The Shattered Chalice: Arthur and Christ in Howard Pyle

By Kathryn Ann Hill

It is not required that Christians be readers: faith comes by hearing. But it is often true that believers in Christ, born and reared by words of the utmost importance and beauty, will develop a love for literature that wants feeding. So, when you are not reading the Good Book, where do you turn for a good read?

Turn to Howard Pyle’s Arthuriad. The tales of King Arthur and his knights "were never so finely told in prose before," wrote Mark Twain of his fellow American’s fourbook series. These are stories of knights and the famous round table, of queens and romance, of chivalry and courage. But even beyond the plots and characters, the themes in the stories can point us toward Christ.

Lutheran readers accustomed to the liturgy and hymns of The Lutheran Hymnal will feel right at home with Pyle’s stately prose. Consider this excerpt from the first book:

Then Merlin smiled upon the King, though not with cheerfulness, and said, "Lord, why art thou in such haste? Know that when this Round Table shall be entirely filled in all its seats, then shall thy glory be entirely achieved and then forthwith shall thy day begin for to decline. For when any man hath reached the crowning of his glory, then his work is done and God breaketh him as a man might break a chalice from which such perfect ichor hath been drunk that no baser wine may be allowed to defile it. So when thy work is done and ended shall God shatter the chalice of thy life."

Then did the King look very steadfastly into Merlin’s face, and said, "Old man, that which thou sayest is ever of great wonder, for thou speakest words of wisdom. Ne’theless, seeing that I am in God His hands, I do wish for my glory and for His good will to be accomplished even though He shall then entirely break me when I have served His purposes."

Lutherans find here not only familiar elegant diction, but also an arresting word picture that helps us meditate on the Passion of our Lord. The Gospel of John teaches us that Christ is glorified when He is lifted up on the cross (John 3:14-15; 8:28; 12:23-24, 32; 17:1-4). His crowning glory there is a crown of thorns. The blood Christ shed there is the perfect sacrifice for sin, acceptable to the heavenly Father as the perfect wine is offered to and accepted by the lord of a banquet. Christ drank the cup of God’s wrath (Mark 14:36; John 18:11). It pleased God to crush Him (Isaiah 53:10). By faith in our Savior, we are spared the death our sins deserve. We receive instead, from His Holy Chalice,forgiving, life-giving blood.

Pyle’s Arthuriad, like other books about Arthur published in the early twentieth century, was meant to teach young men chivalry and integrity. No Christian would quarrel with Pyle’s exhortations, placed here and there between compelling knightly adventures, to imitate good behavior and avoid temptation. But Lutheran readers will find most thrilling those glimpses of Christ that show forth in knightly deeds.

Our Lord suffered humiliation in order to work our redemption. Think of Christ when you read more of this episode from book three: In order to free the captive Queen Guinevere after his horse is slain, noble Launcelot rides to the rescue in a fagotmaker’s cart. This was the mode of transport reserved for lawbreakers on their way to the gallows. Though he accomplishes the queen’s rescue, he is bitterly scorned by his kinsmen knights for choosing this humble way of travel.

In loyalty to his king, Sir Gawaine weds an ugly old hag to reward her for saving Arthur’s life. Read this story with a surprise ending in book one. Then ponder how Gawaine’s marriage is a picture of Christ and His Church.

Pyle’s Arthuriad is by no means the exclusive territory of young men. Young women will also find sympathetic, exemplary heroines.There is likely nowhere else in English fiction a more powerful picture of womanly dignity and grace than Elaine the Fair’s behavior when she finds her husband alone with the powerful, seductive Guinevere.

Fans of the popular Harry Potter books and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings will find similar attractions within the world of King Arthur. When the luminous Lady of the Lake appears, Rings fans will be sure they have wandered very near Tolkien’s Elvish forest. The wizard Merlin, guardian and advisor to Arthur, is likely the model for Gandalf. And Morgana le Fay and the more-than-mischievous Vivien, out of envy and spite, work potent spells against good King Arthur.

Even better than discovering a good book is to find that its author has written several sequels. Pyle’s four books of Arthurian tales promise you many hours of reading pleasure, with moments that will quicken your understanding of Christ’s redeeming work for you.

Kathryn Ann Hill, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is wife of the Reverend Michael James Hill and copyeditor of Gottesdienst: A Quarterly Journal of the Evangelical- Lutheran Liturgy.