The original Book of the Grail was written early in the 13th century, but only fragments of the manuscript survive. Originally titled The High History of the Holy Graal, this book was compiled in 1866 from a 16th-century copy of the original that was written in French by an anonymous author. This is the most complete version of the Grail story and is an essential addition to the library of anyone who is interested in this most enduring of legends about Perceval de Gallois and his sacred quest. Here is the most popular of all the ancient romance legends of the hero-king, the knights of the Round Table, the mysterious coming of the Holy Grail, the crown of thorns, the king who is a fisher of men (the fisher king), the reputed visit of Joseph of Arimathea (the Jerusalem tin-merchant whose tomb in that city was used by Jesus after his crucifixion, a figure also important in the English town of Glastonbury). Is this book an allegory for the sacred blood-lineage of Mary Magdalene and Jesus of Nazareth? A rare and important book. This edition is from the rare 1903 typeset edition.