Chapter IX

[1] Cf. my _Sir Gawain and the Grail Castle_, pp. 3-30. The best text is that of MS. B.N., fonds Franç. 12576, ff. 87vo-91. The above remarks apply also to the _Elucidation_, which is using a version of the _Bleheris_ form.

[2] B.N. 12577, fo. 136_vo_.

[3] Cf. _Sir Gawain at the Grail Castle_, pp. 33-46.

[4] Cf. B.N. 12576, ff. 220-222_vo_ and fo. 258.

[5] Hucher, _Le Saint Graal_, Vo. I. pp. 251 _et seq_., 315 _et seq_.

[6] Cf. Modena MS. pp. 11, 12, 21, etc.; Dr Nitze, _The Fisher-King in the Grail Romances_, p. 373, says Borron uses the term _Rice_ Pescheur, as opposed to the _Roi_ Pescheur of Chrétien. This remark is only correct as applied to the _Joseph_.

[7] Modena MS p. 61 and note.

[8] _Ibid_. p. 63.

[9] The evidence of the _Parzival_ and the parallel Grail sections of _Sone de Nansai_, which appear to repose ultimately on a source common to all three authors, makes this practically certain.

[10] This is surely a curious omission, if the second King were as essential a part of the scheme as Dr Nitze supposes.

[11] Cf. Chapter 2, p. —-.

[12] I cannot agree with Dr Nitze’s remark (_op. cit_. p. 374) that “in most versions the Fisher King has a mysterious double.” I hold that feature to be a peculiarity of the Chrétien-Wolfram group. It is not found in the Gawain versions, in Wauchier, nor in Manessier. Gerbert is using the _Queste_ in the passage relative to Mordrains, and for the reason stated above I hold that heither _Queste_ nor _Grand Saint Graal_ should be cited when we are dealing, as Dr Nitze is here dealing, with questions of ultimate origin.

[13] Cf. my _Legend of Sir Lancelot_, pp. 167 and 168.

[14] Cf. Heinzel, _Ueber die Alt-Franz. Gral-Romanen_, pp. 136 and 137.

[15] Cf. _Legend of Sir Perceval_, Vol. II. p. 343, note. These three kings are found in the curious Merlin MS. B.N., f. Franç. 337, fo. 249 _et seq_.

[16] _Vide supra_, pp. 91. 92.

[17] _Op. cit_. p. 184.

[18] Cf. Chapter 5, p. 52, Chap. 7, p. 88.

[19] _Diû Crone_, ll. 17329 _et seq_.

[20] In the _Parzival_ Titurel is grandfather to Anfortas, Frimutel intervening; critics of the poem are apt to overlook this difference between the German and French versions.

[21] Cf. Chapter 2, p. 20.

[22] Cf. here my notes on _Sone de Nansai_ (_Romania_, Vol. XLIII. p. 412).

[23] In connection with my previous remarks on the subject (p. 112) I would point out that the _Queste_ and _Grand Sainte Graal_ versions repeat the Maimed King _motif_ in the most unintelligent manner. The element of old age, inherent in the Evalach-Mordrains incident, is complicated and practically obscured, by an absurdly exaggerated wounding element, here devoid of its original significance.

[24] Heinzel, _op. cit_. p. 13.

[25] For an instance of the extravagances to which a strictly Christian interpretation can lead, cf. Dr Sebastian Evans’s theories set forth in his translation of the _Perlesvaus_ (_The High History of the Holy Grail_) and in his _The Quest of the Holy Grail_. The author places the origin of the cycle in the first quarter of the thirteenth century, and treats it as an allegory of the position in England during the Interdict pronounced against King John, and the consequent withholding of the Sacraments. His identification of the character with historical originals is most ingenious, an extraordinary example of misapplied learning.

[26] For a general discussion of the conflicting views cf. Dr Nitze’s study, referred to above. The writer devotes special attention to the works of the late Prof. Heinzel and Mr Alfred Nutt as leading representatives of their respective schools.

