N I G H T B R I N G E R . S E
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LONGINUS
- Longinus
Longis
Named first in the First Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval and in the Didot-Perceval as the Roman centurion who was said to have pierced the side of Jesus while Christ hung on the Cross following the Crucifixion (John 19:34).
- Longinus' Spear
Longius Spear, The Spear of Vengeance(?)
This lance, called the Bleeding Lance or Avenging Lance, found its way to Britain and became one of the objects in the Grail Procession. It constantly dripped blood from its tip. His name reflects the Greek word for "spear"
Balin found this spear in a chamber of King Pellam's castle: "a marvellous spear strangely wrought" standing on a table of clean gold with four silver legs, in a chamber "marvellously well dight and richly, and a bed arrayed with cloth of gold." Since Pellam was pursuing him for killing Garlon, Balin snatched up the spear to defend himself and dealt Pellam the Dolorous Stroke, at which "three counties" were wasted and most of the castle caved in. Although Balin had not known it, this was the spear with which the centurion Longinus smote Our Lord on the cross.
It would seem to be as well the same Spear of Vengeance which other knights beheld in the Grail Castle, Carbonek. Sometimes they saw it bleeding; sometimes it came and wounded them when they slept in the Castle Adventurous. Galahad healed the Maimed King by anointing him with blood from the spear.
In XVII, 5, Malory tells us that Pelles [Pellam] was smitten through both thighs with the spear because he dared try to draw David's Sword when he found Solomon's Ship. I suppose that the spear did not come at once of itself, but that some time elapsed before Balin unwittingly administrated the punishment of the Dolorous Stroke as described above. After Galahad's death, the spear was taken to Heaven along with the Grail.
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