In Le Morte d’Arthur, which knight achieves the Holy Grail?

Sir Galahad achieves the Holy Grail in Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur.

Malory’s 15th-century English compilation presents Galahad as the spiritually pure knight whose character qualifies him to complete the Grail quest. In the Grail episode, Galahad joins Sir Percival and Sir Bors, and the three encounter the sacred vessel after a series of adventures and tests.

Lancelot is also an important Grail knight, but his worldly and adulterous relationship with Guinevere prevents him from attaining the same spiritual success. Percival reaches the Grail in several earlier traditions and remains one of its principal heroes, but Malory gives the final achievement to Galahad.

The story draws on earlier French prose romances, especially the Queste del Saint Graal. Malory adapted those materials rather than inventing the Grail tradition from scratch.