Excalibur+and+the+Holy+Grail

//Quick Facts // What: The Holy Grail was the supposed cup that Jesus used at the Last Supper Who: Joseph of Arimathea had this cup When/Why: The challis was taken from Joseph’s position because of its special powers. The location of the challis is unknown. It is prophesized that it will be recovered by one of Joseph’s desendants Where: Unknown
 * ﻿ The Holy Grail **

//Details // The Holy Grail is largely believed to be the chalice used by Jesus in the Last Supper. The story of the Holy Grail begins with Jesus’ uncle, Saint. Joseph of Arimathea. Saint. Joseph used this cup to collect Jesus’ blood and sweat during his crucifixion. After that event, it is said that Saint. Joseph was imprisoned in a rock tomb and was left to starve. But the Holy Grail replenished his thirst and hunger during his stay in the tomb. After this, Saint Joseph then moved to present day Glastonbury in England. He housed the sacred vessel in a spectacular castle guarded by the Grail Kings, Saint. Joseph’s daughter and son-in-law. Centuries later, under the Court of King Arthur, it was predicted to be rediscovered by only the best knight.

 media type="youtube" key="RDM75-oXGmQ?fs=1" height="385" width="480" align="center" A Hollywood interpretation of the Holy Grail


 * The Excalibur **

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//Quick Facts // What: Excalibur is King Arthur's second, most precious and magical sword. Who: Merlin had the Lady of the Lake give the Excalibur to King Arthur. When/Why: After breaking his first sword, King Arthur is given the Excalibur. Where: The legends says the Lady of the Lake's hand rose out of the lake holding the sword.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Details // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Sometimes blended with the legend "The Sword in the Stone" regarding King Arthur and his other sword, the Excalibur is said to have been given to Arthur by Merlin through the Lady of the Lake when his original sword, the one pulled from the stone, broke. After the sword from the stone broke, Merlin, Arthur’s advisor and wizard, feared Arthur would quickly meet his doom, so he arranged for the Lady of the Lake to hand Arthur the Excalibur, an invincible weapon, and scabbard to always save him from harm. This scene is often depicted with an elegant white arm lifting the Excalibur from the lake and presenting it to Arthur. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The French gave Arthur’s sword the name Excalibur, but it was also called Caliburn and Caladfwlch which means “hard lightening”. It is said to have been crafted on Isle of Avalon which is also where King Arthur is last heard of residing. Excalibur’s blade is indestructible and defeats every opponent until it and its scabbard were taken by Morgan le Fay. The Excalibur was found, but the scabbard was lost forever. This led King Arthur to be unprotected and seriously injured during the Battle of Camlann, so he was taken to the Isle of Avalon. Some versions of the story of King Arthur include Arthur’s knights returning Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake after Arthur’s downfall.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Works Cited // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Ford, David. "A Discussion of the Origins of King Arthur's Sword ." Britannia Articles. Britannia, 2000. Web. 15 Nov 2010.<http://www.britannia.com/history/arthur/excalibur.html>.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">"King Arthur and the Legendary Sword Excalibur ." Historical Names. Family Gifts of Distinction, n.d. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://www.historicalnames.com/king-arthur-excaliburs-sword-legend-movie.htm>. code http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDM75-oXGmQ code