Sir Gawaine
Gawaine's Birth and First Years
Gawaine's Birth and First Years
Sir Gawaine was the son of King Lot of Orkney and Anna, the daughter of Uther Pendragon. After he was baptised, when he was still a baby, he was set adrift in a casket, or basket, but was eventually rescued by a poor fisherman. Alternatively, Anna, fearing for her bastard son's life, gave him to a merchant to look after him. She also left her signet ring and a letter explaining the real identity of the boy with the foster-father. She named her son Gawaine, and left a chest of gold with the merchant as well, to be given to the boy when he was older. Anna stressed the importance to the merchant of keeping her son's identity and parentage from everyone, including Gawaine himself.The merchant was loyal and would have done everything that the princess had asked of him. However one day, the merchant went to get supply from the city of Narbonne, but he left no one to guard the ship and the baby. A local fisherman named Viamundus found the deserted ship. Viamundus found the small child in the crib, and the treasure in the cabin. Viamundus plundered the ship, taking all the treasure, including the infant. The fisherman brought the child and the treasure to his home. Viamundus gave the infant to his wife to nurse. In the cradle, the fisherman found the letter and the signet. When Viamundus read the letter, he discovered that the infant was a son of the royal princess from Britannia. Viamundus decided to respect the will of the letter, keeping the baby's identity a secret from everyone. The boy became known as the "Boy with No Name" (puer sine nomine). They raised Gawaine as if he was their own son. Seven years later, Viamundus thought it was safe that no one would search for foster son, so he left Narbonne, taking his wife, foster son and the treasure with him to Rome. With the wealth, he pretended to have come from a noble Roman family, with him in the guise of a military leader from Gaul. Viamundus offered his services to the Roman emperor. Viamundus became a great friend of the emperor and the pope. As a favour to Viamundus, the emperor made the former fisherman's son his page.
When Viamundus became seriously ill he decided to reveal his secret to the emperor. Viamundus gave the letter and signet, and told the emperor Gawaine's real name and parentage. The emperor promised Viamundus to train Viamundus's foster son as a knight, and when the time was ripe, he would send Gawaine to his uncle, Arthur, who was now king of Britannia, with the letter and signet to identify Gawaine. When Viamundus died and the emperor had him buried with full honour of a nobleman. Gawaine was twelve at the time of Viamundus' death. The emperor and Pope Sulpicius kept Viamundus' secret from Gawaine. The emperor became the boy's foster father.
When he grew up, he was knighted by Pope Sulpicus and, as the most skilful new knight, young Gawaine also received a golden circlet.The Boy with No Name (Gawaine) became known as the "Knight of the Surcoat" (Miles cum tunica armature), because he was the first to wear crimson tunic over his armour. At the time of his knighthood, there was news of a temporary truce between the Christians and Persia at Jerusalem. As a boon to his young charge (Gawaine), the emperor agreed to send him to fight a duel with the Persian champion, so Gawaine could avenge the honour and faith of Christianity. So Gawaine and a delegate departed from Rome to Jerusalem in 16 ships. However a fierce storm disrupted their journey, where they had to land on an island ruled by Milocrates, the Pirate King. The island was known as the Barbarous Isle. Milocrates had captured the emperor's niece as hostage, and forced her to become his consort.
While Gawaine and a few companions went into the forest to forage for food, they were confronted by Milocrates' 20 hostile knights. Gawaine had killed 13 knights in the fighting. When Milocrates heard the news of intruders on his island, Milocrates organised his forces to drive off or kill the invaders. While at the camp, the centurion sent his kin, Odabel, with Gawaine to scout the land for more enemies. Around this time, Gawaine killed a wild boar with his spear and his sword. The centurion had also captured Milocrates' spies. The centurion only agreed to free the spies if they falsify their report to Milocrates, on the number that had landed on the island. If Milocrates thought there was more enemies than his force, then Milocrates would delay in attacking them. So Milocrates became alarmed at the (false) report of invaders. So he gathered even a large force; sending his a fleet with his brother, Buzafaran (Egesarius), while he commanded the land forces. Meanwhile, Gawaine managed to secretly entered the city and then into the palace. Gawaine was able to listen to Milocrates plan. One of the spies, named Nabaor, that the centurion had captured, recognised Gawaine. Instead of sounding the alarm, Nabaor decided to help Gawaine. The spy took Gawaine to see Milocrates' queen, who was the niece of the Roman emperor. The Queen was also willing to help Gawaine, so she gave Milocrates' sword and armour to the young knight. She informed Gawaine of the prophecy that Milocrates can't be defeated nor lose his kingdom, unless someone else wore his armour. The Queen also told the hero that the populace was willing to uprise against their king, because of his oppressive rule.
In the morning, Milocrates marched out of the city with his army. The Queen had the people gathered secretly to lock the gate of the city and burn down the palace.
Milocrates was shocked to see his city burning. What shocked the Pirate King even more, was he saw a young knight wearing his own armour. Milocrates didn't know whether to attack the force that had confronted him, or to save his city. His indecision and panic had costed him dearly, because his entire army decided to scatter and flee. Seeing that he had lost his kingdom, Milocrates attacked Gawaine. The contest was evenly matched at first, until the hero swept the King's head with the sword. The enemy army surrendered to the Romans when they saw that their king was dead. The Queen and populace welcomed the Roman liberators, but the Romans didn't spare any of Milocrates' advisers. Gawaine and the Romans stayed for 15 days on the island, before they departed. They had managed to recruit 200 warriors before they left, as well as some extra ships. When their ships encountered the fleet of Egesarius, Milocrates' brother, the two sides attacked. Though the Roman was winning the naval battle, an enemy ship threw Greek fire aboard their ship. To rescue his men from the burning ship, Gawaine leaped aboard the enemy ship, either killing the pirates or throwing them overboard. At the end of the fighting, the Romans had captured 30 pirate ships. The Romans arrived in Jerusalem at the appointed time. Both armies agreed that the champions of each side would fight a mortal combat to decide the victory of either side. Gawaine's opponent was Gormundus, the giant Persian knight.
Both warriors fought for the whole day. They were seemed to be evenly matched, and only halted when night fell. They agreed to resume the duel on the following morning.
