Monty Python and the Holy Grail
By Colin G. Hoch
FEW
OTHER FILMS HAVE GARNERED THE
Germanic tribes in direct competition with Roman Civilization. In the other
historically based film, Monty Python's Life of Brian, he and the other
FOLLOWING
AND
CULT
CREDIBILITY
OF
Pythons do an excellent job blending comedy with the factual era of Roman
MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL.
controlled Judea. It is only in Holy Grail that we see rather large mistakes
in such a popular and beloved film.
The brainchild of Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, two members of
the Monty Python comedy troupe, the film is set in medieval England and
draws upon many established legends and realities of the era. The Pythons,
famous for their uniquely British sense of humor, often take cues from
history in their works. Numerous figures of the past have had a Python
representation, such as Napoleon, Hitler, and the infamous priests of the
Spanish Inquisition.
From the very beginning credits we are shown that the date of the
film is set in stone at 932A.D., the late Anglo-Saxon age, but from then on
are no other implications that would lead someone to believe it. Upon
seeing Arthur, clad in all mail with a white surcoat, and kite shaped shield,
we are transported nearly hundreds of years into the garb of the late 11 th
and 12 th centuries. Arthur's knights, including famous names such as
Lancelot and Galahad, fare no better in accuracy. All appear in full chain
In Holy Grail the group unleashes its
comic satire upon their
mail with a surcoat and kite shaped shield. Sir Galahad's equipment is even
homeland of Britain and its greatest legend, King Arthur and his Knights of
emblazoned with what appears to be St. George's Cross, a striking symbol of
the Round Table.
The narrative is centered around Arthur's divinely
England's
role in the Crusades and of the Knights Templar.
Minor
ordained quest for the Holy Grail, and the exploits of his most trusted
characters receive also the post-Norman conquest aesthetic, with guards
knights in its pursuit.
Contained amidst the off the wall comedy and
wearing padded and studded jerkins and the traditional English war helmet
timeless absurdity, are very real satirical insights into the medieval way of
of pounded steel. This style of helmet was a favorite of English armies
life for every social distinction and the two most powerful forces of the age,
throughout the post-Norman middle ages until its final incarnation as the
the Church and monarchy. From peasants wallowing in the mud to the
"Tommy" helmet of the first and second World Wars. The guards are also
mighty company of Arthur's knights, the people of England are represented
armed with elaborate pikes, called Bills that did not see action in this period.
wholly. Scattered about the film, however, are numerous anachronisms that
None of the characters, save the rarely changing peasant class, appear
detract from the film's satire for the student of history. While unnoticed by
Anglo-Saxon in their manner or speech. This may be attributed either to
the casual viewer, these mistakes are blatant in an academic approach.
poor scholarship, or in reference to the medieval practice of portraying
It seems very uncharacteristic of Terry Jones, a noted historian as
historical figures and scenes in contemporary trappings.
well as comedian, to include so many out of place elements of the period
In reality, the equipment and dress of the Anglo-Saxon
said to be represented in the film. After his time with the Pythons he went
professional warrior would have been more akin in our modern perception to
on to produce several books and television documentaries, including inthat of the Vikings than a Knight of the Crusades. Few but the wealthiest
depth looks at the lives of Ancient and Medieval peoples. Jones is often
Anglo-Saxon lords and warriors could purchase the protection of chain mail,
found challenging popularly held views of the ages
which he covers,
and even at that time it did not cover the entire body like that of Arthur and
highlighting their sophistication rather than their
simplicity.
In his
his knights. The shield was more than often round and wooden with a raised
documentary, Terry Jones's Barbarians, he stresses the contributions of the
steel cap called a Boss in the center, like that of their Viking adversaries.
war leader of the Britons who brought peace to the land for a generation with
Lower class members of the Anglo-Saxon army, the Fyrd, were required to
his victory over the Saxons at Mons Baddon. The romantic Arthur of the 12
own the very basic of military necessities like that of a helm and lance. The
th and 13 th centuries, the very same Arthur of the film, describes himself as
heavily armed and armored knights of Arthur seem as out of place as the
"the defeater of the Saxons." Later in the film, the Battle of Baddon Hill is
next prominent anachronism, that of the castle.
