In Arthurian Grail legend, what title is given to the wounded ruler who guards the Grail?

In Arthurian Grail legend, the wounded ruler who guards the Grail is called the Fisher King.

The Fisher King is a central figure in medieval Grail romances, especially stories descended from Chrétien de Troyes’s Perceval. He is often physically injured, and his wound is linked symbolically to the sickness or barrenness of his kingdom. The visiting hero’s failure to ask an important question can prevent healing and renewal.

Different romances develop the character in different ways. Some present more than one wounded king, while others connect him with the Grail’s custodial family or with a separate figure known as the Rich Fisher. Consequently, details of his injury and relationship to the Grail are not identical in every medieval text.

The title also became widely known through modern literature and film, but its roots are in medieval Arthurian storytelling rather than in a single historical person.