Description
Book SynopsisCrusade Against the Grailis the daring book that popularized the legend of the Cathars and the Holy Grail. The first edition appeared in Germany in 1933 and drew upon Rahn’s account of his explorations of the Pyrenean caves where the heretical Cathar sect sought refuge during the 13th century. Over the years the book has been translated into many languages and exerted a large influence on such authors as Trevor Ravenscroft and Jean-Michel Angebert, but it has never appeared in English until now. Much as German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann used Homer’s Iliadto locate ancient Troy, Rahn believed that Wolfram von Eschenbach’s medieval epic Parzival held the keys to the mysteries of the Cathars and the secret location of the Holy Grail. Rahn saw Parzivalnot as a work of fiction, but as a historical account of the Cathars and the Knights Templar and their guardianship of the Grail, a “stone from the stars.” The Crusade that the Vatican led against the Cathars became a war pitting Roma (Rome) against Amor (love), in which the Church triumphed with flame and sword over the pure faith of the Cathars.
Trade Review"A better study of the Cathar spirituality could not be found. And beyond delving into it uniquely and sympathetically, Rahn uses it like a prism to bring out the religious conflicts of the time." * Henry Berry, The Midwest Book Review, Nov 2006 *
"This is a superb introduction to the Cathars and Grail mysticism and we are privileged to have it at last available in English." * Living Traditions Magazine, Feb 2007 *
"[This] is the book that popularized the legend of the Holy Grail: its first edition appeared in Germany in 1933 and presented the author's own account of his explorations. Its appearance in a new updated edition is a 'must' for understanding the history and legend of the Gail, searches for its truth, and the involvement of the medieval epic Parzival in the Cathar/Grail saga." * Diane C. Donovan, California Bookwatch, Feb 2007 *
"
Crusade Against the Grail is indeed a daring and audacious book that opens many doors to the wisdom of the Cathars, and certainly makes a trip to the hidden fortresses of the Cathars even more inviting." * Lesley Crossingham, New Dawn, May-June 2007 *
Table of Contents Translator’s Foreword
Map of Southern France
Prologue Part One Parsifal
Part Two The Grail
The Golden Fleece
Gwion’s Cup
How the Bard Taliesin Came to the World
The Legend of the Bard Cervorix
The “Pure Ones” and Their Doctrine
The Caves of Trevrizent Close to the
Fountain Called La Salvaesche
Monmur, the Enchanted Castle of Oberon
Muntsalvaesche and Montségur
Repanse de Schoye
Part Three The Crusade
Part Four The Apotheosis of the Grail
Appendix: Observations on the Theoretical Part
Notes
Bibliography
Index
