Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, Part One

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the best known of all the Arthurian legends and was set down by an unknown writer in the late 14th century, a writer who would come to be known for evermore as the Gawain poet. Let the cadences of Middle English poetry lull you to sleep.

TRIGGER WARNING: like all the chivalric stories from King Arthur's court, the story Gawain contains violence.

Transcript

Hello,

Mandy here.

I'm really pleased that you've joined me tonight to hear part one of the ancient story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

It's one of the best known tales from the court of King Arthur.

The story was set down by an unknown writer in the late 14th century,

A writer known simply and forevermore as the Gawain poet.

So now please feel free to sink down gently into whatever surface you're lying or sitting on.

Take a few slow breaths and make yourself really comfortable as we settle down to enjoy this ancient tale.

After the siege and the assault of Troy,

When that burg was destroyed and burnt to ashes and the traitor slain for his treason,

The noble Aeneas and his kin sailed forth to become princes and patrons of Welnai,

All the Western Isles.

Thus Romulus built Rome and gave to the city his own name,

Which it bears even to this day.

And Tiscius turned him to Tuscany and Langobard raised him up dwellings in Lombardy.

And Felix Brutus sailed far over the French flood and founded the kingdom of Britain,

Wherein have been war and waste and wonder and bliss and bail oft times since.

And in that kingdom of Britain have been wrought more gallant deeds than in any other.

But of all British kings,

Arthur was the most valiant,

As I have heard tell.

And therefore will I set forth a wondrous adventure that fell out in his time.

And if ye will listen to me,

But for a little while,

I will tell it even as it stands in stories stiff and strong,

Fixed in the letter,

As it hath long been known in the land.

King Arthur lay at Camelot upon a Christmas tide,

With many a gallant lord and lovely lady,

And all the noble brotherhood of the round table.

There they held rich revels with gay talk and jest.

One while they would ride forth to joust and tourney,

And again back to the court to make carols.

For there was the feast holden fifteen days,

With all the mirth that men could devise,

Song and glee,

Glorious to hear in the daytime,

And dancing at night.

Halls and chambers were crowded with noble guests,

The bravest of knights and the loveliest of ladies,

And Arthur himself was the comeliest king that ever held a court.

For all this,

Fair folk were in their youth,

The fairest and most fortunate under heaven,

And the king himself of such fame that it were hard now to name so valiant a hero.

Now the new year had but newly come in,

And on that day a double portion was served on the high table to all the noble guests,

And thither came the king with all his knights,

When the service in the chapel had been sung to an end.

And they greeted each other for the new year and gave rich gifts,

The one to the other,

And the maidens laughed and made mirth till it was time to get them to meet.

Then they washed and sat them down to the feast in fitting rank and order,

And Guinevere,

The queen,

Gaily clad,

Sat on the high dais.

Silken was her seat,

With a fair canopy over her head,

Of rich tapestries of tars,

Embroidered and studded with costly gems.

Fair she was to look upon,

With her shining grey eyes,

A fairer woman might no man boast himself of having seen.

But Arthur would not eat until all was served,

So full of joy and gladness was he,

Even as a child.

He liked not either to lie long or to sit long at meet,

So worked upon him his young blood and his wild brain.

And another custom he had also that came of his nobility,

That he would never eat upon a high day till he had been advised of some knightly deed,

Or some strange and marvellous tale of his ancestors,

Or of alms,

Or of other ventures,

Or till some knight should seek for him leave to joust with another,

That they might set their lives in jeopardy one against another,

As fortune might favour them.

Such was the king's custom when he sat in hall at each high feast with his noble knights.

Therefore on that new year tide he abode,

Fairer face on the throne,

And made much mirth with all.

Thus the king sat before the high table and spake of many things,

And there good Sir Gawain was seated by Guinevere the Queen,

And on her other side sat Agravain a la Dieu-Main,

Both were the king's sister's sons and full gallant knights,

And at the end of the table was Bishop Bordewin and Ewain,

King Urion's son,

Sat at the other side alone.

These were worthily served on the dais,

And at the lower tables sat many valiant knights.

Then they bear in the first course with the blast of trumpets and waving of banners,

With the sound of drums and pipes,

Of song and lute,

That many a heart was uplifted at the melody.

Many were the dainties,

And rare the meats,

So great was the plenty,

They might scarce find room on the board to set on the dishes.

Each helped himself as he liked best,

And to each two were twelve dishes,

With great plenty of beer and wine.

Now I will say no more of the service,

But that ye may know there was no lack,

For there drew near a venture that the folk might well have left their labour to gaze upon.

