Morwenstowe

“Idylls of the King” written by Tennyson was heavily influenced by his knowledge of, and meetings with, Parson Hawker of Morwestow who, amongst his varied and eccentric activities, was a well recognized authority on Arthurian matters.

In 1863, Hawker wrote the epic poem “Quest for the Sangrall” ("The Sangrall" in the Provencal French means "cup" or "basin"). The poem has been described as the most successful poem inspired by the Arthurian legends since the Middle Ages. Longfellow remarked that he had read Tennyson’s “Holy Grail” and Hawker’s “Quest” and thought the latter far superior!

A verse from "Quest for the Sangrall":

"I have no son, no daughter of my loins,

To breathe, 'mid future men, their father's name:

My blood will perish when these veins are dry.

Yet am I fain some deeds of mine should live-

I would not be forgotten in this land:

I yearn that men I know not, men unborn,

Should find, amid these fields, King Arthur's fame!

Here let them say, by proud Dundagel's walls-

They brought the Sangrall back by his command,

They touched these rugged rocks with hues of God:

So shall my name have worship, and my land!

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