Peter


    1. Peter
      Peron, Perron, Petreus, Petrus, Pieres, Pierre, Pierres, Pierron

      A follower (and/or a relative) of Joseph of Arimathea, mentioned by Robert de Boron and the Vulgate Estoire del Saint Graal. Robert tells us that he was assigned the task of traveling to the Vale of Avaron (Avalon?) in Britain and to await the coming of the third Grail Keeper (unnamed, but probably Perceval).

      In the Estoire, Peter is an ancestor of Lot and Gawain. His cousin, Simeon, tried to murder him, but succeeded only in giving him a poisoned wound. As it festered and caused great pain, Peter was sent out to sea to find his fate. He washed up at Orkney, where King Orcant’s daughter found a Christian doctor to heal him.

      In gratitude, Peter championed King Orcant against King Marahant of Ireland. Peter slew Marahant, winning the respect and friendship of Orcant and King Lucius of Britain, both of whom subsequently converted to Christianity. He married Camille, Orcant’s daughter, and inherited the kingdom of Orkney, which he passed on to his son, Herland.


    2. Peter des Roches
      Peter of the Rocks, Bishop of the Butterfly

      A historical bishop of Winchester, whose episcopate lasted 1204-38.

      According to the Lanercost Chronicle (Cronicon de Lanercost), he came upon a house in which Arthur was still alive and banqueted with him in 1216. In order that people would know he told the truth when he spoke of this, Arthur gave the bishop the power of closing his hand and, upon opening it, producing a butterfly. This power led to his being called the Bishop of the Butterfly.


    3. Peter, Saint
      Simon Peter

      An early Christian leader and according to the New Testament, he was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is a saint and traditionally considered to be the first bishop and Pope (AD 30-64 or 67) by the Roman Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Orthodox Church.

      He was the son of John (or Jonah, or Jona), from Bethsaida in Syria in the province of Galilee or Gaulanitis. He had a brother named Andrew who also was an apostle. His birthname was Shimon or Simeon and he was a married fisherman.

      The See of Rome is traditionally said to be founded by Peter and Paul. He is, according to Catholic tradition, buried in the grottoes of Saint Peter's Basilica.