They fought hard the next day. Both knights were furious each one had wounded the other. Gormundus received a broken jaw, while the Knight of the Surcoat had a cut on his forehead. The Persian knight delivered a mighty blow with his shield that break Gawaine's sword. Gawaine had only saved, when he managed to hold Gormundus at bay with his tattered shield until night fell, ending the duel without a victor. On the third day, the two knights met again. However Gormundus grew more tired the younger knight, giving ground to the Knight of the Surcoat. Only shame and the jeering from his own side, did the Persian warrior redoubled his effort. Gormundus delivered a vicious overhead blow that cleaved the shield right to Gawaine's arm. The force drove the hero to his knees. Through the anger and shame of coming to his knees, Knight of the Surcoat leaped back to his feet and delivered a mighty blow that cleaved the helmet and Gormundus' head, right down to the breastbone. The Persians were distraught to see that their champion had fallen, withdrew from Jerusalem and returned to their homeland. Gawaine won fame and glory throughout the Roman Empire.
Victory over the Persians had brought peace to the Roman Empire, but the Knight of the Surcoat grew restless with inactivity, decided to travel to Britannia in search for new adventures. Though, the emperor was reluctant to have his foster son depart, he remembered his promise to his friend Viamundus. The emperor only agreed to his foster son departure, if Gawaine would present to King Arthur (who was really Gawaine's uncle) with a gold coffer that contain Anna's document and other items to identify Gawaine's name. The Emperor told Gawaine that he should not look at the contents inside the coffer. The Emperor also included his own testimony about Gawaine's identity. Gawaine arrived in Britain and was approaching the castle of Caerleon in Demetia (Wales), but could cross the river Usk due to the flooding of the ford. At that very night, Arthur and Guinevere, who was his wife and queen, were talking in bed. Guinevere was not just a queen; she was, as some texts say, a powerful sorceress with the gift of foretelling. The queen mocked her husband's strength and prowess. Guinevere informed Arthur that a knight from Rome, who was greater than any other knight had arrived at the town of Usk, about six miles away from Caerleon. To prove her prediction, she told her husband that the knight would send her a gold ring and 3000 pieces of gold on two horses in the morning.
Arthur knew of his wife's divination, but decided to find out if it was true. As Guinevere slept, the king armed himself and mounted his horse, taking only Sir Kay, his seneschal, with him in this venture. Arthur encountered the Knight of the Surcoat at the ford, where he recklessly challenged the stranger. Arthur charged at the lone knight, who waited with his lance ready. Arthur was unceremoniously knocked off his saddle into the water. Sir Kay decided to avenge the king, so he too attacked the Knight of the Surcoat and was unhorsed into the river. The king and his seneschal had lost their horses in the encounter so they had to walk back to the castle on foot and in shame. Arthur returned to his bed, still drenched from the river. Guinevere asked where he had being, and Arthur lied that he had gone out to stop fighting between two men in the castle in the rain. Gawaine found the most shallow ford and crossed the river. The Knight of the Surcoat did not realise that he had fought the king and his own uncle at the ford. In the morning, while Arthur still slept, Guinevere sent a messenger out of the castle, towards the town of Usk, where the boy encountered the Knight of the Surcoat. The knight asked the boy to bear the gifts to the Queen.
When Guinevere recognised the two horses and the horse trappings belonging to her husband and the seneschal, she understood what had occurred last night when her husband had come to bed drenched. With great amusement, she sent the horses into her bedchamber, where Arthur still slept.
Arthur woke to find his and Kay's horse in the bedroom. The King felt shame when he realised that Guinevere knew the truth. Guinevere showed the proof that the mysterious knight had sent to her: two horses, a gold ring and 3000 pieces of gold coins. By noon, the Knight of the Surcoat arrived at Arthur's court in Caerleon. The hero introduced himself to the king and the entire court, telling them that he had come from the Roman imperial court, offering his services in arms and become the king's companion (and knight of the Round Table). The hero also gave Arthur, the sealed message and the coffer from the Roman Emperor. Arthur retired to the adjoining chamber to read the Emperor's personal message. What content he had found in the document left Arthur astonished. Within the coffer, he found the pallium and signet ring that belonged to his sister Anna, as the letter, in his sister's handwriting that prove the identity of her son. Arthur immediately sent for Anna and her husband Lot, and showed them the contents of documents and the coffer, demanding the explanation from his sister and brother-in-law. Anna revealed to her brother the truth she was indeed pregnant and gave birth to her son, before she was married to Lot. Both parents and Arthur were overcome with great joy. However, Arthur wanted them to keep this secret from Gawaine, until the Roman knight proved his worth to become knight of the Round Table.
Arthur returned the court and rudely told the young knight that he already has many knights of great prowess. So unless the Knight of the Surcoat can prove his prowess, the king suggested that he find services from some other lords. The hero felt slighted by Arthur's words, yet he felt the need to prove himself. So the hero declared that he would do something that Arthur's knights were capable of accomplishing. Six days had passed when news that the Castle of the Maidens was besieged by pagan king. The castle belonged to a fair, young woman, who governed the northern part of Britannia, but as ally of Arthur. The pagan king had fallen in love with this lady, but she refused his advances. The pagan king was enraged because of the rejection, so he occupied the land around the castle. Arthur immediately mustered his army and gathered his knights of the Round Table, before heading north. Before they reached the castle, another messenger arrived to tell the king that the castle had fallen, and the pagan king had taken the Lady as his prisoner. The pagan king was now heading back to his own realm. Arthur immediately set out in pursuit, in the hope of rescuing the Lady. Arthur's rescue plan fell apart when his army encountered unexpected, strong resistance from the rearguard. The pagan king was expecting pursuit and had placed his more experienced knights with the rearguard battalion. The sudden attack by the rearguard had thrown Arthur's army into confusion. The pagan king's forces were able to repulse the British army, causing Arthur to shamefully retreat.
