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I’ve cracked mystery of the Holy Grail
 
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Glasgow historian Mark has co-written a book about the Patene de Serpentine, inset, and its possible link to the Last Supper. Picture: Jamie Simpson
Glasgow historian Mark has co-written a book about the Patene de Serpentine, inset, and its possible link to the Last Supper. Picture: Jamie Simpson
 
The dish is one of many treasures kept in the Louvre in Paris
The dish is one of many treasures kept in the Louvre in Paris
 
 

by Wendy Miller

A GLASGOW historian believes he may have solved the world's most ancient mystery - and found the Holy Grail.

Mark Oxbrow is preparing to export his amazing discovery to the US leaving fans of book and movie blockbuster the Da Vinci Code with a new theory to consider.

During a trip to Paris, Mark, 36, from the West End, stumbled across what he believes is the real Holy Grail - and it's not a bloodline between Jesus and Mary Magdalene as claimed in the book and film.

While exploring medieval treasures in the Louvre, Mark found a green gem-encrusted serving dish which he thinks could have been used at the Last Supper.

Amazingly the French national treasure dates back to the time of Christ, matching descriptions of the Grail.

Mark's discovery is documented in a new book which has already sold thousands of copies - and is due to hit US and French bookstores in the New Year.

Mark's curiosity was aroused when he and wife Jill spotted the Patene de Serpentine tucked away in the medieval section of the Louvre Museum.

Back home Mark, a former Glasgow University lecturer, started to research the dish's origins, a trail that lead him closer and closer to the Holy Grail, the mystery which has confounded historians for centuries.

For hundreds of years now scholars and theologians have been unable to agree, even on the meaning of the Grail.

It used to be thought of as either the cup used to catch Christ's blood during his crucifixion or a dish used at the Last Supper.

Another theory is that the Grail is merely a Christian symbol while the Da Vinci Code controversially depicts it as the bloodline between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

French poet Chretien de Troyes wrote numerous stories about the Grail which Mark's research links to the Patene, used to serve mass wafers in the sacred ceremonies of the French royal court from the 12th century onwards.

Mark, a historian and folklorist, said: "It's impossible to prove 100% that the Patene de Serpentine is the real Holy Grail.

"But the Patene is a sacred medieval treasure that perfectly matches every detail of the earliest descriptions of the Grail.

"It was in the right place at the right time.

"There is certainly a lot of interest in the theory."

Dating back to 100BC and 100AD, the dish is also engraved with tiny golden fish, an early symbol of Christianity.

An A to Z of King Arthur and the Holy Grail by Simon Cox and Mark Oxbrow is out now on Mainstream Publishing priced £12.99.

Publication date 26/12/07
Posted by: FMJ, Glasgow on 2:01pm Wed 26 Dec 07
The only Holy Grail here is the mysterious secret shared by a select handful of authors around the world - that writing books about the Holy Grail makes you rich. If Messrs Cox and Oxbrow had to have their nether regions symbolically interfered with at some shadowy initiation ceremony to find that out, I'm not sure I'd trust their theories.
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Posted by: Ariadne, http://www.ariadnegr een.com on 8:45pm Wed 26 Dec 07
The Shroud, the tomb and now the Grail. What is this incessant need for physical evidence of something we all have within our hearts? The Grail, a spiritual mystery associated with Arthurian lore and the hero Perceval whose quest for the grail required that he answer an important question, "Who does the Grail serve", has fascinated spiritual seekers for centuries. To know who it serves, is the test of worthiness of its spiritual power and purpose. Its power and spiritual purpose is not discovered by combing a Museum of relics and bringing evidence to the table as if it will nourish our spiritual needs.

So, is it jeweled Pantene fit only for royalty or ornate enough for a church Mass? No! It is the outpouring of our hearts serving all of those who seek a Christ-like of love.Its wealth is a treasure beyond any material discovery,

Ariadne Green--author of Divine Complement
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Posted by: jrb, Glasgow on 9:46pm Wed 26 Dec 07
I seen the very same ,green encrusted serving dish, up the "barras" on sunday.The book, the pie dish, great publicity,"Where's holy willie when you need him....?????
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Posted by: thistlemad, Ayrshire on 12:44am Thu 27 Dec 07
Time to abolish all religion ......... for something that is supposed to spread peace and love, it certainly is responsible for the riches of a few and the death of millions of others!!!
The 21st century has arrived, maybe time mankind caught up???
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Posted by: aunt sally, glasgow on 3:36pm Thu 27 Dec 07
"I’ve cracked mystery of the Holy Grail"

aye good for you mate ! get a life
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Posted by: tam-m, southside on 7:09pm Thu 27 Dec 07
i have the real holy grail in my cupboard it looks just like an irn bru bottle and it was full of a lovely amber liquid ;which i drank;now it sits in my cupboard safe from prying eyes.--a historian and folklorist, said: It's impossible to prove 100% that the bottle is the holy grail, but i know the truth .
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Posted by: ferhatkanarya, Turkey on 6:26am Mon 31 Dec 07
The Holy Grail is in Saint Sophia Museum. I've cracked Shugborough Code. My website http://www.gradale.c
om pinpoints the location of the Holy Grail.
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