The Discovery of the Holy Grail by Andrew Sinclair (Arrow, £6.99 in UK)

The original concept of the Grail appears to lie deep in ancient pagan ritual, but in the Middle Ages it enjoyed a new, enhanced…

The original concept of the Grail appears to lie deep in ancient pagan ritual, but in the Middle Ages it enjoyed a new, enhanced cult, of which the most obvious example is Arthurian legend. It has become an intensely Christian symbol, popular as well as esoteric; Wagner used it in his operas, while in this century it also became embedded in certain aspects of Jungian psychology. Andrew Sinclair takes us on an extended historical and cultural tour, embracing an entire range of epochs and events, including the Knights Templar, the Puritan Fathers, and even the Nazis.