The Knight of the Surcoat had followed the army and watched the battle on the hill. When he saw Arthur and his knights being repulsed and retreating from the more superior pagan army, the hero jeered at them for such cowardly actions. After taunting Arthur and his knights, the hero set out alone to rescue the Lady. The pagan army didn't expect an attack from a lone knight, so when it did happen, it threw them into confusion. When the hero saw the pagan king and the captive, the Knight of the Surcoat charged with his lance ready. The point smashed through the king's armour and penetrated the pagan king's chest. The pagan king fell dying to the ground; the hero then seized the rein of the young woman's horse, trying to lead her out the enemy army. However, angry royal guards surrounded them and they sought to avenge the death of their king. The Knight of the Surcoat managed to cut his way through the enemy ranks, but the hero and Lady could not escape through the way he had come from, so the hero set out in a different direction, with the enemies in hot pursuit. As they were fleeing, the hero saw an abandoned fortification with a fosse around it, so he led the maiden to fort. He told the Lady to find a place to hide, while he will defend this place. Fortunately, the bridge to fort was narrow enough that only one enemy can come on him, one at a time. While a broad and deep fosse (moat) surrounded the fort, so no one could surround him.
With his sword and shield ready, the Knight of the Surcoat attacked the pursuing enemies. On the bridge, no one could overcome him, as he killed and wounded many knights. Some fled, while tried to escape from the hero's vicious sword by jumping off the narrow bridge. The Knight of the Surcoat had single-handedly defeated the pagan king's army. He returned to where the king had fallen, and cut off the king's head. The knight placed the king's head on top end of the standard, while the head was still wearing its diadem. With the Lady at his side, the Knight of the Surcoat returned to King Arthur's court in Caerleon. Here, the hero proudly proclaimed that he had killed the king and destroyed the enemy army alone. He had accomplished what no other knights in Arthur's court had done. Rather than being offended by the hero's words, Arthur was overjoyed and told the young knight that he had earned the highest honour. Arthur asked the young hero his name and lineage. The hero reply that he was Knight of the Surcoat and that he was born in Gaul to Roman senator, because he seriously thought that Viamundus was his father. With Anna and Lot standing near their son, Arthur had the letter of the Roman Emperor read where every one could hear. It revealed that King Lot of Norway and his wife Anna was the hero's real parents, and his real name was Gawaine. Every one including Gawaine were utterly amazed at this revelation. Gawaine's parents joyfully welcomed home their lost son. Arthur was also happy, and joyously announced that Gawaine was his nephew. With this announcement, the entire assemblage shouted out: "Gawaine, nephew of King Arthur!"
Yvain, Morgan Le Fay's son, in this case, had been banished from court because of his mother's attempts to kill Arthur. The hero Gawaine, however, was Yvain's cousin, so if Yvain had to live in exile, then so would he. So in the morning, Gawaine left Arthur's court with Yvain. So began the adventure of the three knights and the Three Damsels of the Fountain.
The two young knights travelled through a forest where they encountered twelve damsels in the valley with turret. The damsels spat and threw mire at the white shield that hung underneath a tree. The damsels claimed that the shield belong to a knight who hated all women. The shield belonged to the great Irish knight, named Morholt (Marhaus), the son of the King of Ireland. However, the two cousins recognised the name, so that they seriously doubted the damsels' accusation against Morholt. When Morholt arrived to collect his shield, the damsels fled in fear, while two knights from the tower challenged Morholt. Morholt killed both knights. Despite his reputation, Gawaine insisted in challenging the Irish knight. Morholt unhorsed Yvain, who retired hurt. Gawaine was also unhorsed, but regained his feet. The two knights fought with swords and shields. At first, Gawaine proved to be the stronger knight as the sun rose higher at each hour. As the sun pass its zenith and slowly drew nearer to evening, Gawaine's strength decreased as each hour past, so Gawaine was weak as an ordinary man. Instead of killing Gawaine, Morholt ended the battle, since it was too easy to overpower the younger knight. Gawaine gracefully accepted defeat. The three knights became friends. Morholt invited the two younger knights to lodge with him. He explained to Gawaine and Yvain that those damsels of the turret were actually sorceresses, who wanted to trap unwary knights. They stayed at Morholt's lodge for a whole week so they could all recover from the fighting.
Then Morholt told them that he would guide the other two knights where they could have adventures. They rode for seven days, until they reached the forest of Arroy. In this forest, they encountered three damsels sitting nearby a fountain. The eldest damsel wore a garland of gold on her head, and she was 60 years old. The second damsel had a circlet of gold, and she was 30 years of age. The youngest damsel had only seen 15 winters, and she had only a garland of flowers on her head. The 3 damsels informed the 3 knights that they would each be a companion and a guide to each knight-errant, leading him in an adventure, then after a year and one day, they would meet back at the fountain, to recount their adventures. So each knight must choose one of them to be his companion. Yvain told his friends that he was weakest and youngest of the three, so he would choose the eldest damsel to be his companion, for he knew he would need the woman with most experience to advise him what to do. Morholt took the second damsel, leaving Gawaine with the youngest damsel. Gawaine was delighted, because he has the fairest damsel as his companion. The damsels guided the knights along the road until they came across an intersection that lead to three different directions. Here the three friends parted company, each following his partner.
The next day, Gawaine came across a mounted knight fighting against ten other knights. This knight unhorsed each of the ten knights using his single lance, but Gawaine was amazed when the knight allowed his opponents to capture him, without resistance. The knight even allowed himself to be tied under his horse's belly. The damsel asked Gawaine to aid the knight, which he refused to do so. The young damsel could see that Gawaine was not adventurous enough to rescue the helpless knight. Then they met a knight and dwarf striving for a lady, but the lady rode away with the dwarf, causing distress to the knight. It was then that more knights appeared, challenging Gawaine. Both Gawaine and one of the two knights unhorsed one another. So they attacked each other with swords. As they fought, the other knight rode up to the damsel (Gawaine's companion) and asked her to ride away with him, offering his love and loyalty to her. She agreed because she thought Gawaine was a coward for not rescuing the captured knight they saw earlier. So the young damsel rode away, abandoning Gawaine. They fought until they both agreed to a draw, and this knight, who was named Sir Carados, offered Gawaine lodging. That night, Gawaine asked his host if he knew who was the knight who had unhorsed ten other knights, but allowed him to be bind and led away without resistance. His host told him that this great knight was Sir Pelleas, and the ten knights belonged to the fair Lady Ettard. Despite being one of the best knights at that time and winning a tournament in which he defeated 20 knights to win a circlet for the lady, Ettard refused to return his love for her. Though Pelleas was depressed because Ettard wouldn't love him, he couldn't resist seeing her whenever he can, even if it meant that he was her prisoner. But as her captive, Ettard scornfully despised him even more. Hearing this event, Gawaine decided that in the morning he would find and help Pelleas win Ettard.
