Well, who knew? Apparently Arthurian scholars did, but I didn’t. I always thought that the Holy Grail of Arthurian legend was the cup that Christ used at the Last Supper. Not necessarily as it turns out.

Between 1160 and 1190, Chretien de Troyes wrote “Perceval” about Sir Percival’s famous quest for the grail. Chretien presented the grail as a mysterious and powerful object, but it had no direct relationship with Christ.

Then in 1210, Robert de Boron wrote “Joseph d’Arimathie” and “Estoire del Saint Graal” where he turned the grail into the cup that Joseph of Arimathea used to catch the blood of Christ from the Cross. Note that Joseph did exist. He offered his tomb for Christ’s burial, and along with Nicodemus helped to bring down His body and prepare Him for burial. But everything else about Joseph is legend.

Robert was the first writer to claim that Joseph traveled to the British Isles bearing the grail. A number of writers would later expand on Joseph’s and his family’s legendary exploits. BTW, 15th century writer John Hardyng credited Joseph with building Arthur’s Round Table! My goodness.

There was writing that equated the grail with the Cup at the Last Supper, but it was by no means a given. Interesting stuff.