From Ritual to Romance

"From Ritual to Romance" by Jessie L. Weston is a detailed study that explores the connections between old rituals, traditional stories, and the tale of the Holy Grail. The book argues that the Grail legend comes from ancient fertility cults and ways of worshiping nature. It looks at different religious traditions to show how they shaped the stories and symbols in the Grail romances. Weston wants to explain where the Grail legend came from, pointing out different ideas about whether its roots are Christian or from folklore. She talks about previous research and suggests that the different stories are mixed together, and that it's important to look at them as a whole to understand what the Grail really means. Weston shares her research, mentioning scholars who influenced her, and explains that she wants to offer a new idea that combines different pieces of evidence about the legend's roots in old rituals.