So that day, Gawaine departed from Carados' home, in search of Pelleas. Gawaine found the mournful Pelleas and after telling Gawaine about his longing for Ettard, Gawaine told him that he would help him win Ettard's love. In order to do this, Gawaine asked Pelleas to change armour and shield with him. Gawaine instructed to come to Ettard's land in three days from now. So Gawaine rode towards Ettard's castle, riding Pelleas' horse as well as wearing Pelleas' armour and helmet. When Ettard saw the knight approaching, she fled the castle. It was only when Gawaine spoke out that he was not Pelleas and he had removed his helmet to reveal his visage, which Ettard realised that he spoke the truth and welcomed him into her castle. Gawaine told a lie to the lady: that he had slew Sir Pelleas, which was why he was wearing Pelleas' armour and riding his horse. Though, Ettard pitied Pelleas' death, she had never loved Pelleas. Ettard would willingly give her love to Gawaine, since he was a nephew of Arthur. So they left the castle and spent three nights in one of Ettard's pavilions. On the third day, Pelleas left for Ettard's land as he was instructed. Pelleas was greatly distressed and outraged that Gawaine was sleeping with the lady that he loved. Pelleas wanted to kill Gawaine and Ettard, but he could not bring himself murder them in their sleep. So he lay his unsheathed sword on their necks, and left the pavilion in sorrow. Pelleas returned to his home, and lay in his bed, waiting for his death. When Gawaine and Ettard woke from their sleep and found Pelleas' sword on their neck, the lady realised that Gawaine had lied to her and betrayed Pelleas, so she sent the treacherous Gawaine away.
In the forest, Niniane (Nimue), the Lady of the Lake, met one of Sir Pelleas' distressed knights, who informed her of what had happened. Niniane decided to help Pelleas. When she went and saw Pelleas, the Lady of the Lake fell in love with the mournful knight. She was determined to help give Pelleas' vengeance upon Lady Ettard. She cast a spell upon Pelleas so the he would fall into a slumber. Then Niniane brought Ettard to Pelleas' home, and they both looked upon the knight lying upon his bed. Niniane cast an enchantment upon the other woman, so that Ettard would fall in love with the knight that she had spurned. Now it was Ettard who loved and longed for Pelleas, but when Pelleas woke from his slumber, he no longer loved this lady, who had despised and shamed him for years. Pelleas now hated and loathed Ettard, and told the traitress lady to never come within his sight. Now it was Ettard who felt sorrow and distress for losing the man she now loved. Niniane asked Pelleas to leave this land, and become her husband and consort. So they left for magical domain, and married, while Ettard died from sorrow and longing for Pelleas. In a way, Gawaine had kept his promise to Pelleas in most uncourtly way. In the end, Ettard did love Pellas, but he was no longer in love with her. This showed Gawaine in a rather poor light.
The three knights returned to the fountain where they first met the three damsels, after they had all had their adventures (see Morholt and Yvain for the other knights' stories). As they recounted their adventures, the two elder damsels praised Yvain and Morholt. Gawaine, however, received no praise or honour from the youngest damsel. After this, they left the damsels and were journeying through the forest, when they met a messenger from King Arthur's court. Arthur had regretted banishing his nephew Yvain, and had sent his people to find Gawaine and Yvain throughout Britain in the twelve months since. Both Gawaine and Yvain were overjoyed at the reconciliation with the king, and invited Morholt to come to Camelot with them. So the three knights arrived in Camelot, where Arthur, knights and ladies welcomed them. They told the king of their adventures during their absence from court. At the feast of Pentecost, Niniane arrived with her husband Sir Pelleas. At that time, Pelleas proved to be the strongest knight, with Morholt being the second best. When Pelleas and Morholt attended the next feast, two seats at the Round Table became vacated when two knights were slain. However, Sir Pelleas had only enmity and animosity for Gawaine, but he never harmed Gawaine because of his loyalty to Arthur.
The story opens with Gawaine leaving his uncle's castle in Cardueil, with only sword, lance and shield, and travelling through the woods, expecting to find entertainment. Gawaine became lost in the forest, because he was absorbed in his thought. When he woke from his reverie, he noticed that the light was fading. Gawaine also noticed a campfire burning in a clearing, near the road, so he rode the campsite. Here, he exchanged greetings with another knight, who offered him the hospitality of his castle, tomorrow. Gawaine, unsuspecting of any treachery from the knight, accepted. They slept near the fire, and in the morning they set out for the stranger's castle. As they were approaching the castle, the knight rode ahead to prepare his castle for guest, while Gawaine followed at a more leisurely pace. Before reaching the castle, he met a group of four shepherds on the path to the castle. These shepherds warned Gawaine of the treacherous knight that he was following. All knights who stayed at this castle could never leave the cursed place. Most likely they were all killed, but the shepherds didn't know how. Despite their warnings, Gawaine decided to go, because he thought that shepherds were only spreading child's tale to frightened travellers. At the splendid castle, fit for a king or a prince, the knight he met, his host warmly welcomed him. With him, was the host's lovely daughter, whom Gawaine desired. The young lady admired her father's handsome and courteous guest, but she was concerned that Gawaine was going to be another victim of his father's ploy. Just before dinner, the lord went out for a moment with an errand to do, expecting his daughter to entertain their guest. The young lady with the clear complexion, hurriedly warned Gawaine to not contradict her father or else he would be killed, but he also must not act basely towards her.
