Lost King Arthur and Merlin tale found in 800-year-old book fragments ‘could reveal Holy Grail secrets’
Legend has it Arthur defeated the Saxons and established a vast empire in the early 6th century
FRAGMENTS of a long lost tale about King Arthur and his close friend and wizard Merlin may lead historians to the legendary Holy Grail.
Handwritten 800 years ago, the texts tell of the Battle of Trèbes, in which Merlin inspires Arthur's forces with a stirring speech and leads a charge using a magical, fire-breathing weapon.
In total, seven pieces of Medieval manuscript were discovered in an archive at Bristol central library.
They were tightly bound in a volume of the works of a 16th century French scholar.
Experts are now analysing the fragments, which are thought to be a version of the Estoire de Merlin – the story of Merlin.
But while the manuscripts tell tales of several Arthurian legends, they feature subtle but significant changes to the traditional stories.
For example, different characters are responsible for leading the four divisions of Arthur's forces.
"These fragments of the Story of Merlin are a wonderfully exciting find," said Dr Leah Tether, President of the International Arthurian Society.
"They may have implications for the study not just of this text but also of other related and later texts that have shaped our modern understanding of the Arthurian legend."
Tales of King Arthur are largely based on folklore and a handful of Medieval texts, and historians still dispute whether he actually existed.
What was the Holy Grail?
Here's everything you need to know...
- The Holy Grail is a mythical treasure that regularly pops up in legends about King Arthur.
- Legend has it that the Grail, often depicted as a golden cup or other drinking vessel, was used by Christ at the Last Supper.
- In ancient texts, Arthur and his band of soldiers set out on many quests to find the mythical object.
- It is said to give whoever finds it magical powers, including eternal life and happiness.
- Some believe King Arthur eventually found the object and hid it somewhere around Britain.
Legend has it that Arthur was a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established a vast empire in the early 6th Century.
He is famed as the head of the kingdom Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table who went on various quests with his band of brave soldier.
One such quest saw them hunt for a priceless object known as the Holy Grail.
The Grail, a vessel used by Christ at the Last Supper, gave its users magical powers, and some believe Arthur eventually found the object and hid it somewhere around Britain.
If the Bristol fragments were printed in a modern paperback, they would fill 20 pages.
They are also heavily damaged, and it will take experts at the University of Bristol some time to decipher them.
"Time and research will reveal what further secrets about the legends of Arthur, Merlin and the Holy Grail these fragments might hold," Dr Tether said.
Arthur's legend has been popularised by many Medieval writers, including Geoffrey of Monmouth, as well as countless modern TV and film adaptions.
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But whether or not the ruler existed is still up for debate.
One researcher believes he was a myth dreamed up as a ‘Celtic superhero’ mixture of five real warlords.
Historian Adrian Grant thinks the round table legend was born in Barwick-in-Elmet near Leeds in 475.
You can check out our full guide guide on the story of Camelot and King Arthur by clicking here.
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