Medieval Background

Social and Political Problems During Middle Ages, Western Europe faced war, illness, power struggles, and illiteracy People held a strong sense of faith –New architectural designs in castles –Idea of chivalry –Creation of Romance stories

Medieval Castles Designed as a fort or military defense Used landscape to their advantage Many different buildings for uses Trapped prisoners Symbol for village

Were built for safety - NOT for comfort –Spiral staircases –Stone (cold temperatures) –POOR sewage systems –Location –Limited exits

Legends of Residents King Arthur –LEGEND –Probably a 5th century warrior –Protected people against Saxon invaders –Legend 1st appeared in French literature

Knights of Round Table & Holy Grail Authors as far back as the 1200’s have created character names for knights: –Sir Galahad, Sir Lancelot, Perceval, etc. Why a “Round” Table? Holy Grail = The cup/chalice that Jesus Christ drank from at the last supper

Modern Interpretations

Perceval Background Perceval’s father and brothers are killed in battle Raised solely by his mother She shelters him from outside world Perceval meets King Arthur’s knights in the woods and decides to join them His mother is devastated, but Perceval continues his training to be a knight

“The Grail” - Chretien de Troyes “Christian of Troyes” Major rhyming poem (8 syllable couplets) Wrote “The Grail” last ( ) Earliest recorded account of the Quest for the Holy Grail