Dating from the early 13th century, the Vulgate Cycle relates the entire course of Arthurian legend, from the early history of the Grail to Arthur's death. The five component romances, written by an anonymous author or group of authors, are the Estoire del Saint Graal, the Estoire de Merlin, the huge Lancelot propre, the Queste del Saint Graal, and the tragic conclusion, the Mort Artu.

The Post-Vulgate Cycle, also written anonymously, is a modified version of the Vulgate material reconstructed by scholars from surviving fragments translated into Spanish and Portuguese. Instead of focusing on the illicit love of Lancelot and Guenevere, the Post-Vulgate author sets Arthur and the Grail at center stage.

Like the original five-volume set, The Lancelot-Grail Reader is the work of a team of translators including General Editor Norris J. Lacy, Martha Asher, E. Jane Burns, Carleton E. Carroll, Carol J. Chase, William W. Kibler, Roberta L. Krueger, Rupert T. Pickens, and Samuel N. Rosenberg. This volume, edited for students, Arthurian scholars, and enthusiasts, also includes a concise introduction and suggestions for further reading.