After the meal, the treacherous lord smilingly said that he (Gawaine) and her daughter would be a perfect match, because his guest was handsome with fine manner and good breeding, could not possibly find a better sweetheart than his daughter. The host insistently that Gawaine should have the best room in his castle, and that her daughter would share the large bed with him. The host also insisted that the candles in the chamber must remain lighted, so his guest could see his daughter's beauty. The bedroom was large and beautiful, particularly the fine luxury bed. On one of the walls was a beautiful sheathed sword, its blade made from the finest steel. The hilt and pommel was made of gold. Gawaine was very happy that he would be spending the night with his host's beautiful daughter. She came and lay in the bed with the hero, naked. They lay there for a couple of hours in bed in each other's arms, kissing. When Gawaine was aroused and wanted to make love to her, she warned him not to do more than embrace and kiss her, if he wanted to survive this night. She told him that the sword was her magical protector, and it had killed as many twenty knights in this very room. The sword would kill any one who attempts to make love to her. But the hero didn't listen, nor did he believe her. This was the sort of position that his host wanted his guest to be in, where he would be killed. Her father loved setting a trap to all of her daughter's would-be lovers. But before Gawaine could do more than make love to her, the sword flew from its sheath as if someone drew it, and struck Gawaine's side. Then the sword flew back into its sheath. Gawaine was stunned by the attack, but the blow was a glancing blow. It had taken some of his skin, making him bleed a bit, but it was no more than a bad scratch.
The lady had never warned any knight before, but she was equally stunned that the sword had not kill Gawaine from the first blow. Gawaine lost his desire suddenly to make love to her. Gawaine was disappointed that he could not take make this lady his sweetheart. As he lay there, brooding, staring at the young lady in the candlelight, her beauty once again captivated him and aroused his desire. When Gawaine moved himself closer to the young lady, the sword flew from the scabbard again, and struck him the second time. This time he received a slight wound to his shoulder, slicing a couple of inches of his skin, before returning to the scabbard. This was very disconcerting to Gawaine. Gawaine made no more move towards the young lady, but neither guest nor hostess could sleep. In the morning, the girl's father woke early, eager to see the body of his latest victim. He went into his guest chamber, and was very astonished to see that his guest was very much alive. Though, Gawaine appeared unharmed, the lord could see that the linen was torn and there were bloodstains on the bed cover. The magic sword had always killed any man who shared his daughter's bed, so the lord was surprised to see for the first time that his guest had survived. When the host found out his guest was none other than Gawaine, nephew of King Arthur, he knew that the sword would not kill the best knight in the world, and that knight was Gawaine. The host knew that the custom have ended, he had found a worthy bridegroom for his daughter. On that very day, the host had Gawaine and his daughter married. The father would have given his castle and wealth to Gawaine, but the knight refused to take any more from his father-in-law.
On their wedding night, Gawaine was able to make love to his new bride, without the fear of being attack by the sword. Gawaine and his wife spend three years living happily in the castle, but Gawaine now decided that it was time to return to his country, so he informed Arthur that he was still alive. His father-in-law granted him permission. The next day, Gawaine set out for Cardueil, with his wife riding on a palfrey, while he rode his horse, Gringalet. He had belted his sword, and carried his lance and shield. He wore no helmet or armour, since he brought none when he left Cardueil. Just outside the gate, his wife remembered that she had left behind her two greyhounds at her father's castle and asked Gawaine to fetch them. So Gawaine returned with the greyhounds and continued on their journey. Not long after they entered the forest, they encountered a fully armoured knight. When Gawaine warmly greeted the knight, this villain took the rein of his wife's horse, riding off with Gawaine's wife. Gawaine pursued the knight, despite being not fully equipped as his rival. Gawaine challenged the other knight, but asked the other knight to wait until he could receive helmet and armour, so they could fight for Gawaine's lady, but the knight refused. Instead this knight suggested that they would allow the young lady to choose whom she would go with. Gawaine was confident that his wife would choose him, but he did not reckon with her treachery. She wanted to test Gawaine's valiant and prowess, so she chose Gawaine's rival. Gawaine was outraged with her treachery, angrily rode off with the greyhounds following him, while the knight rode off with Gawaine's wife.
The young lady however refused to ride further, because she wanted her greyhounds. She would not have this knight as her lover, unless she had her greyhounds. So the knight went after Gawaine. Gawaine refused to hand over the hounds, but agreed to let the hounds decide to whom they wished to follow. The other knight agreed. Both knights called the hounds to them, and the hounds faithfully went to Gawaine, because the hounds recognised him as their master, after living three years in the castle. The lady now refused to follow the knight, unless she has her greyhounds, so the knight decided to attack Gawaine. The treacherous knight was confident of winning the hounds, since he was fully armoured. Gawaine had no armour and helmet, and has only the shield as his protection. Gawaine was angry to take revenge upon this knight, who taken away his wife would like nothing better than fight this unfair contest. They charged at each other. Though the treacherous knight's aim was true, the lance hit Gawaine's shield first, and shattered. Gawaine's lance didn't break; and it hit full on the other's shield. Both knight and horse were knocked off the road, landing in a pool of mud. Gawaine dismounted from Gringalet, drew his sword. Before the knight could get up. Gawaine stunned the other knight with blows to his head. He then maimed him, driving his sword deep into his enemy's side.
Gawaine didn't bother accepting the knight's surrender and making him a prisoner. The hero had only wanted vengeance. Gawaine then mounted Gringalet, readying to ride off with greyhounds. The lady, realising that Gawaine was leaving her, pleaded with him not to leave her behind. She had excused herself, saying that she had only went with the other knight because Gawaine was not fully equipped like the other knight, and therefore feared for his life. Gawaine didn't believe a word from her, and knew it was not to save his honour and life. He could not forgive her for her betrayal and choosing a complete stranger over him, so he abandoned her in the woods. Gawaine never saw her again.
Gawaine was heading towards a tournament with his companions, but got separated when he let his preoccupation divert him from his path. While his companions galloped towards the tournament, Gawaine's horse ambled aimlessly. Gawaine was only woken from his reverie when he heard the sound of fighting. He wanted to rush to the combat, but only found a grieving damsel mounted on horse, with a dead knight behind her on the saddle. She told Gawaine that Percivale had failed to ask the question about the spear and the Grail. Had Percivale done so, the curse would have lifted and the suffering of many people would have come to an end. Gawaine left the damsel with the dead knight and headed in another direction. It wasn't long before he heard another battle taking place in a great distance. Gawaine raced off to see the battle. What he saw caused great astonishment from him. He saw a company of knights in white armour battling two unseen foes. A broadsword and lance was wielded from invisible hands above two horses, slaughtering the white knights. All of the white knights were killed. Gawaine tried to followed these two invisible riders, following the tracks of the horses, and in his journey, he witness some more strange sights. He saw a beautiful nude maiden fending off large birds that tried to strip away the flesh off an ugly giant. Her attempt was futile, because the bird tore the giant to pieces, devouring its flesh and entrails. The damsel was unharmed. Gawaine wanted to understand what he had seen, but he didn't want lose his trail of the two invisible attackers. He also a an old woman, who was mounted on a green beast with three horns on its head, beating a naked black Moor. Though, he pitied the Moor, he did not come to his aid, because he didn't want to confront the old woman.
