(1.6) “Galahad and the Grail” – The Quest Begins
(1.6) “Galahad and the Grail” – The Quest Begins.
Book One: ‘The Coming of Galahad’ (by “book” is meant a large section in this installment of Guite’s Arthuriad).
Stave Six: “The Quest Begins” (a “stave” is an old-fashioned term for the stanza of a poem, a verse in a song, or a chapter in a long story).
Why is Malcolm Guite retelling the King Arthur saga, no less in the form of English ballads? He has gone on record as saying… The KA mythical tales echo something real about sin, redemption, and the hope that was broken in us and in the world that can be made whole again… Every generation that asks good questions of King Arthur legends gets good answers… The modern world could use a resurrection of the ideal of chivalry and honor… Ancient myths and stories aren’t just relics of a pre-modern imagination, they are carriers of truth we’ve forgotten how to see with modern eyes… Legends like these don’t distract us from the real world, they reveal it… These stories restore the spiritual elements that have been shorn away, and they renew their deepest meaning. The English ballads were composed in a poetic form that were made to be sung or chanted out loud. They are rhythmic and musical, and one gets the sense that with ballads, “the poem on the page is lying asleep. And the job of the reader is to wake it up and breathe into its being by reciting it out loud, because that physicality of sound and breath and speech is what it’s made for… Above all, enjoy it. Poetry is meant to give pleasure.” It’s clear that composing this first installment of the King Arthur saga was a labor of love for Malcolm Guite, and that, as he put it, “This is the tale that makes my heart rejoice.”
Characters and Elements in this Chapter of Malcom Guite’s Retelling of the King Arthur Saga:
(1.) Quest – As a noun, a quest is an intense and single-minded search for something important. When understood as a very active verb in the context of knighthood, to quest is to engage in a long, difficult and adventurous journey that requires hard work in order to achieve a worthwhile goal or a valuable possession; to give oneself to a focused search, a single-minded pursuit, that frequently involves challenges, exploration, and personal growth; to invest personally in a prolonged endeavor in which the process is just as important as the product; to engage in a mission or expedition in an extensive search to discover something important. In this chapter the knights all embark on a special quest that will take them far away from Camelot.
(2.) Nacien – A mysterious old man once again makes his appearance, this time as a “white-clad hermit” who gathers the knights around him for some parting words of wisdom and warning. We saw him earlier in the story when Galahad was 15 years old, a mysterious hermit who came to Pelles’ castle and spoke to Elaine and Galahad with what appeared to be spiritual authority. Later in the story, Nacien was identified more clearly as a prophet in the Holy Spirit and the Priest of the Grail. Nacien was someone who commanded attention and was accepted as a messenger from God. At their first meeting, he instructed Elaine and Galahad to first kneel and pray as he fervently prayed over them… that they both would be protected and granted inner peace; that they would be empowered and shaped by the Holy Spirit; that God’s love would be released upon them. Nacien then prophesied that a special knight would one day return and “bring healing light and life.” He then instructed them to leave the castle and travel for three days to a holy place where they will witness a group of worshipping maidens who “will carry the light of heaven” and point directly to “Heaven’s Child.” This will be the beginning, Nacien explained, of the end of Balin’s Dolorous Stroke. Nacien, of course, was directing them towards King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail, the Cup of Christ from the Last Supper representing the very presence of Christ Himself. Then later in the story, he appeared as an “old silver-haired man” as he introduced Galahad to King Arthur and the knights at the Pentecost feast. Nacien prophesied that this young knight with him is from nobility, from a royal lineage that even includes Joseph of Arimathea of biblical fame. This young man, claimed Nacien, is the destined “keeper of the light,” and is the chosen one who will not only sit in the Siege Perilous reserved for him alone, but will also bring healing to where blood has been spilled. Finally, at this time in the story, Nacien instructs the knights to purify themselves, to confess their sins before God before they embark on the Quest. He implored each knight to “look to his own soul and pray that Jesus would make him whole, that from the lusts that hold him thrall the Lord might make him free.”
(3.) “Clothed in Humility” – Nacien then echoed St. Paul himself in his pep talk with the knights before their Quest… “Let each knight be clothed with true humility…” For one of Paul’s favorite images of the Christian life had to do with clothes, taking off the old clothes, putting on the new clothes, wearing the clothes of Christ. As Paul said in Colossians 3:12, “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” As Christian knights, they had a holy garment to put on, garments of God’s Presence. Faith indeed has a uniform. Following Jesus is like putting on a whole new wardrobe, a new set of clothes. Christ-followers have a new identity, a different look, a new style that reflects our heart’s desire. Following Jesus means we are now clothed in a different line, we have a new fashion designer. We have changed wardrobe consultants, and we are now covered in a new garment, a robe of righteousness. We have put on God’s goodness as our garment, and righteousness as our covering. Our new uniform reflects a right standing with God, as well as a pursuit of what pleases God out of our response to His love. Our new wardrobe now reflects God’s nature and character as He transforms us from within. We are now clothed in Christ, displaying the very virtues of God, reflecting a state of righteousness offered through the grace of Jesus. Our uniform has an identity. We want to identify ourselves with Christ. We want our clothes to reflect our faith. So Nacien underscored that with reminding each knight to “set aside his vanity and earthly pride,” to “lay aside all spite and wrath.” It’s clear that Nacien knew his Scripture as he concluded his sermonette by encouraging each knight to “choose his own strange path into the mystery.”
