Though only noted briefly in the Bible as the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper, the Holy Grail has over the centuries become the centerpiece of a rich tapestry of history, myth, and legend, to the point where its very name now symbolizes an elusive, perhaps unattainable goal. "The Holy Grail: History and Legend" provides a comprehensive cultural and historical introduction to grail literature, tracing the grail from its first appearance in medieval romance through its transformation into an object of mystical significance in contemporary literature and film. It is a journey rich with holy relics; poets, novelists, and knights; outlandish speculation, and serious thought.