As the sound of the music ceased,

And the first course had been fitly served,

There came in at the hall door one terrible to behold,

Of stature greater than any on earth,

From neck to loin so strong and thickly made,

And with limbs so long and so great,

That he seemed even as a giant.

And yet he was but a man,

Only the mightiest that might mount a steed,

Broad of chest and shoulders,

And slender of waist,

And all his features of like fashion.

But men marvelled much at his colour,

For he rode even as a knight,

Yet was green all over.

For he was clad all in green,

With a straight coat and a mantle above,

All decked and lined with fur was the cloth and the hood that was thrown back from his locks,

And lay on his shoulders.

Hose had he of the same green,

And spurs of bright gold,

With silken fastenings richly worked,

And all his vesture was verily green.

Around his waist and his saddle were bands with fair stones,

Set upon silken work,

For too long to tell of all the trifles that were embroidered thereon,

Birds and insects in gay gourds of green and gold.

All the trappings of his steed were of metal of like enamel,

Even the stirrups that he stood in stained of the same,

And stirrups and saddle bow alike gleamed and shone with green stones.

Even the steed on which he rode was of the same hue,

A green horse,

Great and strong and hard to hold,

With broidered bridle,

Meet for the rider.

The knight was thus gaily dressed in green,

His hair falling around his shoulders,

On his breast hung a beard as thick and green as a bush,

And the beard and the hair of his head were clipped all round above his elbows.

The lower part of his sleeves were fastened with clasps,

In the same wise as a king's mantle.

The horse's mane was crisped and plaited,

With many a knot folded in with gold thread about the fair green,

Here a twist of the hair,

Here another of gold.

The tail was twined in like manner,

And both were bound about with a band of bright green,

Set with many a precious stone.

Then they were tied aloft in a cunning knot,

Whereon rang many bells of burnished gold.

Such a steed might no other ride,

Nor had such ever been looked upon in that hall,

Ere that time,

And all who saw that night spake and said that a man might scarce abide his stroke.

The knight bore no helm,

Nor hauberk,

Neither gorge or breastplate,

Neither shaft nor buckler,

To smite nor to shield,

But in one hand he had a holly bow,

That is greenest when the groves are bare,

And in his other an axe,

Huge and uncomely,

A cruel weapon in fashion,

If one would picture it.

The head was an ell-yard long,

The metal all of green steel and gold,

The blade burnished bright with a broad edge,

As well sharpened to shear as a sharp razor.

The steel was set into a strong staff,

All bound round with iron,

Even to the end,

And engraved with green in cunning work.

A lace was twined about it,

That looped at the head,

And all are down the handle,

It was clasped with tassels on buttons of bright green,

Richly broidered.

The knight halted in the entrance of the hall,

Looking to the high dais,

And greeted no man,

But looked ever upwards,

And the first words he spake were,

Where is the ruler of the ruler of this folk?

I would gladly look upon that hero and have speech with him.

He cast his eyes on the knights,

And mustered them up and down,

Striving ever to see who of them was of most renown.

Then was there great gazing to behold that chief,

For each man marvelled what it might mean that a knight in his steed should have even such a hue as the green grass,

And that seemed even greener than green enamel on bright gold.

All looked on him as he stood,

And drew near unto him,

Wondering greatly what he might be.

For many marvels had they seen,

But none such as this,

And phantasm and fairy did the folk deem it.

Therefore,

With the gallant knights slow to answer,

And gazed astounded,

And sat stone still in a deep silence throughout that goodly hall,

As if a slumber were fallen on them,

I deem it was not all for doubt,

But some for courtesy,

That they might give ear unto his errand.

Then Arthur beheld this adventure before his high dais,

And knightly he greeted him,

For discourteous was he never.

Sir,

He said,

Thou art welcome to this place,

Lord of this hall am I,

And men call me Arthur.

Light thee down and tarry a while,

And what thy will is,

That we shall learn after.

Nay,

Quoth the stranger,

So help me he that sitteth on high.

T'was not mine errand to tarry any while in this dwelling,

But the praise of this thy folk and thy city is lifted up on high,

And thy warriors are holden for the best and the most valiant of those who ride male-clad to the fight.

The wisest and the worthiest of this world are they,

And well proven in all knightly sports,

And here,

As I have heard tell,

Is fairest courtesy.

Therefore have I come hither,

As at this time,

Ye may be sure,

By the branch that I bear here,

That I come in peace,

Seeking no strife.

For had I willed to journey in warlike guise,

I have at home both halberk and helm,

Shield and shining spear,

And other weapons to mine hand.

