EVALACH'S SHIELD AND JOSEPH OF ARAMATHEA

 

The monks reveal the mysterious shield of centuries past.

In the Grail romances, Evalach the Unknown was the heathen King of Sarras. He was befriended by Joseph of Armathea who found Evalach enthroned in a rich sun temple within the city of Sarras. Joseph eventually managed to convert evalch to the Christian faith, though judging by his baptismal name, Mordrain ("slow of belief"), one might guess that this was not an easy task.



Joseph gave his friend a shield of miraculous powers, which depicted the scene of the crucifixion. Evalanch carried the shield into battle with Tholomer. The sight unnerved his opponents and brought victory to Evalach. After the Battle, the shield performed a second miracle by restoring a soldier's severed hand; the scene on the shield then faded, never to return.



Joseph of Arimathea made his way to Britain, reputedly bringing with him the Grail, a chalice of the Last Supper. Evalach followed, bringing the treasured shild into the future land of Arthur. Legend claims that the Holy Garil first came to rest in Avalon (Glastonbury). It was during this time that Evalach approached to near the Grail and was struck down. His dare left him a blind invalid, destined to languish in this world for hundreds of years, until Galahad released him. While upon his deathbed Joseph thought to leave his earthbound friend something to remember him by, and stained Evalach's shield with a cross of his own blood.



Evalach estaablished an abbey and plced the shield in its care. Over the yers rumors circulated, attracting knights who tried and failed to beat the shield. None could ride more than a few miles from the abbey without being assaulted by a white phantom knight who insisted the shield be returned. Thus, when Galahad arrived at the Abbey, the shield of evalach awaited him. On leaving the abbey, Galahad met the white knight, only this time the phantom relayed the history of the shield and then vanished.



It is believed that Evalach of these tales originates from teh Welsh god Avallach (which may be spelled numerous ways). Not much is known of Avallach, beyond being the son of the god Beli or Belinus and father of Modron, also known as the Goddess Matrona, attributes of which Morgan partly embodies. According to William of Malmesbury, Avalloc chose to live with his daughters near Glastonbury of Avalon, due to the privacy of the area. When we consider the anmes of Avallach (apple orchard) and the Islae of Avalon or "Ynys Avallach," as it appears in Welsh, one can see why Avallach is sometimes calle the King Of Avalon. It is worth remembering that Avalon of Glastonbury was not the only Otherworld Isle of Apples (apples being sacred to the early Celts), and so the question as to the domain of Avallach, and from where his name drives remains unanswered.





Ferguson, Anna-Marie. Keeper of Words. 1995 Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota. (247)

 

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