At a forest, he came upon a horse tied to tree, with a shield leaning against the tree, and an unsheathed sword and fine hauberk lying on the ground, beside the shield. There was also a blue banner planted nearby, with a severed head on top. At first he two female voices, weeping and lamenting, but saw no one. A third voice then joined the other two. Gawaine did not stay, but hurried on. Gawaine then come across, a magnificent castle with transparent, crystal walls. He heard maidens celebrating in merriment, but their joys ended with arrival of giant, black peasant, who wielded a gigantic steel club. The peasant struck the wall with his club, where the wall exploded into flame. With his club, the giant pushed the maiden into the flame, burning them all to death. At night, Gawaine was strangely feeling refreshed, because he could smell a sweet aroma that permeated the night air. So Gawaine continued to ride throughout the night. Then in the morning, he saw a beautifully dressed lad bound to the bed. He was blinded because two arrows were transfixed to his eyes. He waved about a fan at the dead lady lying on the bed. Sitting on the bed was a dwarf with a crown, and lying beside the woman, was a dead knight with a broken lance through his heart. Then Gawaine came upon a river, but couldn't find neither bridge nor ford to cross. So he decided to wade across. Gawaine dismounted and led his horse into water, but immediately found himself in trouble, because he had stepped onto a quagmire, and was slowly sinking to his death.
Fortunately, a lady came to his rescue, so the knight agreed to any boon the lady wished. She threw a small vial into the river, which caused the water to solidified, enough for Gawaine to climb out of the quagmire on to solid water. Gawaine, with the help of the lady, dragged the horse out of the quagmire, then crossed safely to the other side of the river. Only then did the water turned to liquid, and began flowing like a normal river. On the bank of the river, he saw the sand was bloody, and had a spear planted in it through a surcoat. The surcoat has a message that he was killed by this lance. Anyone that pulled out the lance would have to avenge him. The lady, named Gener of Kartis, stopped Gawaine from drawing out the surcoat, because the dead knight (Rahin de Gart) had murdered her brother (Humildis) and stole his land. The boon she asked for, therefore, was to leave the lance where it is, so the dead knight remained unavenged. Gawaine accepted the boon. Finally, he came upon a castle, where he was warmly greeted by an old, crippled lord. Gawaine went to a chapel to say his prayer, when suddenly day turned into night, and he was left alone in the dark. Gawaine prayed for God to protect him, and immediately all the candles were lighted. He saw a pair of gloved hands bearing a heavy spear, where blood were streaming from the spearhead. Suddenly, he heard a thunderbolt, which the walls in the chapel to shake so hard that candles fell to the floor, extinguishing the flame. In the darkness, Gawaine heard a terrible and painful wail that left him senseless.
When he regained consciousness in the morning, he heard chanting but saw no priest. Gawaine left the chapel bewildered and returned the hall where he met old king. This time, he was greeted by knights, where he shared the meal with them, with him seated beside the old lord. That night, he saw four noble maiden, each bearing candles on golden candlesticks. Each were more beautiful than any other women he had seen. A fifth woman entered the hall, carrying a crystal vessel filled with blood in one hand, while she held a tube (a straw) with another. They all walked towards the old man on the bed, and kneeled before the king. The fifth maiden handed the tube to the king, who drank the blood from the crystal vessel. Despite drinking the blood, the vessel remained full. Once he finished drinking, the five maiden left the hall, where they had come from. Gawaine desperately wanted to ask question of what he had witnessed, but remained silence, because he thought it would be rude to question anyone while they ate. Gawaine decided to wait. But knights immediately left after the meal; everyone left the hall, leaving Gawaine alone. So Gawaine waited and waited for someone to return, so he could satisfy his curiosity, but no one returned. Finally Gawaine took a single candle and relighted the four candles that the four maidens had brought in. He was shocked to see the old king lying on the bed was dead. Seeing that the whole castle was seemingly deserted, he went to the stable, where he slept near his horse. In the morning, he was surprised to find himself in a meadow, the entire castle was nowhere to be seen. He found that his horse was nearby, as well as his armour, weapon and other gears. Gawaine put his armour on, saddled his horse, then left.
Gawaine encountered a knight named Quoikos, who was heading towards the tournament at Saorgarda Castle, where the best knight in tournament would win Lady Flursensephen, daughter of Count Leigamar. Lord Flursensephen got into an argument with his younger sister, Quebeleplus, over the two newcomers. Flursensephen derisively claimed Gawaine and his companion were merchants, impersonating as knights to avoid customs. Quebeleplus recognised Gawaine to be a great knight, even though no one knew of Gawaine's true identity, and thought that he was better knight than Fiers of Arramis, the man whom Lady Flursensephen was in love with. When Lord Flursensephen struck his little sister, Quebeleplus went to Gawaine to fight for her, and avenge her by defeating Fiers. Gawaine agreed. When the tournament started, Gawaine fought on Quebeleplus' behalf, unhorsing and capturing many knights, including Fiers and Quebeleplus' father, Leigamar. Lady Flursensephen fainted when Fiers was defeated. Gawaine refused to marry Lady Flursensephen after the tournament, giving her to Quoikos.
