Toc: Preface 1 Source Abbreviations 3 Introduction 5 Part One: The Abduction of the Queen 1. Introduction to the Material 9 2. Chrétien’s Known Sources and Influences 14 3. The Characters and Their Roles 31 4. Literary Tools for Supplementary Material 38 5. Motifs and Details: Clues of Celtic Origins 46 6. The Sixth Century in Chrétien 64 7. Conclusion 71 Part Two: The Holy Object 8. Introduction to "Le Conte du Graal" 75 9. Philip of Flanders, Life and Influences 79 10. Grail Theories 83 11. The Characters and Their Roles 100 12. Literary Tools for Supplementary Material 107 13. Religion in Fifth and Sixth Century Britain 118 14. Motifs and Details: Clues of Celtic Origins 122 15. The Sixth Century in Chrétien 129 16. Conclusion 131 Part Three: Tristan 17. Introduction to the Tristan Legend 137 18. The Characters and Their Roles 146 19. Thomas of Britain 155 20. The Literary Source Material 158 21. Motifs and Details: Clues of Celtic Origins 167 22. The Sixth Century in Tristan 172 23. Conclusion 176 Appendix: Additional Thoughts 179 Chapter Notes 185 Bibliography 211 Index 225