The poem introduces the young Perceval, who grew up on the outskirts of civilization in Wales. Young Perceval, wanting a purpose in his life, decides to become a knight of King Arthur’s court after encountering a group of knights. He objects his mother and joins King Arthur’s knights, and immediately makes a name for himself after killing a troublesome knight. Nevertheless, Sir Kay makes a joke of him, and Perceval will decide to get his revenge.
Perceval’s first adventure is nothing less than heroic, rescuing the poor Blanchfleur and sending evidence to King Arthur. Perceval sets out to visit his poor mother who worried about his becoming a knight. On the way he finds himself visiting the Fisher King’s castle and witnessing strange events there, where men and women take part in a ritualistic carrying of various objects from one room to another. Among those objects is a grail.
Later, after discovering about his mother’s death, he also discovers that the grail could have been of life-saving importance to the king. The latter is revealed to him by a strange lady.
Further, in the novel, Perceval claims his position at King Arthur’s court, and exacts his revenge upon Sir Kay. The second, unfinished, part of the poem introduces King Arthur’s brave nephew and best knight Gawain, and deals with his adventures and glorious deeds.
