Crusade Against the Grail
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"[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."
Product Description
This book presents the history of the Papal persecution of the Cathars that lies hidden in the mediaeval epic, "Parzival", and in the poetry of the troubadours and provides new insights into the life and death of this gifted and controversial author. "Crusade Against The Grail" is the book that popularised 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 thrilling explorations of the Pyrenean caves where the heretical Cathar sect took refuge during the 13th century. Over the years the book has been translated into many languages and exerted a large influence on, for example, Trevor Ravenscroft, author of the bestseller "Spear Of Destiny". It, also, has been cited in the bestseller "Holy Blood", "Holy Grail", but it has never appeared in English until now. Much as German archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann, used Homer's Iliad to locate ancient Troy, Rahn believed that Wolfram von Eschenbach's mediaeval epic "Parzival" held the keys to the mysteries of the Cathars and the secret location of the Holy Grail. Rahn saw "Parzival" not as a work of fiction, but as an 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. Otto Rahn is seen by many as the model for Indiana Jones. He was almost certainly murdered by the Nazis in the Tyrolean Mountains in 1939. This book is an invaluable addition to the English language Grail and Templar literature.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Otto Rahn was clearly very dedicated to his subject matter,which is not an easy one.I take my hat off to the Translater,he has done a supreme job.From the first page,I was enthralled,although it is tough reading,it is well worth the effort.
If you wish to gain a real understanding of these people and their beliefs,this publication gives a brilliant insight.By far the most important book on that list.
Otto has taken a route which many other authors have ignored,through his own exploration instead of via the often deceptive writings of others.
If you wish to gain a real understanding of these people and their beliefs,this publication gives a brilliant insight.By far the most important book on that list.
Otto has taken a route which many other authors have ignored,through his own exploration instead of via the often deceptive writings of others.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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6 reviews
38 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Cathar religious beliefs and practices, and war against them by popes and kings
1 Dec 2006
Format:Paperback
The heretical Cathars of southwestern France regarded the legend of the Holy Grail--not the actual chalice reputed to have captured blood of the crucified Jesus--as symbolism for the survival of the human soul. This belief which conflicted with Roman Catholic teachings about the symbolism of the cross aroused the enmity of the Roman Catholic Church in the early Middle Ages in its determination to be the unrivaled, unquestioned authority in spiritual and even many political matters. The Knights Templar were another group seen by popes and many secular rulers too as potential threats to their power and position. The German author-scholar Rahn of this work originally published in 1933 (this is the first edition in English) sees in early, suppressed versions of the medieval poem "Parzival" references to this Cathar belief along with recountings of its practices. A central topic is the importance of the many caves in the region to this spirituality. This connection between the caves and the spirituality is found in parts of "Parzival"--e. g., "[The hermit] led young Parsifal to the second cave in which an uncovered 'altar' was located." The Cathars also hid in caves to escape the Church's forces and Inquisitors. Rahn made extensive explorations of the region's caves to better appreciate the quality of the Cathar spirituality and its differences from that of the prevailing Catholicism promulgated by the popes and their secular allies. 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.
33 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Make No Mistake, Says Rahn, The Grail Is A Stone
19 Nov 2006
Format:Paperback
I give this first English translation of Rahn's book only four stars as opposed to five due to it's beginning, 'Parcifal'. A long, convoluted histriography of English and French noblemen is given that in short, to me, is bordering on the incomprehensible.
The text moves along, though, to the Cathars at the turn of the thirteenth century in the south of France. The 'pure ones' profess God is Love, and a Spirit, and that the Heaven we long for is beyond the stars. Flesh is separated from Spirit in man, resulting in a radical dualism that did not sit well with the Holy Mother Church. Gnosticism is present in their worldview as they look at the Old Testament God as evil, the one who enclosed the pure souls of men in foul matter. There is too much misery in the world, at the turn of their century to accept an all god Creator, benevolent and all knowing. A little sophistication is required to explain the harsh realities of day to day life. And theirs is the longing. The longing for something 'other', something greater than flesh and blood and ultimately transcendent.
