Was Galahad really so boring?
As is the case with a number of the more
famous characters in the Arthurian pantheon, Galahad is a
later creation and so does not appear in historical
investigation. Some scholars identify him with
Gwalhafed, a Welsh character mentioned in the Welsh tale
Culhwch and Olwen. Galahad was the supreme example of the
pious knight: pure in mind, body, spirit, and intention. As
such, he was a stark contrast to his famous father,
Lancelot,
begat him from a union with Elaine,
with whom he was not married. From earthly sin would come
perfection, it would seem. One story even has Galahad drawing his
own sword out of a stone. This took place when he sat in the
Siege
Perilous, a seat at the
Round
Table that was destined for the
greatest knight in the world. Separate traditions say the
Siege Perilous was destined for the Grail Knight. Many
stories say Galahad was both.
He first appears in the
Queste del Saint Graal, in which he performs
various feats of bravery and daring and completes
the double test of sword and seat mentioned
above. He it was who was ordained to
fulfill the Grail Quest. He it is who sees the
Holy
Grail in its full glory.
He dies of ecstasy after being shown the full
mystery and majesty of the Grail. On the way, he
does many wonderful things, including healing the
wounded Grail King. Galahad was the Grail writers'
idea of perfection: an equal mix of strength at
arms and strength in spirit. He is amazingly
physically attractive as well and is sought by many
ladies; but he remains virginal all his life, in
waiting for the Grail. He is everything the writers hoped
Lancelot would be. See also
Was
Arthur a king or just a battle commander? Was
Guinevere really an adulteress? Was
Morgan Le Fay really a witch? Was
Morgause to blame for all of Arthur's
troubles?
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