Josephe, son of Joseph of Arimathea, converted King Evelake, giving him the baptismal name Mordrains, and helped him win a war against King Tolleme. The war was won partly with the help of this shield, which had a sweet aroma and of which it was said that it would render its bearer victorious and be the cause of many miracles. At the time of Mordrains’ war against Tolleme, the shield bore the figure of Christ on the Cross, and touching this image healed at least one man’s battle wound. Thereafter the image disappeared, leaving the shield white as snow.
When Josephe lay on his death bed, he marked the shield anew with a cross drawn with the crimsom of his nosebleed. He left the shield, so marked, as a token for Mordrains, who was to leave it in his turn in the same abbey where lay Nascien the Hermit, there to await Galahad.
Only Galahad could take the Adventurous Shield. Anyone else who tried to bear it away would be killed or maimed within three days. A White Knight, apparently an angel waiting to avenge the shield, struck down and wounded King Bagdemagus two miles from the hermitage when he tried taking it.
See also
Abbey of the Adventurous Shield | The Legend of King Arthur