But since I seek no war,

My raiment is that of peace.

But if thou be as bold as all men tell,

Thou wilt freely grant me the boon I ask.

And Arthur answered,

Sir Knight,

If thou cravest battle here,

Thou shalt not fail for lack of a foe.

And the knight answered,

Nay,

I ask no fight,

In faith here on the benches are but beardless children.

Were I clad in armour on my steed,

There is no man here might match me.

Therefore I ask in this court but a christmas jest,

For that it is yuletide,

A new year,

And there are many here.

If any one in this hall holds himself so hardy,

So bold,

Both of blood and brain,

As to dare strike me one stroke for another,

I will give him as a gift this axe,

Which is heavy enough,

In sooth,

To handle as he may list,

And I will abide the first blow,

Unarmed as I sit.

If any knight be so bold as to prove my words,

Let him come swiftly to me here,

And take this weapon.

I quit claim to it,

He may keep it as his own,

And I will abide his stroke firm on the floor.

Then shalt thou give me the right to deal him another,

The respite of a year from today shall he have.

Now pledge me thy word,

And let's see whether any here,

Dey say,

Ought.

Now if the knights had been astounded at the first,

Yet stiller were they all,

High and low,

When they'd heard his words.

The knight on his steed straightened himself in the saddle,

And rolled his eyes fiercely round the hall.

Red they gleamed,

Under his green and bushy brows.

He frowned and twisted his beard,

Waiting to see who should rise,

And when none answered,

He cried aloud in mockery,

What is this Arthur's hall?

And these the knights,

Whose renown have run through many realms?

Where are now your pride and your conquests,

Your wrath and anger and mighty words?

Now are the praise and the renown of the round table,

Overthrown by one man's speech,

Since all keep silence for dread,

Erever they have seen a blow.

With that he laughed so loudly,

That the blood rushed to the king's fair face for very shame.

He waxed wroth,

As did all his knights,

And sprang to his feet,

And drew near to the stranger,

And said,

Now by heaven foolish is thine asking,

And thy folly shall find its fitting answer.

I know no man aghast at thy great words.

Give me here thine axe,

And I shall grant thee the boon thou hast asked.

Lightly he sprang to him,

And courted his hand,

And the knight,

Fierce of aspect,

Lighted down from his charger.

Then Arthur took the axe,

And gripped the haft,

And swung it round,

Ready to strike,

And the knight stood before him,

Taller by the head than any in the hall.

He stood and stroked his beard,

And drew down his coat,

No more dismayed for the king's threats,

Than if one had brought him a drink of wine.

Then Gawain,

Who sat by the queen,

Leaned forward to the king,

And spake,

I beseech thee,

My lord,

Let this venture be mine.

Would ye but bid me rise from this seat,

And stand by your side,

So that my liege lady thought it not ill.

Then would I come to your council before this goodly court.

For I think it not seemly that such challenge should be made in your hall,

That ye yourself should undertake it.

While there are many bold knights who sit beside ye,

None are them,

He thinks,

Of readier will under heaven,

Or more valiant in open field.

I am the weakest I want,

And the feeblest of wit,

And it will be the last loss of my life,

If ye seek sooth.

For save that ye are mine uncle,

Naught is there in me to praise,

No virtue is there in my body,

Save your blood.

And since this challenge is such folly,

That it beseems ye not to take it,

And I have asked it from ye first,

Let it fall to me,

And if I bear myself ungallantly,

Then let all this court blame me.

Then they all spoke with one voice,

That the king should leave this venture and grant it to Gawain.

Arthur commanded the knight to rise,

And he rose up quickly and knelt down before the king,

And caught hold of the weapon,

And the king loosed his hold of it,

And lifted up his hand,

And gave him his blessing,

And bade him be strong both of heart and hand.

Keep thee well nephew,

Quoth Arthur,

That thou give him but the one blow,

And if thou readest him rightly,

I trow thou shalt well abide the stroke he may give thee after.

Gawain stretched to the stranger,

Axe in hand,

And he never fearing,

Awaited his coming.

Then the green knight spake to Sir Gawain,

Make we our covenant ere we go further.

First I ask thee knight,

What is thy name?

Tell me truly that I may know thee.

In faith,

Quote the good knight,

Gawain am I,

Who give thee this buffet,

Let what may come of it,

And at this time twelve months will I take another at thine hand,

With whatsoever weapon thou wilt,

And none other.