named in reference to the original sources. When the film's Arthur speaks,
he refers to himself as King of the Britons and sovereign of all England. The
Prior to the invasion of England by the Normans in 1066, there
were no true castles in the sense of the imposing stone fortifications that
come to the mind. That innovation was brought to England by William the
Conqueror to better control the population of his new kingdom. William at
use of the antiquated terms Briton and Saxon describe how the legend of
Arthur was passed down through the generations. Also the existence of this
dark age figure in Crusade era garb displays correctly how each generation
adapted it to their age.
first constructed hundreds of Mot and Bailey fortifications, which were
essentially large earthen mounds with a wooden keep. Over time with the
Another correct medieval theme employed in the film is that of
consolidation of his power, he granted the construction of traditional style
the superstitions of the people. Early on in Arthur's travels, he comes across
castles to the 180 Companions of the Conqueror, his closest vassals.
a group of peasants who have captured what they believe to be a witch.
Famous castles such as Warwick and the Tower of London are attributed to
They then ask their lord and owner of the fief, Sir Bedevere, if they may
this revolutionary period of British history and the will of the ruler who
burn her at the stake. Taking comedic license, Sir Bedevere is presented as a
shaped it. Later great castle builders, such as Edward I, would capitalize on
man of reason in line with the likes of Thomas Aquinas or Robert
the strategic importance of these bastions of military might, and further
Grossteste. He reasons that should the accused weigh as much as a duck,
spread their influence over the land and its people.
then she is made of wood, and therefore is a witch and may be burned. This
highlights the strange blending of faith and science in his character, unlike
In the supposed period of the film, 982, the traditional stone castle
was nowhere to be seen. This is not to say the Anglo-Saxons did not have
fortifications, but rather they were of a much different structure and concept.
Most fortifications of this period are constructed of wood, and harness the
landscape around them for greater defensive capability, such as the Burgh
fortifications of Alfred the Great in his war against the Danes. The film
however, features several castles in the High Medieval style encountered
along the route of the journey. The fictional locations of Arthur's Camelot,
the ignorance of the masses. As more knights like Sir Bedevere join Arthur
in his quest, the path to the Grail leads them into the darker regions of the
realm.
Coming into contact with the spirits of the forest, the dreaded
Knights of Ni, we see the very real notion held by the medieval mind that
evil lurked amongst them, especially in the forests. Other mythical beings,
such as the three-headed knight, the sorcerer Tim, and the vicious Killer
Rabbit, although comical in their intent, do reflect the very ancient English
belief that the supernatural was all around.
Swamp Castle, "French" Castle, and the mystic Castle Aaagh are shot mostly
using the very real Castles Doune, Glen Coe, and Stalker in Scotland. The
trouble is that none of these will come to be accurate for over a century.
The two greatest institutions of the Middle Ages, the Catholic
Church and the monarchy, both come under heavy satire by the Pythons. In
a scene depicting a peasant village devastated by an unnamed disease, we
Despite these glaring faults in chronology, a comedic but largely
accurate use of sources can be found of the period the film truly represents.
The late 11th to the 13th century is perhaps the best frame for the legendary
tale, ironically enough about a man who most likely lived at the end of the
Romano-Britain age. Contained within the works of Gildas, a 6th century
historian of Britain is the story of Arturias. Arturias is described as a great
see a group of monks passing through while chanting in Latin. However, not
only do they seem oblivious to the plight of the common villagers, they
smack a board on their forehead in rhythm to the chant. This is perhaps in
reference to the practice of harming oneself as a display of piety used by
some orders of medieval monks, but rather in the film, it comes off as an
insult in displaying the stubbornness of the Church. Later a contingent of
Anthrax.
Surrounded by beautiful young women eager to seduce the
priests traveling in Arthur's company assists the knights by supplying the
handsome knight, Galahad displays the model of chastity in his defiance.
Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, which destroys the mighty Killer Rabbit.
Upon stumbling into the bathing chamber however, he begins to rethink his
However in typical Python fashion Brother Maynard, the leader of the
position. Just as he cracks, Lancelot bursts through the door and "rescues"
priests, spouts nonsense from his texts in relation to the use of the weapon.
Galahad from a very good time.
The Pythons often take jabs at the highly structured pomp of the Catholic
Church, and Holy Grail is no exception.
Later in the film, Lancelot receives a message from what he
believes to be a distressed young damsel and sets off for another rescue.