In Gawaine's next adventure, he was guest to the Lady of Karamphi Castle. Her brother, Angaras, recognising Gawaine, attacked him at the castle with his men. Gawaine defended himself with the chessboard, until Angaras' father ended the battle, making Gawaine promise either to find the Grail in one year, or to fight a duel with Angaras. Gawaine agreed. On his journeying, Gawaine helped a wounded knight and a damsel but was betrayed. The wounded knight stole his horse, and he was left with a nag. He won back his horse when he unhorsed the wounded knight's ally. He accepted hospitality from a ferryman, named Karadas. Across the river he saw a castle filled with maidens, which was why it was known as the Castle of Maidens, built by the sorcerer Gansguoter, and found out that his own grandmother, mother and sister (Igraine, Morgawse and Clarissant) were living in this castle. Karadas failed to dissuade Gawaine from entering the Castle of Maidens, because those who entered the castle, never returned alive. At the Castle of Maidens was a marvellous bed. But the bed was a trap, which many a knight had foolishly tried to sleep on. Only a knight who never performed a shameful act, could break the custom and curse of the castle. As Gawaine sat on the bed, the bells rang, causing all the windows and doors to closed and 500 crossbow bolts were fired at Gawaine. God or Lady Luck protected Gawaine, for he had escaped without a scratch. Gawaine promptly fell asleep.
Karadas and the maidens in the castle wept and lamented when they heard the bells and missiles discharged, because they thought the knight was dead. When four maidens and four squires went to the chamber to remove the dead body on the bed, and bury the unfortunate victim. But to their surprise, they saw that he was alive and unharmed. They reported back to Igraine, and told the three queens of the miracle they had witnessed. Igraine went into the deadly bedchamber with her daughter and granddaughter, and they realised that the curse and custom was almost at its end. They rejoiced that the stranger was alive (no one recognised Gawaine). Karadas also arrived and was very happy that his guest had survived. Gawaine woke from the ladies and maidens' cries of despair then of joy. Gawaine leaped to his feet, not realising that he was naked. Igraine covered him with the blanket. Karadas informed that he had survived the trap of the bed, but now he must face a lion. The ferryman quickly armed Gawaine. Once armed, one of the doors opened, and the lion immediately leaped and attacked Gawaine. Gawaine quickly dispatched the lion, cutting off the lion's head. The two front paws were also severed, but they remained stuck on his shield. Once again the queens, maidens and the ferryman rejoiced at Gawaine's prowess and survival. Igraine announced that Gawaine was their new lord, ruling the castle and the surrounding land. She also proclaimed that the knight could either marry her daughter or granddaughter, not realising that the hero was her own grandson. Nor did Gawaine wished to disclosed his identity to them. Gawaine asked of her that she would not reveal his name until twelve days from then.
Gawaine then encountered a knight and lord, named Giremelanz, who was a neighbour to the Castle of Maidens. Giremelanz was in love with Clarissant, but hated her brother, Gawaine. Gawaine agreed to send a ring from Giremelanz to his sister, but when he revealed his name, Giremelanz challenged him to a duel. Gawaine agreed to the duel in twelve days. But the duel never took place when Arthur arrived. Gawaine revealed his identity to Igraine, his mother and sister, and they were happily reunited with Arthur. Giremelanz ended his hostility to Gawaine when he was married off to Clarissant.
At first, Gawaine travelled with his companions - Kay, Launcelot and Calogrenant, but when the road had divided, each companion took a different route from his friends. Travelling alone, Gawaine travelled until he experienced a number of strange phenomena. Fire sprung out of the ground that forced him to move in one direction. The fire herded Gawaine towards a new country before the flame vanished. In this country he saw a splendid castle. Gawaine came upon a castle that was populated with beautiful ladies and maidens. Among the group of women was the goddess, who greeted the hero warmly. She provided him with hospitality and information about his forthcoming journey. She told the hero if he was to meet her again with her five companions, Gawaine must ask the question of if he should see the Grail. She warned him not to take any drink in this castle or else he would fall into drugged sleep. Gawaine must remain awake to ask the question. Gawaine then left the castle, and headed in the direction the goddess had given him. In that journey, he encountered several strange events and creature.
One day he came upon another great castle, which he saw a troop of warriors ride in. Gawaine followed the warriors and entered the castle. What he found was that castle was deserted. He could not find a single living person, no matter where he looked. Even the warriors had vanished. Strangely enough, he found a great bed and hall filled with splendid food and drinks. Gawaine ate the evening meal and stayed for the night. In the morning, he woke and found the castle was still empty of people, yet fresh food was placed on the table in the hall. So Gawaine broke fast, before he set out of castle. The moment he left the castle, the drawbridge raised and he heard a maiden telling him that he should trust his lady who gave him hospitality. But when Gawaine looked he saw no maiden on the battlement. For a month, he suffered from great hardship because there were no shelter on the road he travelled and very little food were to be found in the wilderness. Then suddenly he found himself in a new country, where there were plenty of foods growing from the trees that he was able to recover from his hunger. It wasn't long before he was reunited with two of his companions, Launcelot and Calogrenant. Kay was held in prison for trying to damage a statue. They decided to travel together towards the castle they could see. They met by a squire, who invited the tired knights to his castle, on behalf of his lord.
In this castle, they were warmly greeted by the lord. Gawaine spent quite some time talking with the old lord before the evening meal was served. Neither lord nor Gawaine ate or drank the delicious meal. Gawaine had recalled the goddess' warning about the drink. Gawaine had warned his companions earlier, but his advice was ignored. After the meal, Launcelot and Calogrenant fell promptly to sleep. Gawaine declined both food and drink, so he remained awake. Suddenly, Gawaine saw a long procession of stewards, who served in the hall. Then two highborn maidens entered the hall, both bearing two-bejewelled candlesticks. Then he saw two squires following the damsels, bearing a magnificent spear. Following the squires were another two noble maidens carrying a large gold bowl. Then Gawaine saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, walked into the hall. She was splendidly dressed and wore a gold crown on her head. She carried in her hand a reliquary. Another maiden appeared, following the woman with crown, weeping. The lord and the other people bowed to the woman. Gawaine recognised the woman with the crown, as the goddess he had met over a month ago. Gawaine also recognised the other five noble maidens. Then maidens placed the golden bowl on the table, while the squires leaned the spear against the table, with the spearhead placed just above the bowl. Then Gawaine witnessed an occurrence that he thought was not possible: three drop of blood fell from the spear, into the bowl. When this happened, the goddess placed the reliquary down. Within the reliquary was a single loaf of bread. The old lord broke part of the bread and ate it. Gawaine couldn't contain his silence any longer, and asked the lord to explain the miracle that he had witness. Everyone in the hall, whether they were knights or ladies, loudly rejoiced of their deliverance. The old lord answered, but only explaining the curse that had bound him, but said nothing of the secret of the Grail itself.
