Sources of the Grail: Myths, Dreams, and Quests for the Holiest of Relics

Whom does the Grail serve?

The mysterious and powerful legends surrounding the Grail, often identified with the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, provide a rich literature with its origins and meanings veiled by the distance of centuries. What has come down to us is an inheritance of early Celtic tales interwoven with mediaeval romance into a tapestry of magical stories full of symbols and wondrous events which still resonate strongly in human consciousness. Arthurian scholar John Matthews has brought together a unique collection of texts and commentaries from the literature of the Grail, spanning many centuries. The anthology presents a wonderful sourcebook for researching and enjoying the Grail legends and their interpretations from ancient to modern times.

JOHN MATTHEWS is an independent scholar living in Oxford. He published his first book in 1980 and has since gone on to publish over a 150 titles on myth, folklore, and ancient traditions. He has worked in the film industry as an historical advisor and won a BAFTA for his work on the movie King Arthur (2004). He has made a lifetime study of every aspect of the Arthurian legends, from its origins to modern retellings, and wrote a bestselling work on piracy. Pirates (Carlton/Athenaeum) was a number one New York Times best seller for 22 weeks in 2005 and was translated into eighteen languages. Among his recent titles are The Great Book of King Arthur (Harper 2022) and Realms of the Round Table (Harper 2025) two collection of mediaeval stories omitted from Thomas Malory’s great work, Le Morte D’Arthur, retold for a modern audience.