Experts respond to author's claim that Holy Grail is in Lincoln Cathedral
June 16th 2010
Experts respond to author's claim that Holy Grail is in Lincoln Cathedral
COULD the quest for the Holy Grail truly end at Lincoln Cathedral?
Retired naval officer, explorer and author Ernest Coleman, 67, claims in his new book The Grail Chronicles that the chalice buried with medieval Bishop Oliver Sutton is the cup Jesus used at the last supper.
Mr Coleman, of Bishop Norton, near Market Rasen, said: "I provide a path for it to come through, if that's the case."
The Dean's Verger, John Campbell, said there were currently no plans to have the chalice dated, saying that more pressing matters included maintaining the cathedral and continuing its daily mission.
He added that ornamental cups were commonly made to bury with clergymen at the time.
Mr Campbell said: "We assumed it was new when it went into the ground.
"They were manufactured to be buried with priests and bishops.
"But this chalice may have been given to Bishop Sutton when he was ordained.
Mr Coleman argues that the Knights Templar got hold of the grail and pressured a debt-ridden Edward I to give it to Bishop Sutton for safe-keeping.
Adam Daubney, Lincolnshire finds liaison officer, said: "Although this is undoubtedly a fascinating vessel, I believe it has all the characteristics of a vessel of the early middle ages. Though the Holy Grail is a nice story, I believe it is nothing more than a myth.
Gillian Jolly, volunteer coordinator at the cathedral treasury, said: "Mr Coleman's story is certainly very interesting, but whether it's true or not I don't know.
"I listened to his lecture last week and he jumps hundreds of years and crosses continents.
"It would be a wonderful thing if what he says is true but, in any case, it is an intriguing tale."
