Finding the grail - a possibly new perspective

From: kynara54leddon (Original Message)
Sent: 7/1/2008 10:02 PM

BRADAMANTE:

"O chaste and noble maiden, the future mother of heroes, the glory of Italy, and destined to fill the whole world with their fame."(1)

In both Ludovico Ariosto's work Orlando Furioso(1516) and Matteo Maria Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato (1487), the "Virgin Knight" Bradamante (also spelled "Bradamant" is portrayed as one of the greatest female knights in literature. As a Christian knight, the legendary "White Plume and Shield of the House of Clairmont" was considered equal to any foe.

In one story in the Tales Of Charlemagne, Bradamante defeats by her prowess in single combat, Sacripant, king of Moorish Circassia. In another celebrated adventure, Bradamante defeats the Moorish knight Rodomont in a "Pas d'Armes" (Passage at Arms), freeing by her valor all of the knights imprisoned by the King. Merciful in victory as was her wont, she spares her adversary.(2)

For more information on Bradamante and her adventures, I recommend the following online resource:

http://www.bartleby.com/183/8.html

BRITOMART:"

For she was full of amiable grace,
And manly terrour mixed therewithall,
That as the one stird vp affections bace,
So th'other did mens rash desires apall,
And hold them backe, that would in errour fall;
As he, that hath espide a vermeill Rose,
To which sharpe thornes and breres the way forstall,
Dare not for dread his hardy hand expose,
But wishing it far off, his idle wish doth lose."(3)

In Edmund Spencer's Elizabethan work The Faerie Queene (1590) the warrior virgin Britomart (or "Britomartis") represents the virtue of Chastity. Skilled in fighting and stout of heart Britomart, daughter of Ryence, King of South Wales, had an amazing capacity for calm thought in even the most tumultous circumstances.

Roaming the world in search of her true love Argetall, Princess Britomart and her aged nurse/"squire" Glauce met and vanquished all the Princess met in combat. To her lance fell such puissant knights as Sir Guyon, Sir Blandamour and Sir Paridellas (as well as the unnamed Knights of Castel Joyous.) A Champion to those who sought her aide, even an Enchanter's wiles could not deter her from her duty or Quest.

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(1) Bulfinch, Thomas. Age of Fable: Vol. IV: Legends of Charlemagne. Vol. VII. 1913. http://www.bartleby.com/183/8.html (Download 7-1-08 )
(2) Legends of Chivalry: Medieval Myth. Metro Books, New York (2000) Pg. 47
(3) Spencer, Edmund. The Faerie Queene. Book 3, Canto 1. http://gorddcymru.org/twilight/camelot/faerie_queene/faerie_queene_book3.htm(Download 7-1-08 )