, in a highly original and historically satisfying work, invites the reader to join his fascinating quest for the origins, place, and meaning of the mysterious Grail."-Paul Dutton, author of Charlemagne's Mustache (Paul Dutton )

Book Description

How did the Holy Grail come to form the centerpiece of a story about a knight in King Arthur’s court? In this fascinating book Joseph Goering explores the possible sources of this influential tale that originated with Chrétien de Troyes, and ultimately links the legend to medieval paintings in the Spanish Pyrenees which depict the Virgin Mary with a radiant bowl.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (May 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300106610
• ISBN-13: 978-0300106619
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #724,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History of the Holy Grail, May 21, 2005

By 

Anders von Bergen - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Virgin and the Grail: Origins of a Legend (Hardcover)

Dr. Goering's book is a fascinating scientific adventure into the roots of the most controversial mystery of the Western culture.

This fresh insight into the subject is the most illuminating. It is interesting to note that though the origin of the Grail as the Virgin was lost to the medieval authors, still the later versions of the story correctly associated the relic with her.

An important point to remember is that the Grail cycles are a rich fabric woven with elements of different origins. Thus, Goering's findings do not invalidate the Celtic and other pagan influences on the legends, pointed by earlier scholars.

A warmly recommended book for all Da Vinci Code enthusiasts!

5.0 out of 5 stars The real Langdon, April 24, 2005

By 

Craig (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Virgin and the Grail: Origins of a Legend (Hardcover)

Goering balances fidelity to his discipline with an openness to possibility in this delightful quest for the historical "grail."

In straightforward, down-to-earth prose he surveys the earliest literary incarnations of the "graal" and suggests an antecedent in the Romanesque art of the high Pyrenees. The evidence adduced for this unlikely connection ranges from well-known literary masterpieces to the kinds of things only a specialist can illuminate, like episcopal registers, obscure liturgies, Catalan charters, and difficult etymologies, to name a few. The arguments are thoughtful, well-documented, and deliciously risky. As an enthusiast for most things Arthurian (and thus "sangrealian"), I was pleased to see something fresh introduced into the burgeoning but mostly stale literature on the subject. A nice addition to the library and much-needed antidote to the stuff behind Dan Brown's books.

One small complaint and two words of caution:

Price tag? Goering's economical prose -- without notes, the whole thing is only c. 165 pgs. -- might allow for a more modest price.

But where are the Celts? Don't mistake the Virgin and the Grail for an exhaustive introduction to the subject or expect it to deal with your pet theory.

And what about the Templars? Although the work seems written for a more popular audience, the author knows the context too well to be interested by the conspiracy theories. Still, enough intrigue and arcana to keep the Da Vinci crowd reading, I would hope!

Go ahead, read it!