Then the other answered again,

Sir Gawain,

So may I thrive as I am fain to take this buffet at thine hand,

And he quote further,

Sir Gawain,

It like of me well that I shall take at thy fist that which I have asked here,

And thou hast readily and truly rehearsed all the covenant that I asked of the king,

Save that thou shall swear me by thy truth to seek me thyself wherever thou hopest that I may be found,

And win thee such reward as thou dealest me today before this folk.

Where shall I seek thee,

Quote Gawain,

Where is thy place?

By him that made me,

I what never where thou dwellest,

Nor know I thee knight,

Thy court nor thy name,

But teach me truly all that pertaineth thereto,

And tell me thy name,

And I shall use all my wit to win my way thither,

And that I swear thee forsooth,

And by my sure truth.

That is enough in the new year,

It needs no more,

Quote the green knight to the gallant Gawain,

If I tell thee truly when I have taken the blow,

And thou hast smitten me,

Then will I teach thee of my house and home,

And mine own name,

Then mayest thou ask thy road,

And keep covenant,

And if I waste no words,

Then farest thou the batter,

For thou canst dwell in thy land,

And seek no further,

But take now thy toll,

And let's see how thy strikest.

Gladly will I,

Quote Gawain,

Handling his axe.

Then the green knight swiftly made him ready,

He bowed down his head,

And laid his long locks on the crown,

That his bare neck might be seen.

Gawain gripped his axe,

And raised it on high,

The left foot he set forward on the floor,

And let the blow fall lightly on the bare neck.

The sharp edge of the blade sundered the bones,

Smote through the neck,

And clave it in two,

So that the edge of the steel bit on the ground,

And the head rolled even to the horse's feet.

The blood spurted forth,

And glistened on the green raiment,

But the knight neither faltered nor fell.

He started forward with outstretched hand,

And caught the head,

And lifted it up.

Then he turned to his steed,

And took hold of the bridle,

Set his foot in the stirrup,

And mounted.

His head he held by the hair in his hand.

Then he seated himself in his saddle,

As if nought ailed him,

And he were not headless.

He turned his steed about,

The grim corpse bleeding freely the while,

And they who looked upon him doubted them much for the covenant.

For he held up the head in his hand,

And turned the face towards them that sat on the high dais,

And it lifted up the eyelids,

And looked upon them,

And spake as ye shall hear.

Look,

Gawain,

That thou art ready to go as thou hast promised,

And seek leerly till thou find me,

Even as thou hast sworn in this hall in the hearing of these knights.

Come thou,

I charge thee to the green chapel,

Such a stroke as thou hast dealt thou hast deserves.

It shall be promptly paid thee on new year's morn.

Many men know me as the knight of the green chapel,

And if thou askest,

Thou shall not fail to find me.

Therefore it behoves thee to come,

Or to yield thee as recreant.

With that he turned his bridle,

And galloped out at the hall door,

His head in his hands,

So that the sparks flew from beneath his horse's hooves.

Whither he went,

None knew,

No more than they wist whence he had come,

And the king and Gawain they gazed and laughed,

For in sooth this had proved a greater marvel than any they had known aforetime.

Though Arthur,

The king,

Was astonished at his heart,

Yet he let no sign of it be seen,

But spake in courteous wise to the fair queen.

Dear lady,

Be not dismayed,

Such craft is well suited to Christmas tide,

When we seek jesting,

Laughter and song,

And fair carols of knights and ladies.

But now I will get me to meet,

For I have seen a marvel I may not forget.

Then he looked on Sir Gawain,

And said,

Gaily,

Now,

Fair nephew,

Hang up thine axe,

Since it has hewn enough.

And they hung it on the docile above the dais,

Where all men might look on it for a marvel,

And by its true token tell of the wonder.

Then the twain sat them down together,

The king and the good knight,

And men served them with a double portion,

As was the share of the noblest,

With all manner of meat and of minstrelsy.

And they spent that day in gladness.

But Sir Gawain must well be thinking of the heavy venture to which he had set his hand.

To be continued.

Reviews

Of course I have heard of these tales but never read them. Thanks for reading to me Mandy 🙏🏻

There are few new story tellers I’m enjoying on Insight Timer just now. Many are over the top dramatic for my taste. You Mandy are like a best friend who is also a talented reader. I also love your story choices. Plus I tend to fall asleep before stories end. Thank you.

I love ❤️ your voice, Mandy. I've listened to this over and over and keep falling asleep 😴 💤 I did hear the description of the green knight and his horse. I'll try again so that I can advance to parts 2 and 3.

I love these tales. I fell asleep before hearing the end so I will listen to it again