The Grail, a stone that fell from the sky, presumably this version being it was a jewel stone in the crown of Lucifer when he fell, is destined for the bowels of Mt. Tabor, home of the last Cathar castle in Montseg'ur.
Troubadors, steeped in Catharism and protectors of their near holy Minnes, are keepers of the oral tradition concerning the Grail. Specifically, Wolfram Von Eschenbach, in his version of Parcifal, is the real deal according to Rahn.
As in other Grail romances, the stone just appears, and is pre-christian. It's main miraculous power is to fill the serving bowls and goblets with food and wine.
The crusade spoken of in the title is the Catholic Church, and specifically Pope Innocent III, swearing to stamp out the hideous heresy fulminating in the south of France. Politically, Paris wants a unified France, and is the secular arm to the holy crusade against Catharism.
Much time is spent revealing the horrible methods of torture and killing in the name of stamping out the heresy. The Church certainly is not depicted as either 'Holy' or as a 'Mother', but rather a vehicle through which corrupt Popes realize their full capacity in obtaining every earthly power possible.
Heartbreaking.
Rahn's language, here translated, is lyrical and poetic in it's own right, highly reminiscent to me of Goethe with his Faust at times.
A very good read for those interested in history, mysticism, esotericism, or Gnosticism.
The text moves along, though, to the Cathars at the turn of the thirteenth century in the south of France. The 'pure ones' profess God is Love, and a Spirit, and that the Heaven we long for is beyond the stars. Flesh is separated from Spirit in man, resulting in a radical dualism that did not sit well with the Holy Mother Church. Gnosticism is present in their worldview as they look at the Old Testament God as evil, the one who enclosed the pure souls of men in foul matter. There is too much misery in the world, at the turn of their century to accept an all god Creator, benevolent and all knowing. A little sophistication is required to explain the harsh realities of day to day life. And theirs is the longing. The longing for something 'other', something greater than flesh and blood and ultimately transcendent.
The Grail, a stone that fell from the sky, presumably this version being it was a jewel stone in the crown of Lucifer when he fell, is destined for the bowels of Mt. Tabor, home of the last Cathar castle in Montseg'ur.
Troubadors, steeped in Catharism and protectors of their near holy Minnes, are keepers of the oral tradition concerning the Grail. Specifically, Wolfram Von Eschenbach, in his version of Parcifal, is the real deal according to Rahn.
As in other Grail romances, the stone just appears, and is pre-christian. It's main miraculous power is to fill the serving bowls and goblets with food and wine.
The crusade spoken of in the title is the Catholic Church, and specifically Pope Innocent III, swearing to stamp out the hideous heresy fulminating in the south of France. Politically, Paris wants a unified France, and is the secular arm to the holy crusade against Catharism.
Much time is spent revealing the horrible methods of torture and killing in the name of stamping out the heresy. The Church certainly is not depicted as either 'Holy' or as a 'Mother', but rather a vehicle through which corrupt Popes realize their full capacity in obtaining every earthly power possible.
Heartbreaking.
Rahn's language, here translated, is lyrical and poetic in it's own right, highly reminiscent to me of Goethe with his Faust at times.
A very good read for those interested in history, mysticism, esotericism, or Gnosticism.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Generally good...
13 Feb 2008
Format:Paperback
In spite of it's rather winding way of getting to a point, this is a good solid book on the heretical view of the Cathars that the Roman Catholic Church held of it.
I did have a problem with certain inconsistensies. The chapter on the Cathar doctrine, begins by saying that not one Cathar book was saved from the fires. Then the author begins telling you of their doctrine and beliefs. There is only one place to gather any data from, and that is archelogical findings, or the writings used to condemn them by the Church.
Other than this, and other misnomers that in the the years since it was written have had new light shed on them, this is a very helpful book.
I did have a problem with certain inconsistensies. The chapter on the Cathar doctrine, begins by saying that not one Cathar book was saved from the fires. Then the author begins telling you of their doctrine and beliefs. There is only one place to gather any data from, and that is archelogical findings, or the writings used to condemn them by the Church.
Other than this, and other misnomers that in the the years since it was written have had new light shed on them, this is a very helpful book.
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