While there are still missing links in the chain of descent, versions to be reconstructed, writers to be identified, I believe that in its ensemble the theory set forth in these pages will be found to be the only one which will satisfactorily meet all the conditions of the problem; which will cover the whole ground of investigation, omitting no element, evading no difficulty; which will harmonize apparently hopeless contradictions, explain apparently meaningless terminology, and thus provide a secure foundation for the criticism of a body of literature as important as it is fascinating.

The study and the criticism of the Grail literature will possess an even deeper interest, a more absorbing fascination, when it is definitely recognized that we possess in that literature a unique example of the restatement of an ancient and august Ritual in terms of imperishable Romance.

NOTES

CHAPTER II

[1] Ms. Bibl.  Nat., f.  Franç. 12576 fo. 90. [2] Ibid. fo. 90vo, 91. [3] Diû Crône (ed.  Stoll, Stuttgart, 1852).  Cf.  Sir Gawain of the Grail Castle for both versions. [4] Cf.  Ms. B.N. 12576, fo. 154. [5] Perceval, ed.  Hucher, p. 466; Modena, p. 61. [6] Cf.  Hucher, p. 482; Modena, p. 82. [7] Percevel li Gallois, ed.  Potvin, ll. 6048-52. [8] Ib. ll. 6056-60. [9] Potvin, Vol.  I. p. 15. [10] Ib. p. 26. [11] Ib. p. 86. [12] Ib. pp. 176, 178. [13] Ms. B.N. 12576, ff. 221-222vo. [14] Mabinogion, ed.  Nutt, p. 282. [15] Cf.  Peredur (ed.  Nutt), pp. 282, 291-92. [16] Parzival, Book v. ll. 947-50. [17] Ib.  Book VI. ll. 1078-80. [18] Parzival, Book XVI, ll 275-86. [19] Cf.  Morte Arthure, Malory, Book XVII.  Chap. 18.  Note the remark of Mordrains that his flesh which has waxen old shall become young again. [20] Parzival, Bk.  IX. ll. 1388-92. [21] Sone de Nansai (ed.  Goldschmidt, Stuttgart, 1899), ll 4775-76. [22] Sone de Nansai, ll. 4841-56. [23] It is evidently such a version as that of Sone de Nansai, and Parzival, which underlies the curious statement of the Merlin Ms. B.N. f.  Fr. 337, where the wife of the Fisher King is known as ‘la Veve Dame,’ while her husband is yet in life, though sorely wounded.

CHAPTER III

[1] Cf.  Rig-Veda Sanhita, trans.  H. H. Wilson, 6 vols. 1854-1888.  Vol.  I. p. 88, v. 12. 172, v. 8 206, v. 10 Vol.  III. p. 157, vv. 2, 5, 7, 8. [2] Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Geschichte, Vols.  XXXVII. and XXXIX. [3] Cf.  Le Théatre Indien, Paris, 1890. [4] Cf.  Wiener Zeitsch, für die Kunde des Morgenlandes, Vol.  XVIII. 1904. [5] Leipzig, 1908. [6] Op. cit. p. 105. [7] Ib. p. 230. [8] Ib. p. 292, for sources, and variants of tale. [9] On this point cf.  Cornford, Origin of Attic Comedy, pp. 8, 78, for importance of this feature. [10] Op. cit. pp. 161-170, for general discussion of question, and summary of authorities.  Also pp. 297 et seq. [11] Cf.  Legend of Sir Peceval, Vol.  I. Chapter 3. [12] Ms. Bibl.  Nat., f.  Fr. 12576, fo. 173.  Cf. also Legend of Sir Perceval, I. Chap. 4. [13] Malory, Le Morte Arthure, Book XIV.  Chaps. 8 and 9.  Potvin, ll. 40420 et seq.