From Ritual to Romance (eBook)

Jessie Laidlay Weston (1850–1928) was a pioneering scholar in Arthurian studies. Her most notable work, 'From Ritual to Romance', makes a profound examination of the Grail legend, suggesting its roots lie in fertility rites and that the Grail story should be seen as a myth reflecting these rituals. Weston argued this was evidence of a pre-Christian, vegetation-based cult echo within medieval Christian narratives. Whilst the scholarly community has since critiqued her conclusions, arguing they lack sufficient evidence, her work nonetheless remains influential in the field of mythography and has left a lasting impact on the study of medieval literature. 'From Ritual to Romance' (1920), which is shaped by her expansive knowledge of European folklore, won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for biography in its year of publication. Weston's literary style often melds detailed textual analysis with comparative mythology, and her works are indicative of the early 20th century's burgeoning interest in anthropology and the search for universal myth patterns. Today, her ideas continue to prompt debate and discussions amongst scholars of literature, myth, and religion.