Judas Maccabeus, Judas Machabeus
A biblical figure who successfully revolted against the Syrians around 175b.c. and reclaimed Palestine for the Jews. Medieval legend also names him as the inventor of falconry.
In Perlesvaus, Gawain obtains a splendid shield which had supposedly belonged to Judas, and in the First Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval, he is named as the original owner of the fabulous Sword with the Strange Hangings.
In the Vulgate Merlin and the Livre d’Artus he is said to have established the adventure of the Ugly Appearance in either the Land of the Grazing Grounds or the realm of the Wise Lady.
Sources
First Continuation of Chrétien’s Perceval | Attributed to Wauchier of Denain, c. 1200
Perlesvaus | Early 13th century
Vulgate Merlin | 1220-1235
Le Livre d’Artus | Early 13th century