Anfortas Rex - Beauty in Music
Dante Gabriel Rosetti - The Damsel of the Sanct Grael (1874)
A number of years ago I had the privilege of collaborating on the song ‘Kingdom of Aragon’ for Mandalaband’s fourth CD, AD Sangreal. That song is on my music page and, although a different piece from the album is our focus here, I would like to say the entire project was quite inspiring. I learned a great deal during my studies. San greal, for those who do not know, means Holy Grail but when you separate the letters as Sang real it means Royal Blood.
The Holy Grail serves as an important motif in Arthurian literature for this cup is said to have been at the Last Supper with Christ and holds special powers of happiness and eternal youth.
The mystery around this relic and quest for the Holy Grail has inspired poets, artists and musicians down through the ages. And it inspired musician-singer-producer David Rohl of Mandalaband to create a breath-taking collection of songs for the album AD Sangreal.
While working on the song ‘Kingdom of Aragon’ for the album, David shared other music tracks for the collection as well. When I heard his music for Anfortas Rex, I was so moved by its sweeping beauty I wrote the Anfortas Rex poem. I asked David if I could use his music for the reading and he kindly gave me permission. To also hear his beautiful song (with his vocals and lyrics) see the video below. And to learn more about this highly acclaimed band follow this link Mandalaband.
Further info on the background of Sangreal (including Anfortas Rex) can be found in quotes from Mandalaband’s website. A sample here:
There is a powerful legend that originates in the Romano-Spanish world which tells the tale of the cup used by Christ to celebrate the eucharist at the Last Supper, on the night before the crucifixion. It is on Jerusalem's Calvary that Mary Magdalene's uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, is said to have collected the blood of Christ in a red agate cup, later known as the legendary Sangreal (Holy Grail)…
The greatest of these Aragonese rulers is Alfonso el-Batallador ("the Battler") - Anfortas Rex of the Grail romances. His trusted commander is the French knight Rotrou III, Count of Perche, known as Perche Val (Perceval of the romances)…
The Sangreal, now mounted in a glistening chalice of gold and pearls, remains in San Juan de la Peña, guarded by the Knights Templar, until its removal in 1399 - first to Zaragosa, then Barcelona and finally to Valencia in 1437 where it stands today in its own chapel within the cathedral…
Anfortas Rex
As I held your broken body
Under the dark Aragon moon— you cried.
I tasted the salt of your wounds
That emptied from your deeply bruised soul.
I took the sword from your side
And laid it to rest in the shadows—
But as Luna rose and her shimmer
Caught the silver of the blade—
A sleepy wintry land came alive
Under the spell of such power.
For a moment
You forgot the bloodiness of battles—
The history that filled the hills
And mountains with remorse—
And in the magic of the rhythm
I felt the quickened beat of your heart.
Your stone face softened, ever gently—
Under a tender lover’s kiss;
The strain and torment
In your eyes, subsided—
As the heavy cross you carried
Disappeared.
The Sangreal mission
That you served in measure
To the very end—
Became your last breath
And vision— as dawn sprayed
Its gold across the green.
You left in a wake of glory—
You kept your faith
Though the question never came;
Now in death and transfiguration
The healing blood of Christ saves you
From your pain.
It led you to salvation— wisdom—
A castle wall, a cup of hope;
It took you on a journey
To scatter demons
And protect a legend
That hold so many in its care.
Under Mons Salvatoris
In a hidden chamber
Your Knights Templar remained close—
As the candle flickered
And you gave your last wishes
To guard the Santo Caliz and its home.
O Fisher King and Mighty Battler~
You closed your tired eyes
To look no more on foe;
Now you are standing
In a new world— in the Holy Light
Upon the golden Sangreal shores.
Cindy L Spear copyright 2020