The other foundation of the medieval system, the monarchy, also
However, upon rushing Swamp Castle he discovers that the damsel was
does not escape their intellectual blows. Near the opening of the film, King
merely the effeminate son of the castle's lord who had cold feet on his
Arthur comes into contact with a peasant couple who have some ideas about
wedding day. Yet before Lancelot discovered this, he had stormed in, killing
government that are not to his taste. He first inquires about the identity of
innocent bystanders and wedding guests to reach the tallest tower, where he
their lord, to which they respond that they have no lord and that they are an
had envisioned a maiden distraught.
autonomous collective. Arthur, becoming annoyed, announces his position
as their King to elicit their respect. "Well I didn't vote for you!" is the
response of the peasant woman. The King then backs up his claim to their
obedience with the story of his gaining of Excalibur from the Lady of the
Lake, and his divine right to rule. The peasant man, oddly named Dennis,
answers back that "supreme executive power derives from the mandate of
masses." The responses of the peasants come straight from immensely
influential figures such as Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. The struggle
between the ideal of an absolute monarch and the Social Contact come to a
head when Arthur becomes cross and throttles the poor serf. The Pythons
Chivalry had clouded his judgment for our entertainment value.
When the knights are united, they encounter a castle held by a French lord
on English soil, possibly an illusion to the Angevin Exiles of the reigns of
John and Henry III. The defenders of the castle, in a caricature of French
manners, taunt Arthur and his knights with insults to their honor. Their
sense of wounded pride prompts them to attack against impossible odds only
to be driven back when the saucy French begin to lob livestock over the
parapets as artillery. Arthur and his knights are continually foiled by their
adherence to the principles of Chivalry.
skillfully employ the ideas of the late 18 th century and its enlightened
While Monty Python and the Holy Grail is meant for
thinkers, in a medieval setting to great comedic effect.
entertainment, as is evident of the huge following it has produced since its
Of all the themes presented, none catch more of the satire than
that of Chivalry itself. Not only does it run the course of the entire film, but
leads Arthur and his knights to many of their exploits. The rules of the
practice, faith in God and the Church, service to the feudal lord, and courtesy
to women and the weak, are specifically shown when the knights split up to
search separately.
release 31 years ago, comedy is not the only idea that it gets across. As a
backdrop for this wonderfully written satire are several insights into the
beliefs and institutions which were paramount in the lives of our ancestors.
Perhaps upon viewing the film multiple times, the average fan will begin to
look past the coconut horses and the killer rabbit to see an accurate overview
of the medieval spectrum. As a student or just a simple appreciator of
History, one may look past its faults and hope that a continued popularity
Sir Galahad, who in the Arthurian legends was renowned for his
purity and service to God, finds himself the guest of temptation at Castle
will spur interest in Arthur, the Middle Ages, and Monty Python for
generations to come.
Hoch, Colin G. “Satire in Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. N.d. 25 Feb 2011. <http://clioseye.sfasu.edu/Archives/Student%20Reviews%20Archives/MontyPython(Hoch).htm>
NAME:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Medieval Satire
SATIRE, is the use of wit and humor with a critical or even judgmental attitude. Irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or exaggeration is used
to expose or denounce the faults of humanity, an institution, or a society. The aim of the satirist writer is to expose the faults and
foolishness of others in order to correct human behavior. To fully appreciate the movie you are about to watch, you should be
familiar with satire.
During the movie, please complete this chart. For each fact you supply, be sure to explain how the Monty Python
Boys turn it into satire (how do they make it funny)? To earn full credit you will need 15 examples total.

What we KNOW about the medieval  HOW Monty Python satirizes what we
period, or the legends of King Arthur and
know.
his Knights of the Round Table, chivalry,
In what why do they poke fun of
history, filmmaking, etc...
something we know?
A trusty horse is very important to a knight—in fact chivalry derives
from a word that describes one’s skill at riding a horse.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
King Arthur is pretending to ride a horse, and his squire is using
coconut shells to mimic the sound of galloping hooves.

What we KNOW about the medieval  HOW Monty Python satirizes what we
period, or the legends of King Arthur and
know.
his Knights of the Round Table, chivalry,
In what why do they poke fun of
history, filmmaking, etc...
something we know?
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.