Dear Students,
You will note in this reading (lines 528-632) of Chretien de Troyes’s epic poem that Perceval’s mother refers to Christ being killed by the Jews. It was a common belief in the Middle Ages, and persists in some quarters to this day, that Christ’s fellow Jews killed him, but of course it was the Roman authorities, namely Pontius Pilate, who tried and convicted him. It is not uncommon when reading old or ancient texts that we come across beliefs that we now consider racist or misogynistic, and I trust none of you will take offense at this instance. This reading is one of four which I hope to post by Monday. Perceval001