"I have known the weight of suffering and woundedness for most of my life and have learned much through this.I bring the wisdom of suffering and the hope of restoration that attends all men in such situations."
-The Camelot Oracle-
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King Pelles isn't as complex as some of the previous characters have been. What he is though, is a King with many faces. In fact, many people wonder if Pelles is really four characters combined into one. As the test of time advances though, his character has reflected many events. King Pelles is not a grand King, even though he is a keeper of the grail. Such a noteworthy, and sacred thing, for such a broken King as King Pelles. While the many different natures and events of King Pelles shine forth knowledge, none are more significant than his love of fishing. It is this one moment, this one characteristic, that has given him a distinct name amongst all of the Arthurian Tales.
King Pelles is at first, wounded by the Lance of Longinus. This lance is, in a sense, cursed. Only the grail winner, wielding the same lance, can heal the wound of King Pelles. The kingdom, as a result of the seemingly permanent wound, suffers. It was believed that only a whole king could be kind, and King Pelles' lands became desolate. This wasteland earned King Pelles a new name, the Maimed King. It wasn't long before the only comfort he felt, came from a small fishing boat. This love and comfort of fishing, earned the Maimed King a fonder name. The Fisher King was born in that moment, only waiting for the day that he could be healed by the grail winner.
Soon, King Pelles became tired of waiting for the grail winner. Pelles recognized in Lancelot, the qualities of a grail winner. When Pelles' daughter, Elaine, fell in love for Lancelot, the future became clear. The King approved of the magic used to bring about Galahad's birth, though could never produce that magic himself. As the story goes, Galahad would become the true grail winner. In a sense, King Pelles, is the head of the grail family. His kingdom becomes restored, only when Galahad has wielded the Lance of Longinus. While the land became whole again, King Pelles, was never the same king. He retired to a monastery, choosing to become, in his final moments, a holy man.
While the tales of King Arthur are mixed with Paganism and Christianity, it is Christianity that shines through in King Pelles. He is the original "fisher of men" of the time period. This parallel is painstakingly obvious, even for those who know little about Christianity. While King Pelles approved of magic, he could, himself, not perform it. There is the slight hint of a blending of religions in that statement. The fact that King Pelles retires to a monastery and becomes a holy man, is also intriguing. He does not stay a prosperous king, despite being repaired physically. In a way, he is made new, and becomes a new creature. Such reflections of the Christian faith, make King Pelles, an oddly Christian figure within the Arthurian Tales.
In magic, King Pelles can be seen as a guide to comfort the sorrowful. He knows the pain of physical inability, yet hopes for the day he is restored. The time he spends maimed, has taught him to be restful. He knows now the ways to enjoy life, though in quite solitude. The spirit rests, and finds its own comfort, especially if one seeks out King Pelles' guidance. At times, King Pelles can simply be a direct link to the act of fishing. The comfort of fishing is real for many people, including those walking a Pagan path. The Fisher King stands as a welcoming figure, to the secrets of a small boat and a fishing pole. For those brave enough to try, silence can be a welcomed comfort.
Whether one sees King Pelles as a generally Pagan or Christian figure, he remains with many faces. He is the Maimed King, who can be made whole again. There is also the Fisher King, a king lost of his grandeur, and finding comfort in a small fishing boat. He is the grandfather of Galahad, father of Elaine, and head of a the grail family. A retired king turned holy man, or a king still left to be maimed of his kingdom. In the end, King Pelles is a kind, gentle, and wise figure. We could all do well to learn his lessons, and to seek comfort in the silence of that small fishing boat. At times, we need to quite our daily lives, and hear the small waves of the water. We need to feel the warmth of the sun on our back, and know one day, we will be restored again and made completely new.
Soon, King Pelles became tired of waiting for the grail winner. Pelles recognized in Lancelot, the qualities of a grail winner. When Pelles' daughter, Elaine, fell in love for Lancelot, the future became clear. The King approved of the magic used to bring about Galahad's birth, though could never produce that magic himself. As the story goes, Galahad would become the true grail winner. In a sense, King Pelles, is the head of the grail family. His kingdom becomes restored, only when Galahad has wielded the Lance of Longinus. While the land became whole again, King Pelles, was never the same king. He retired to a monastery, choosing to become, in his final moments, a holy man.
While the tales of King Arthur are mixed with Paganism and Christianity, it is Christianity that shines through in King Pelles. He is the original "fisher of men" of the time period. This parallel is painstakingly obvious, even for those who know little about Christianity. While King Pelles approved of magic, he could, himself, not perform it. There is the slight hint of a blending of religions in that statement. The fact that King Pelles retires to a monastery and becomes a holy man, is also intriguing. He does not stay a prosperous king, despite being repaired physically. In a way, he is made new, and becomes a new creature. Such reflections of the Christian faith, make King Pelles, an oddly Christian figure within the Arthurian Tales.
In magic, King Pelles can be seen as a guide to comfort the sorrowful. He knows the pain of physical inability, yet hopes for the day he is restored. The time he spends maimed, has taught him to be restful. He knows now the ways to enjoy life, though in quite solitude. The spirit rests, and finds its own comfort, especially if one seeks out King Pelles' guidance. At times, King Pelles can simply be a direct link to the act of fishing. The comfort of fishing is real for many people, including those walking a Pagan path. The Fisher King stands as a welcoming figure, to the secrets of a small boat and a fishing pole. For those brave enough to try, silence can be a welcomed comfort.
Whether one sees King Pelles as a generally Pagan or Christian figure, he remains with many faces. He is the Maimed King, who can be made whole again. There is also the Fisher King, a king lost of his grandeur, and finding comfort in a small fishing boat. He is the grandfather of Galahad, father of Elaine, and head of a the grail family. A retired king turned holy man, or a king still left to be maimed of his kingdom. In the end, King Pelles is a kind, gentle, and wise figure. We could all do well to learn his lessons, and to seek comfort in the silence of that small fishing boat. At times, we need to quite our daily lives, and hear the small waves of the water. We need to feel the warmth of the sun on our back, and know one day, we will be restored again and made completely new.
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