In Search of the Holy Grail

The Middle Ages, the age of Charlemagne, Chaucer and Dante, had an indelible effect on European culture. In Search of the Holy Grail is a survey of the fascination for the Middle Ages, and for medieval values, on later periods and on the modern world. Many artistic, political and literary movements have drawn inspiration and sought their roots in the thousand years between 500 and 1500 AD. Medieval Christianity, and its rich legacy, has been the essential background to European culture as a whole. Gothic architecture and chivalry were two key concepts to Romanticism and Victorianism, while nationalist states, including the Nazis, looked back to the Middle Ages to find emerging signs of national character. In literature and art few myths have been as durable or popular as those of King Arthur, stretching from the Dark Ages to Hollywood. In Search of the Holy Grail is a vivid account of how later ages learnt about and interpreted the Middle Ages. Veronica Ortenberg shows how medieval ideas surround us still in the twenty-first century.

This book surveys the influence of the middle ages, and of medieval attitudes and values, on later periods and on the modern world. Many artistic, political and literary movements have drawn inspiration and sought their roots in the thousand years between 500 and 1500 AD. Medieval Christianity, and its rich legacy, has been the essential background to European culture as a whole.Gothic architecture and chivalry were two keys to Romanticism, while nationalists, including the Nazis, looked back to the middle ages to find emerging signs of national character. In literature few myths have been as durable or popular as those of King Arthur, stretching from the Dark Ages to Hollywood. In Search of the Holy Grail is a vivid account of how later ages learnt about and interpreted the middle ages.

Veronica Ortenberg has taught at the University of Wales at Lampeter; she now works on the Victoria County History for Oxfordshire.