Valle Crucis and the Grail - Book Reviews

A review by Laurence Main, with permission from the Society of Ley Hunters

If you are stuck in England, you may not appreciate that all the attributes of Glastonbury flourish in Wales at Llangollen (one clue is the name of St. Collen). The novelist John Cowper Powys is just one who knew (and wrote about) the magic of both places and compared the home of the International Eisteddfod favourably with the place whose name is given to the rock festival.

Even Castell Dinas Bran is twice the height of Glastonbury Tor. I’ve dreamt at both places and the dreams on Castell Dinas Bran were amazing. I’ve dowsed at Valle Crucis Abbey and at Eliseg’s Pillar and know these places deserve more attention.

Ian Pegler has provided valuable objective reasons why this should be so plus some of his own subjective findings by dowsing. It’s too soon to draw conclusions and the author is commendably restrained when doing so. His book should encourage further research. If you are interested in leys, King Arthur or Wales you’ll want to buy this delightful book.

Laurence Main

A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council

For aficionados of the Holy Grail, Ian Pegler's book is going to be a bonus. So much has been written on this subject over the years that one may be forgiven for thinking, 'Another on Dan Brown's band-wagon?' but absolutely not. However hopefully the recent fictional stories will have awakened curiosity in readers on the subject, who will therefore take an interest in Valle Crucis and the Grail on the bookshop shelf.

Pegler's research links the grail with the area around Llangollen in north Wales, the ancient ruin that stands above the town of Dinas Brân, but more particularly the nearby abbey known as the Vale of the Cross, or Valle Crucis, and it is this myth that the book sets out to give credence to.

Pegler's methods are not always reliant on scientific evidence; as he writes: 'I have visited other abbeys in Wales and for me there is something about the place that I just don't sense at other sites such as Tintern, Talley, Cummer, or abbey Cwm-hir. The other exception for me is Strata-Florida abbey in mid-Wales. All this is, of course, entirely personal and subjective, but is it so ludicrous to suggest that one can somehow sense the history or sanctity of these places?' Pegler describes in some detail the intricacies of 'dowsing' and without doubt this ancient method of discovery has had an impact on his findings.

There is little doubt either that the author has enjoyed his quest, and the reader can decide for himself on the outcome; a most thought-provoking read.

Norma Penfold



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