[27] R. Pischel’s _Ueber die Ursprung des Christlichen Fisch-Symbols_ is specifically devoted to the possible derivation from Indian sources. Scheftelowitz, _Das Fischsymbolik in Judentem und Christentum_ (_Archiv für Religionswissenschaft_, Vol. XIV.), contains a great deal of valuable material. R. Eisler, _Orpheus the Fisher_ (_The Quest_, Vols. I and II.), _John, Jonas, Oannes_ (_ibid_. Vol. III.), _The Messianic Fish-meal of the Primitive Church_ (_ibid_. Vol. IV.), are isolated studies, forming part of a comprehensive work on the subject, the publication of which has unfortunately been prevented by the War.

[28] _Mahâbhârata_, Bk. III.

[29] Cf. Scheftekowitz, _op. cit_. p. 51.

[30] Cf. _The Open Court_, June and July, 1911, where reproductions of these figures will be found.

[31] _Op. cit_. p. 403. Cf. here an illustration in Miss Harrison’s _Themis_ (p. 262), which shows Cecrops, who played the same _rôle_ with regard to the Greeks, with a serpent’s tail.

[32] _Ibid_. p. 168. In this connection note the prayer to Vishnu, quoted above.

[33] Cf. Eisler, _Orpheus the Fisher_ (_The Quest_, Vol. I. p. 126).

[34] Cf. W. Staerk, _Ueber den Ursprung der Gral-Legende_, pp. 55, 56.

[35] Df. S. Langdon, _Sumerian and Babylonian Psalms_, pp. 301, 305, 307, 313.

[36] Cf. Eisler, _The Messianic Fish-meal of the Primitive Church_ (_The Quest_, Vol. IV.), where the various frescoes are described; also the article by Scheftelowitz, already referred to. While mainly devoted to Jewish beliefs and practices, this study contains much material derived from other sources. So far it is the fullest and most thoroughly _documenté_ treatment of the subject I have met with.

[37] Cf. Eisler, _op. cit_. and Scheftelowitz, pp. 19. 20.

[38] Cf. Eisler, _op. cit_. p. 508.

[39] Cf. Scheftelowitz, _op. cit_. pp. 337, 338, and note 4.

[40] Hucher, _Le Saint Graal_, Vol. I. pp. 251 et seq., 315 _et seq_.

[41] Cf. A. Nutt, _Studies in the Legend of the Holy Grail_, p. 209.

[42] Cf. Eisler, _The Mystic Epitaph of Bishop Aberkios_ (_The Quest_, Vol. V. pp. 302-312); Scheftelowitz, _op. cit_. p. 8.

[43] Cf. _The Voyage of Saint Brandan_, ll. 372, _et seq_., 660 _et seq_.

[44] _Op. cit_. ll. 170 _et seq_., and _supra_, p. 119.

[45] _Vide supra_, p. 70.

[46] _Op. cit_. p. 168.

[47] Cf. _The Messianic Fish-meal_.

[48] _Op. cit_. p. 92, fig. 42 _a_.

[49] _Op. cit_. p. 23, and note, p. 29.

[50] _Parzival_, Bk. IX. ll., 1109 _et seq_., Bk. XVI. ll. 175 _et seq_.

[51] Cf. _Sir Gawain at the Grail Castle_, p. 55. Certain of the _Lancelot_ MSS., _e.g._, B.N., f. Fr. 123, give two doves.

[52] Cf. Scheftelowitz, p. 338. Haven, _Der Gral_, has argued that Wolfram’s stone is such a meteoric stone, a Boetylus. I am not prepared to take up any position as to the exact nature of the stone itself, whether precious stone or meteor; the real point of importance being its Life-giving potency.

[53] _Op. cit_. p. 381.

[54] _Ibid_. p. 376 _et seq_.

[55] _Ibid_. p. 20.

[56] _Ibid_. p. 377.