The Questing Beast (King Arthur, Medieval Mystery)
Nov 10, 2023
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Exploring the myth of the Questing Beast in King Arthur tales, both as a cryptid and a product of medieval imagination. Sir Palomides' quest for the beast and the symbolism of the Pelican. Unraveling the mystery through speculation and possible giraffe inspiration. Upcoming episode: UFOs and the Big Sur Nuclear Missile Shoot Down.
The questing beast in King Arthur's tales is described as a creature with a serpent-like head, leopard-like body, lion-like hindquarters, and stag-like hooves.
The questing beast may have been inspired by giraffes, as they share similar physical characteristics with the mythical creature.
Linguistic analysis and historic records suggest that the questing beast was influenced by encounters or descriptions of giraffes in medieval Europe.
Deep dives
The Questing Beast in Arthurian Legend
The questing beast is a creature that appears in the literature about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Described as the strangest beast that Arthur ever saw, it has a head like a serpent, a body like a leopard, hindquarters like a lion, and hooves like a stag. The questing beast gets its name from the noise it makes, resembling 30 or 60 dogs baying. Its origin is traced back to Thomas Mallory's book, 'The Death of Arthur,' and it is often associated with knights on a mission to catch it, such as King Pelinor and Sir Palomides. Despite its mystical qualities, there is a theory suggesting that the questing beast was possibly inspired by giraffes, as they share similar characteristics, such as a long, serpent-like neck, leopard-like spots, lion-like hindquarters, and cloven hooves.
The Mystery of the Questing Beast's Description
The description of the questing beast raises questions about its origin and the possibility of its existence. While some argue that it is purely a product of medieval imagination, others propose that it was inspired by a real animal. Giraffes emerge as a strong candidate, based on their long necks, leopard-like spots, lion-like hindquarters, and cloven hooves. The theory suggests that knowledge of giraffes reached medieval Europe through trade routes and royal menageries, leading to sightings or descriptions that influenced the legend of the questing beast. The variations in its depiction, including descriptions in French Arthurian literature, provide further support for the giraffe hypothesis.
Potential Confirmation and Further Insights
Additional evidence and linguistic analysis lend support to the theory that the questing beast is inspired by giraffes. The Arabic terms associated with the questing beast in Sir Palomides' language - 'deuce' and 'Daglor' - have possible connections to Arabic words meaning 'sweet,' 'charming,' and 'giraffe.' The description of the beast's body, neck, spots, tail, and hoof structure align with the physical characteristics of giraffes. The theory suggests that encounters or descriptions of giraffes in Europe, possibly as escaped animals from royal menageries, influenced the depiction of the questing beast in Arthurian legend.
The Identity of the Questing Beast
The questing beast, a legendary creature mentioned in Arthurian literature, is widely believed to be based on the exotic giraffe. Evidence from medieval descriptions, historic records, and linguistic analysis indicate that the questing beast shared remarkable similarities with giraffes. In medieval texts, the questing beast's appearance and behavior closely resembled that of a giraffe, including its leopard-like hide, cow's hooves, impressive height, and long neck. Additionally, the questing beast was known for a distinct baying sound, which aligns with recent studies revealing that giraffes make low-frequency humming sounds at night. The identification of the questing beast as a giraffe provides a plausible explanation for its origin and solves the mystery surrounding its existence.
The Quest of Sir Palomides
Sir Palomides, a noble knight in Arthurian legend, embarked on a quest to capture the questing beast. However, he made a vow that he would not be baptized until he accomplished this goal. After engaging in intense battles, Sir Palomides ultimately defeated and injured a fellow knight named Sir Galeron. His close companion, Sir Tristan, intervened and persuaded Sir Palomides to reconcile and embrace Christianity. Following their reconciliation, Sir Tristan and Sir Galeron accompanied Sir Palomides to a nearby church, where he received baptism. With the questing beast quest fulfilled, Sir Palomides continued his journey while his friends returned to King Arthur's court.
The tales of King Arthur are filled with mysterious creatures, including one called the Questing Beast. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this strange and mysterious cryptid, whether it was just a creature of Medieval imagination or if it could have a basis in the real world.
