Rethinking Medieval Manuscript Anthologies: The Case of the Perceval Casket Paula Mae Carns UIUC Library Research Showcase 2015

~ Perceval in Word Chrétien de Troyes, one of the greatest medieval French authors, penned his last poem Conte du Graal, or Story of the Grail, between It tells the story an ignorant youth named Perceval who out of sheer luck and innate skill becomes a great Arthurian knight and the first quester for the Holy Grail. Four authors continued Chrétien‘s unfinished text in Continuations. The final Continuation ends with Perceval becoming a saint. ~ Perceval in Art A small carved ivory box, called the Perceval Casket, ca , Paris, gives the most comprehensive visual telling of the story’s beginning. Five illuminated manuscripts contain Chrétien de Troyes’ Conte du Graal and two or more Continuations. The pictures illustrate the entire text.

Perceval prayers to Arthurian knights. Perceval tell his mother of his plans. Mother dies of grief. Perceval rides to court. Perceval forcibly kisses a maiden and steals her ring. Perceval rides his horse into Arthur’s court. Perceval and the Red Knight fight. Perceval tries to takes the Red Knight’s arms. A squire helps him. The story ends here on the casket. Lid: Portraits of Saints Christopher, Martin, George and Eustace.

Paris, BN, fr (U), , Paris, Frontispiece and Grail Ceremony

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