Forges innovative connections between monastic archaeology and heritage studies, revealing new perspectives on sacred heritage, identity, medieval healing, magic and memory. This title is available as Open Access.

A description of Glastonbury that remains one of the most evocative and poignant accounts of this wild yet holy place; a power center polarizing with distant Jerusalem and linking and harmonizing the Christian way with the primeval and pagan past of England.

Glastonbury, with the distinctive landmark of the Tor, is a familiar name to many. Its fame lies not simply in its renowned festival, but in its legendary associations with King Arthur and with Joseph of Arimathea, whose staff was supposed to have grown into Glastonbury Tor. Philip Rahtz has excavated extensively in and around Glastonbury, and disentangles the myths from the truths, giving a comprehensive survey of this remarkable place from the earliest times to the present day.

The real mystery is the Real Presence "The Grail Code satisfies the hunger that people have for knowledge of this mystery. The true Grail bears witness to a divine gift that exceeds even the deepest human longing." --Scott Hahn, author of "The Lamb's Supper "and "Hail, Holy Queen" The Holy Grail stories possess a mysterious power that has seized the human imagination for centuries. They tell of a great secret finally revealed, of a surprising answer to the most profound questions, of a hidden mystery that satisfies our deepest longings. Writers, poets, artists, composers, and filmmakers have pursued the Grail for 1,700 years. The great quest drives the legends of King Arthur, propels Indiana Jones's greatest adventure, and keeps many people turning the pages of "The Da Vinci Code." These tales of quests and miracles and of honor and betrayal have capti-vated humankind for so long, say the authors of "The Grail Code," because the stories really do touch the deepest parts of our hearts. They reveal our innate yearning to know Christ, to be in communion with the Divine. What we've lost in the pop-culture transformations of the Grail is what made it holy in the first place: the intimate link with the Eucharist. "The Grail Code "is a literary and theological detective story, centuries in the making, that ends where the Grail legends began--in the room where Jesus gathered his closest friends for the last time, spoke blessed words, broke bread, and shared a sacred cup.