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Bran Oden, and the Fisher King: Norse Traditions and the Grail Legends

Norse mythology is often ignored by those who study the grail legends (the holy grail). The first reason as for why Norse mythology is ignored by those who study the grail legends is because because of its relationship with Christianity, and the second reason being the concern of transference of the Grail from Celtic myth to medieval romance (Stone, 1989). 

Odin, der Göttervater, Wilhelm Wägner, 1882.

When looking at the geographical home of the Grail legends it is first Celtic, then it is Norse/Germanic. The Fisher King is arguable the protagonist in all of the grail romances as well as his contributions to Bran and Odin. The first mention of the Fisher King was in the Grail romance, Perceval and was written around 1182 by Chrétien de Troyes. Perceval (the nephew of the king, and the grandson of the hermit) finds two men fishing and one of the men is the king, Perceval asks for directions where he is then sent to the Grail castle. Later Perceval meets with the king and apologies as he cannot appropriately greet the king. The two carry on a conversation when the king presents Perceval with a sward, fallowed by preparing the hall for a feast. When Perceval awakes the next day, he is in an empty castle and he goes on a walk. During his was he meets a girl who is his cousin and tells Perceval that the king was injured between his legs and this is why he fishes (Stone, 1989)

Branwen, Is the sister of Bran, and the daughter of Llyr. Branwen is to marry the Irish king Matholwch. As part of their union, the brides brother Bran gives the Irish king a magic cauldron that can restore life. One day the Irish king insults Branwen and because of this her brother Bran sets out to seek revenge, however with the cauldron that Brand gifted the Irish king, the kings army's are replenished. However with time the Irish kings army falls, Bran is injured in the battle and tells his remaining fallower to take his head back to Britain, so his followers along with his sister return. After some time, Branwen also dies with the grief she has for misery she feels for both lands (Stone, 1989).

Some of Odin's characteristics are similar to that of the Fisher king. Gylfi the Swedish king, traveled to Valhalla where he then sees three men surrounded by others who are "playing, drinking, and fighting."  The king of Sweden questions the three head men in regards to the gods. The information he is provided regard the Fisher king and the Grail castle, a list of Odin's titles and nicknames (this also relates to the Fisher king). Gylfi learns that Odin has two halls, Valhalla and Gimlé (Stone, 1989).

As mentioned, the grail legends are first Celtic and then they are Norse/Germanic, there is also a Christian background to this legend seeing as it is "the holy grail". The grail through out this story was described as a cup, this example has also been used throughout other historical texts and is said to hold such great power and that by drinking from it can bring immortality.

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