SIR PERCEIVAL

 

Percivale spent his childhood in a remote part of Wales. In being so far from the court, his mother had hoped to held him from the heroic songs and tales that would encourage him to take up a career in arms. Despite all her efforts, Percivale encountered this foreign world when one afternoon he happened across some of Arthur's knights passing through the forest. having never seen a knight before, Percivale was dazzled by the sight and thought them to be angels. Much to his mother's dismay, Percivale was determined to flow them to Camelot and become a Knight of the Round Table. It broke her heart to think of the dangerous and violent life Percivale had chosen, but in realizing nothing would dissuade her innocent and inquisitive son, she saw him off with the gift of a new homespun tunic and some words of advice. [later 3 of swords]. On arriving in Camelot, Percivale promptly asked to be made a knight. All laughed at his ignorance, but Arthur kindly explained that he would have to earn the title by rising through the ranks, beginning as kitchen knave. The young Percivale caused chaos wherever he went, but even though he tried people's patience most looked upon him with affection.



Percivale matured and eventually received his knighthood. In the early days of his career he happened upon a maimed man fishing from a boat. Unknown to Percivale, this man was the Fisher King, who offered the young knight lodgings in his nearby castle. Although grateful for the invitation, Percivale was surprised and puzzled--he had been told there were no castles for many miles. While in the Grail Castle, Percivale was witness to the mysterious procession o fthe Grail. The youn glodger remained silent as it passed before him and into an adjoining chamger. It was a strange and wonderful sight, like nothing he had ever seen. Thinking himself polite, Percivale restrained himself from asking any questions concerning the Grail. This was very unfortunately circumstance, for had he asked, thereby showing interest and concern, both the Fisher King and his wasting lands would have been healed. Having failed this test, Percivale awoke the next morning to find himself alone in the mysterious castle. Baffled,Percivale mounted his horse and left the castle. As he neared the end of the drawbridge, it began to close, seeming of its own accord. Horse and rider were forced to jump to reach the bank. Percivale would later realize his grave mistake in failing to ask the question and would spend many years trying to find the Otherworldly Castle of the Grail.



Percivale eventually became one of Arthur's greatest knights, Percivale, Galahad, and Bors made up what is known as the Three Elect--the three who would achieve the Holy Grail. On his second visit to the castle, Percivale and his companions were successful. Galahad healed the wounded king, lifting the curse of the land (in earlier accounts Percivale is the hero, as Galahad is a later literary addition to the story). Haing looked deep in the mystery of the Grail, Galahad no longer wished to live and died amidst great beauty. The Grail King instructed Bors to carry the news to the world, dubbing him "The Messenger." He then appointed Percivale his replacement as Grail Guardian, dubbing him "The Keeper of the High Word."



From Ferguson, Anna-Marie. Keeper of Words. 1995 Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota. (30-31)

 

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