| Gawain and the Green Knight |
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King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table had enjoyed many years of peace. Tales of their honor and bravery had spread far and wide. No one dared to challenge the borders of the kingdom, so the knights' days were often spent engaged in jousting and other games, especially at Christmas. King Arthur particularly enjoyed such merry-making. His love fine tales of quests was legendary. It was said that the king would not sit down to feast until he was promised the tale of a great adventure. One year the New Year's Eve feast had just begun when the the great doors to the hall were flung wide by a huge green knight astride a powerful green horse. The knight was perfectly proportioned and many of the women in the hall thought him uncommonly handsome. He wore not armor, helmet or hauberk. In his great hands he carried only a sprig of holly and an ax of monumental size. He wore a beautiful mantle lined with white fur and embroidered with green jewels and gold thread. His handsome features and fine silk garments dazzled the revelers. The Green Knight gave no greeting, but, instead rode to the center of the hall. "Who is lord of this castle?" he asked in a voice deep and fierce. "I would speak with him." "I am the one you seek," Arthur replied, his hand falling unconsciously to the hilt of his sword. "I do not come to wage war," said the knight, stopping his horse before the dais where Arthur feasted with his greatest knights. "I propose only a game." "Come, sit, join us in our feast," said Arthur. "We will talk of this game after eat." "I do not wish to feast with you," said the the knight. He turned toward the knights in the hall. "I propose a challenge. I will give this fine ax, which has no equal, to any man who will strike one blow against me unchallenged. If I survive the blow, this man will agree to meet me twelve months and one day hence to receive the same from me. Who among you will accept my challenge?" King Arthur laughed. Surely, he thought, this was a joke. The Knights of the Round Table chuckled with their king, but no one answered the challenge. A look of scorn darkened the Green Knight's face, and Arthur and his knights became uneasy. The Green Knight spurred his horse round the room, his horse's hoofbeats echoing throughout the now silent hall. "I have heard much talk of the Knights of the Round Table, of their bravery and chivalry. I see now it is only legend. Not one of you is brave enough to strike this blow." "Had I thought you were serious about this game, I would have been the first to accept your challenge," Arthur replied, his face red with shame and anger. "Uncle, let me stand in your stead and strike the blow," said Arthur's young nephew, Gawain. Gawain was not yet a knight, but Arthur, seeing the conviction on the boy's face and the embarrassment of the other knights, commanded his nephew to kneel before him. Arthur knighted him and Gawain turned to the Green Knight. "I accept your challenge." Gawain's voice rang throughout the hall. The other knights of the Round Table admired this young knight, who had shown more bravery than they who had more experience. The Green Knight dismounted and bent so that his neck was clearly exposed. Gawain took up the ax, raised it high and brought it down with such force that the Green Knight's bones and tendons were cleanly severed. His head rolled to the foot of the dais where King Arthur was seated. The knight's headless body straightened and strode to the dais where he lifted his severed head by its glittering green hair, and tucked it beneath his arm. His eyes opened and gazed forth at Gawain. "A fine blow, indeed," his lips spoke. "Take heed of our agreement, Sir Knight. I am known as the Green Knight of the Green Chapel. When you ride out to meet me twelve months hence to receive the reward you surely deserve, you will find me there." The Green Knight mounted his horse and rode so swiftly from the hall that sparks flew from his horse's hooves. The hall was silent for a stunned moment before those gathered returned to their merry-making, congratulating Gawain on his bravery. The months of the year flew swiftly, and soon it came time for Gawain to set out to find the Green Knight. On All Saints Day, Arthur gathered his knights and the ladies of the court together for feasting and fellowship. No one talked of the seriousness of Gawain's quest, but teased and laughed with him, all the while fearing that they would never see the young knight again. After eating, Gawain formally asked the King if he might leave Camelot to go in search of the Green Knight. With a heavy heart, Arthur gave his permission. Gawain prepared himself, dressing in his finest garments. He heard mass, bid the members of the court good-bye, and then galloped away on his horse, Gringolet. For seven weeks, Gawain rode through unknown lands searching for the Green Chapel. The road was not easy, and he encountered great hardship. He fought many fierce challengers, several who might have slain him if he had not been such a brave and noble knight. He traversed rugged terrain and saw wondrous sights. He slept where he could find little comfort, in his armor, in caves, even on solid rock. The winter weather was merciless, hammering him with sleet and rain. Thus Gawain wandered, searching in pain and alone. On Christmas Eve, disheartened and nearly exhausted, he stopped by the side of a lonely trail, knelt down and prayed for shelter and a place to hear mass. No sooner had he risen from his prayers than he saw a castle in the distance. Encouraged, Gawain remounted Gringolet and rode to the castle. The man who greeted Gawain at the door was fierce of face but gracious and cultured in his speech. He invited Gawain to join his family for Christmas and Gawain gratefully accepted. They feasted and made merry that day and the next. On the third day, the lord of the castle asked Gawain what dark deed had driven him to wander alone with such courage when he could have been feasting with the King. “I am searching for the Green Chapel and the Green Knight who abides there. I have agreed to meet him there on New Year’s, but I do not know where to find him. Do you know of t his Green Chapel? “Aye. It is not more than a half day’s ride from here. Stay wit us a little longer, rest and on New Year’s Day ride out to meet this Green Knight.” “This is good new you have given me,” laughed Gawain in relief. “My quest is at an enad. I will gladly stay, and I thank you for your hospitality.” “Wonderful! Tomorrow you must rest, sleep late, and, after you eat, amuse yourself by keeping my wife company until I return to the castle.” The lord paused a moment, thinking. “Sir Knight,” he said, smiling, “let us make an agreement. Whatever I bring back from hunting in the woods shall be yours, and whatever good fortune befalls you during the day, shall be mine in exchange. Let us strike this bargain, whatever good or bad happens to either of us, we will honestly exchange.” |