Joseph (St.) of Arimathe´a, said to have brought to Glastonbury in a mystic vessel some of the blood which trickled from the wounds of Christ at the Crucifixion, and some of the wine left at the Last Supper. This vessel plays a very prominent part in the Arthurian legends.
Next holy Joseph came....
The Saviour of mankind in sepulchre that laid;
That to the Britons was th’ apostle. In his aid
St. Duvian, and with him St. Fagan, both which were
His scholars.
Drayton, Polyolbion, xxiv. (1622).
⁂ He also brought with him the spear of Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus.—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, i. 40 (1470).
Jos´ephine (3 syl.), wife of Werner, and mother of Ulric. Josephine was the daughter of a decayed Italian exile of noble blood.—Byron, Werner (1822).
Jos´ian, daughter of the king of Armenia, and wife of Sir Bevis, of Southampton. It was Josian who gave the hero his sword, “Morglay” and his steed “Arundel.”—Drayton, Polyolbion, ii. (1612).