(4.) Queen Guinevere – The relationship between King Arthur and Queen Guinevere tended to remain rather mysterious. At this point it seems rather cold and distant, especially since their marriage is childless. Profoundly complicating matters is the apparent fact that she is actually in love with the famous knight Lancelot, and he with her. We have been introduced earlier in the story to the lovely Queen Guinevere, and her royal beauty is much celebrated, being the “fairest lady ever seen.” In her shimmering royal gowns she appeared to everyone as a woman who was “mantled in heaven.” We also know now that the greatest knight of all at this point, Lancelot, has fallen in love with her, and there is the hint that his forbidden love for Guinevere just might have tragic consequences later in the story. In this part of the story, she finally breaks down and is compelled to reveal everything she knows about Galahad and his early history. In her secret conversation with Galahad, she tells him that his coming to Camelot was like the melting of ice in Spring, bringing both grief and grace. Guinevere relates the true story of his birth to his mother Elaine, and how Lancelot was tricked into thinking Elaine was Guinevere, and they produced the beautiful baby Galahad. Guinevere emphasized that Galahad had nothing to be ashamed of in this whole affair, that true love was at the heart of his beginnings. Finally, she tells Galahad that “the Lord has set your life apart and given you a princely heart, and you will play a noble part who bear a noble name.” She ended by telling Galahad that she loves him for his father’s sake, and she asks for his prayers when he passes beyond the veil.
(5.) Sir Galahad – His careful response to Guinevere after learning about Lancelot’s role in his life as his father, and Guinevere’s love for Lancelot, and the mysteries of his conception and birth, was to keep all these things in his heart in confidential silence. His wise and faithful reaction to these mysteries reminds us of Mother Mary, and when she kept the mysteries surrounding her and her Son in her heart, not once but twice. She trusted God, treasured her many unexpected developments, and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19, 51). Galahad earnestly prayed about “all these heart-breaking things he’d heard,” especially about two lovers being kept apart. Galahad closed his time with Guinevere by graciously blessing her with this prayer… “I keep you always in my prayer, and may God keep you in His care, and whilst we quest we know not where, may you keep watch on all that’s fair and gentle in this land.”
(6.) Other Knights – Many of the knights who had vowed to take this Quest of the Grail in their excitement of the moment were now evidently having some misgivings about the whole idea. They were very sad they had to bid farewell to Camelot, to their lovers and friends, not knowing if they would ever see them again. Sir Gawaine, though, was practically giddy with joy as he saw all these knights preparing for the Quest. Sir Percivale and Sir Bors vowed to stay close to young and relatively inexperienced Galahad to protect him from harm, sensing that “His calling’s high, but in the end he’s just a tender lad.” Lancelot held a private lover’s meeting with Guinevere, during which they prayed together, despaired of their frustrating lover’s dilemma which didn’t seem to have a solution, and finally they kissed each other good-bye.
(7.) King Arthur – He decided to hold a big celebration that was worthy of the Quest, complete with priestly prayers, blaring trumpets, swords and shields being displayed, and many minstrels busy with their triumphant songs in the court. “Never again had Camelot so fair a company… the knights who found all ground is holy ground for love and chivalry.” But Arthur was solemn as he stood on the walls of the castle and watched all his best friends depart for parts unknown and hoping for the best in their Quest for the Grail. Arthur was well aware that many might fail in the Quest, that he might never see some of them again. As they rode off on their horses to “take what God might send,” Arthur’s royal herald cried out, “Now part your ways to east and west, to south and north as each likes best, for each must face alone his test. God grant you mercy in your quest, and may He be your guide.”
(8.) Chivalry – And what was this code of chivalry taken by all those accepting the responsibility of knighthood? Surely the chivalric code went way beyond merely being courteous and polite! Historical records confirm that true knights in shining armor rejoiced in the privilege of keeping certain standards of moral integrity, such as developing a lifestyle of virtue and valor; giving refuge for the weak and the orphan; promoting the peace and order of the kingdom; honoring, protecting and cherishing the lives of women because they are the bearers of life; confronting evil with courage and never fleeing a righteous battle; rescuing the innocent when in distress; upholding the Christian faith in the land. Centuries ago, one version of chivalry was represented by a pentangle, a five-pointed star that symbolized the five points of the chivalric code: friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy and piety.