E 326K // Literature of the Middle Ages in Translation: Mysteries of the Grail

Avalon

       The Isle of Avalon was a spiritual center. Clues of its existence began to emerge in Celtic Britain around the fifth and sixth centuries. Avalon is associated with the history of the Arthurian legends. We see references to Avalon in literature, including in Geoffrey Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain. In the story King Arthur is taken to the isle of Avalon to rest and heal after his last battle. The magical sword Excalibur is also said to be forged there. In the Black book of Carmarthen, it is said that Arthurs tomb is in Avalon. However, pagan Celts believed that the soul lives forever so Arthur was thought to be sleeping until his next coming and Avalon was the only place special enough to keep him. The location of Avalon has never been proven but was rumored to be Glastonbury in Somerset, England. In the fifth century Glastonbury was an island because of cyclic flooding in the area surrounding it. The water was said to be as smooth as glass which could be the origin of its Primitive welsh name “Ynys Witrin” or Glass Isle. It was also surrounded by apple orchards and given the name Ynys Avallach, which is important because in Celtic tradition apples represent magic and plenty. In Arthurs time it was occupied by the ancestors of the modern welsh.

      There have been many theories on the purpose of Avalon. In the book of Taliesin, a poem The Spoils of Annwn says that Arthur descended from Annwn, the Celtic otherworld, with his knights in order to steal a cauldron of plenty. Avalon is said to be the gathering place for departed spirits preparing for Annwn and is guarded by Gwyn ap Nudd, king of the Faeries. The cauldron Arthur planned to steal provided unending nourishment and is known as the original grail he and his knights quested for. Marion Zimmer Bradley’s, The Mist of Avalon, describes Avalon as belonging the last high priestess, Morgaine le Fey. Avalon is said to be the most sacred spiritual place in all of Britain and the keeping place of the Holy Grail. It is the place between the world we live in and the otherworld of Annwn. Avalon is considered to be an omphalos, or a center where one can cross between worlds. Also referred to as the “navel of the world”.

http://earlymedievalbritain.blogspot.com/2009/03/avalon-gateway-to-annwn.html?m=1