| Nanteos Cup | |
|---|---|
| Cwpan Nanteos | |
 The Nanteos Cup, photographed in 2016 | |
| Material | Hardwood (wych elm) |
| Size | ⌀ 12 cm |
| Created | 14th–15th century |
| Discovered | c.1878 Strata Florida Abbey, Ceredigion, Wales 52°16′30″N 3°50′22″W / 52.275104°N 3.839376°W |
| Present location | National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth |
The Nanteos Cup (Welsh: Cwpan Nanteos) is a medieval wood mazer bowl, held for many years at Nanteos Mansion, near Aberystwyth in Wales.[1]
Since at least the late 19th century, it has been attributed with a supernatural ability to heal those who drink from it and traditionally believed to be fashioned from a piece of the True Cross.[2] By the early 20th century, it had become a candidate – one of at least 200 in Europe – for the Holy Grail.[3][4] Juliette Wood, a folklorist specialising in medieval folklore and Celtic mythology, has stated that there is "no credible reference" to the cup prior to the end of the 19th century and "no mention of possible connections to the Grail until 1905."[5]
In 1977, the cup was displayed at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, as part of the "Aberystwyth 1277–1977" celebrations marking the 700th anniversary of the granting of the town's charter by Edward I. Specialists from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales used the opportunity to examine the cup and concluded that it dated from the Late Middle Ages and was carved from wych elm.[6] In July 2014, it was reported that the cup had been stolen from a house in Weston under Penyard while the occupant to whom it had been loaned was in hospital.[7] It was recovered in June 2015.[8] Following the recovery of the cup, the owners placed it in the care of the National Library of Wales, where it went on permanent public display in June 2016.[9]
- ^ Barber, Richard (2 December 2004). The Holy Grail: The History of a Legend. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-140-26765-5.
- ^ "The Nanteos Cup: Curious Relic in North Cardiganshire: Remarkable instance of faith cure". Western Mail. No. 8255. Cardiff. 5 November 1895 – via 19th Century British Newspapers.
- ^ Thorpe, Vanessa (26 January 2014). "Holy Grail quest set to bring tourist boom to 'magical' Nanteos House in Wales". The Observer. London. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ^ "Crowds flock to Spanish church after holy grail claim". The Guardian. London. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ^ Wood, Juliette (5 March 2013). "The Phantom Cup that Comes and Goes: The Story of the Holy Grail". Gresham College. London. Lecture given at the Museum of London. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ^ "Object of romantic history". Cambrian News. Aberystwyth. 13 May 1988. p. 30.
- ^ Lusher, Adam (15 July 2014). "Nanteos Cup: Relic debunked as Holy Grail in documentary stolen from sick woman's home". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Stolen 'Holy Grail' chalice to be reunited with owners". BBC News. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru - National Library of Wales: Discover the 'Holy Grail' at The National Library of Wales". www.llgc.org.uk. Retrieved 17 June 2016.