The Medieval Psyche of the Quest
The Grail romances arise amid mature Latin Christianity, Eucharistic devotion, crusading culture, knightly aristocracy, monastic spirituality, relic culture, Marian devotion, courtly love, Celtic and Breton materials, vernacular literature, and social transformation. Mythically, the Western soul was imagining an initiatory Christianity of the Knight—not only the cleric or monk. The Grail translated Christic longing into adventure, ordeal, and service.