Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

349lord, had been lamed. Peredur had been shown these things toincite him to avenge the wrong, and to prove his fitness for thetask. The “nine sorceresses of Gloucester” are said to have beenthose who worked these evils on the relatives of Peredur. Onlearning these matters Peredur, with the help of Arthur, attackedthe sorceresses, who were slain every one, and the vengeancewas accomplished.The Conte del GraalThe tale of Chrestien de Troyes called the “Conte del Graal” or“Perceval le Gallois” launched the story in European literature.It was written about the year 1180. It agrees in the introductory [405]portion with “Peredur,” the hero being here called Perceval.He is trained in knightly accomplishments by an aged knightnamed Gonemans, who warns him against talking overmuch andasking questions. When he comes to the Castle of Wonders theobjects brought into the hall are a blood-dripping lance, a “graal”accompanied by two double-branched candlesticks, the light ofwhich is put out by the shining of the graal, a silver plate andsword, the last of which is given to Perceval. The bleeding headof the Welsh story does not appear, nor are we told what the graalwas. Next day when Perceval rode forth he met a maiden whoupbraided him fiercely for not having asked the meaning of whathe saw—had he done so the lame king (who is here identicalwith the lord of the Castle of Wonders) would have been madewhole again. Perceval's sin in quitting his mother against herwish was the reason why he was withholden from asking thequestion which would have broken the spell. This is a very crudepiece of invention, for it was manifestly Peredur's destiny to takearms and achieve the adventure of the Grail, and he committedno sin in doing so. Later on in the story Perceval is met by adamsel of hideous appearance, who curses him for his omissionto ask concerning the lance and the other wonders—had he doneso the king would have been restored and would have ruled hisland in peace, but now maidens will be put to shame, knights