Percivale himself, had left the castle in shame, because he had not asked the question that he had witnessed. Had he done so, the curse would have lifted and Percivale would have being given the secret of the Grail. The curse began because one of Percivale's uncles had wickedly murdered his own brother so that he could take his brother's land. God had punished this usurper for fratricide. Many people living in the castle were killed, including the murderer and his family. Yet many of the dead, who were innocent, continued to live in this castle, as they have done so while they had lived. Only by asking the question of the miracle of the Grail, could the dead finally find peace. Everyone in the hall, including the old lord himself, was dead, except for the goddess and her five noble companions. After rewarding Gawaine with a most splendid broadsword, the lord and his retinue vanished, because the curse had ended, and now the living can cease their mourning. The Grail, spear and candlesticks had vanished too. Only the goddess, her five noble maidens and his two sleeping companions remained in the hall. The goddess and the maidens joyfully thanked Gawaine for successfully completing his quest. Gawaine and his companions then return to Arthur's court in Cardueil, after they rescued Kay.
One New Year's day, when the knights of the Round Table were all seated and feasting in King Arthur's court, Sir Bertilak, in disguise and calling himself the 'Green Knight' entered the hall. There he challenged one of the knights present at the feast to cut off his head. But, in return, the Green Knight must then be allowed to cut of the brave knight's head in a year and a day.
Sir Gawaine was the only knight brave enough to accept the challenge and taking up his sword, cut off the Green Knight's head. But then the 'corpse' picked up its head and fixed it back on, saying, as he left the court, that if Gawaine was bold enough, he would meet the Green Knight on the following New Year's day for his due to be paid. A year passed, and it came time for Gawaine to set out for the Green Knight to fulfill his part of the bargain. On the way there, Gawaine met and bargained with the Lord of Castle Hutton. In exchange for lodging, Gawaine would give the Lord everything that he had gained that day, and the Lord would do the same towards Gawaine. While the Lord was off hunting, his wife came and approached Gawaine, giving him a kiss. This he duly relayed towards the Lord when he got back from hunting. The next day the same thing happened, with the Lord's wife giving Gawaine two kisses, and Gawaine giving the Lord two kisses. On the third day, however, Gawaine received three kisses and a scarf of magical green lace to protect him on his quest from the Lord's wife. This time Gawaine only gave the Lord the kisses, not the green scarf.
Then it came time for him to comtinue on his quest. He was to meet the Green Knight at the Green Chapel (imaginative name!), and there he was met and told to kneel down and be ready to receive his fate. The Knight swung his sword three times, but only on the third cut did he even touch Gawaine's neck; and even then it was only a slight nick. The Green Knight then revealed himself to be none other than Gawaine's host, and he told Gawaine that because he had given the Lord all the kisses his neck was saved, and that the Lord would not even have scratched him had the knight told the Lord about the green scarf.
Gawaine was said to have many wives and/or lovers, and at least 21 are named in texts and writings. In basically every tale, the knight is given a new wife - an example of which would be Amurfina, the daughter of Sorcha, or, in some cases, of Carl of Carlisle.
His most famous marriage, though, would have to be the one to Lady Ragnell. The story of their meeting is as follows: While staying with King Uriens at Carlisle, King Arthur was set upon, and overpowered, outside the city walls by a local knight. The vagabond agreed to spare the King's life as long as, in a year, Arthur could find the answer to the question - "What is it that women most desire?". If he could not answer than he would be slain. A year passed and still King Arthur hadn't come up with and answer. He woefully travelled back to Carlisle, where he met an ugly old hag, sitting by the wayside. She told him that if the King could find her a husband, then she would tell him the answer and he could live! Of course King Arthur readily agreed and the hag told him that what women most desire is - their own way. Arthur successfully completed his quest and returned to court victorious, but he still had to find someone willing to marry the 'loathly lady', as he had so knicknamed the hag. Gawaine, ever the saviour, stepped forward and offered himself to save the King from embarassment. They were married amoung little celebration, and that night the hag revealed something to Gawaine. She was, in fact, a beautiful maiden under a spell. She could be hideous by day and beautiful at night, or vice versa, the choice was Gawaine's. Torn by the selection, Gawaine suddenly remembered King Arthur's riddle and told his wife she must have her own way and choose herself. Delighted, the lady declared that Gawaine's answer had broken the spell, and from then on she remained beautiful forever. Gawaine and Ragnell lived happily after, where they parents of a son, named Gingalain (Guinglain).
Other myths and legends about Gawaine include a similar story to the one about Gawaine and the Green Knight in that it contains a beheading game. Gawaine had been obliged to stay with Carl (or Ceorl, reputably a Saxon lord) of Carlisle, along with his friends Sirs Kay and Baldwin, after they had lost their way while out hunting. Carl was not the most hospitable of hosts, in fact, he challenged his guests to a series of trials which included an ordeal similar to the one Gawaine encountered with the Green Knight. Gawaine chopped of his host's head and thus released him from a spell set on him by an evil giant, who had decreed that Carl had to test or kill each of his guests. As you can imagine, the Saxon lord was delighted that he no longer had to attempt to slay the knights.
Other adventures include defending Roestoc against attack from Sir Segwarides; supporting the true Queen Guinevere against an imposter; being imprisoned in the Dolorous Tower; and at the Castle of Maidens; defeating the knights exiled from the same castle; as well as Yvain the Bastard, King Bagdemagus and at least sixteen other knights; feuding with the House of Pellinore; and taking part in the Grail Quest. He remained neutral over Queen Guinevere's affair with Lancelot, until his brothers were killed during her rescue from the stake. Gawaine subsequently persuaded King Arthur to declare war on Lancelot and they pursued him across the Channel. Upon their return, King Arthur's armies immediately encountered the rebellious forces of Sir Mordred at Dover. Sir Gawaine was killed in the fighting and was buried in the castle chapel, where his skull was kept for many years.
Copyright � The Arthurian Kingdom
