Hayling - Secret Island of the Holy Grail?

The quest for the Holy Grail has stirred popular imagination for almost a thousand years, not least in the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The facts behind the myths are no less romantic, but the story is far more complex than knights in shining armour seeking mythic cups. This project, filmed to coincide with the 750th anniversary of the Priory Church of St Mary the Virgin, was undertaken to examine the theory that Hayling Island may well have a part to play in the mystery.  The story is quite astonishing, taking us back to the Holy Land in the 1st century AD, the Roman occupation of Britain, and to some odd goings-on, here on Hayling Island during the nineteenth century. Study of the very close ties with France after the Norman Conquest, and the crusades to recapture Jerusalem, have led us to look closely at how these affected Hayling, its secret history, and it’s potential as the last hiding place for the legendary Grail.  Mix in some exotic images in St Mary’s church, the story of an enigmatic priest in a tiny French village in foothills of the Pyrenees, and a fabulous medieval chapel in Scotland. Add the story of the legendary Knights Templar, plus the workings of a mysterious secret society, and we have a fascinating tale to tell!  Robin Walton 2005