Nacien
Nacien is attested in the Le Morte d'Arthur with 8 citations across 7 chapters of the Grail quest narrative.
Nacien is attested in the Le Morte d'Arthur with 8 citations across 7 chapters of the Grail quest narrative. He appears as a hermit and holy man who serves as a guide and interpreter of visions during the quest for the Sangreal. His role bridges the earthly knighthood and the spiritual dimension of the Grail quest.
Nacien first appears as a messenger, sending word to Arthur that "thee shall befall the greatest worship that ever befell king in Britain" on the day the Sangreal appeared and "fed thee and all thy fellowship of the Round Table" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XIII, Ch. V). His hermitage is described as remote and austere, situated on "a little mountain" so rough "there may no horse go thither" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XVI, Ch. II). When Gawaine and Ector visit, they find "a poor house, and beside the chapel a little courtelage, where Nacien the hermit gathered worts, as he which had tasted none other meat of a great while" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XVI, Ch. III).
Nacien's connection to the Grail's material history is established through the shield of Galahad. He is the appointed custodian: the shield shall be left "thereas Nacien, the hermit, shall be put after his death" until the destined knight comes for it (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XIII, Ch. XI). In the narrative of the sword's marvels, Nacien handles a sacred weapon and is struck on the right foot as he goes "over the board," crying out "O God, how am I hurt" (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XVII, Ch. IV). He then declares: "the thing that I most praised ought I now most to blame" and throws the pieces of his sword over his bed (Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XVII, Ch. IV).
Appears in: Beings, Entities in Le Morte d'Arthur, British Tradition