# Joseph of Aramathie — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide

> Joseph of Aramathie in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Joseph Aramathie, Joseph

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

The biblical figure who brought the Holy Grail to Britain.

## In the story

### [How Balin was delivered by Merlin, and saved a knight that would have slain himself for love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as bringing part of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ into this land.

### [How Sir Launcelot came to Pelles, and of the Sangreal, and of Elaine, King Pelles’ daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as a cousin of King Pelles.

### [How Sir Bors Made Sir Pedivere to Yield Him, and of Marvellous Adventures That He Had, and How He Achieved Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned in the old man's song about coming into this land.

### [How Galahad Departed with the Shield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x)

His son made the shield for King Evelake; Joseph was imprisoned in Britain and later rescued.

### [The Shield of Joseph and the Tomb of the Fiend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi)

On his deathbed, he makes a cross on King Evelake's shield with his own blood as a token for King Evelake.

### [How Sir Percivale came into a monastery, where he found King Evelake, which was an old man.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as the one who converted King Evelake and brought him to this land.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as having preached the victory of King Evelake after the passion of Christ.

### [How King Pelles was smitten through both thighs because he drew the sword, and other marvellous histories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

Referenced indirectly through the lineage and the holy history; associated with the coming of the maiden knight.

### [How Galahad came to King Mordrains, and of other matters and adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii)

Mentioned as the father of the founder of the tomb of King Bagdemagus, and the sin against him caused the soul in the flaming tomb to be purged.

### [The Holy Grail Appears to Galahad and His Fellows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx)

Appears as a bishop with angels, performs the mass, and instructs the knights.

### [How Galahad Was Made King and Saw the Sangreal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxii)

Appears as a bishop to celebrate Mass and reveals himself to Galahad.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/joseph_of_aramathie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters