Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part Two

Let the cadences of Middle English poetry lull you to sleep as you listen to this ancient story, the best known of all the tales from the court of King Arthur. Don't worry if you haven't yet listened to Part One: each episode of Gawain can be enjoyed separately.

TRIGGER WARNING: like all the chivalric stories from King Arthur's court, this story contains references to women's beauty and age.

Transcript

Hello,

Mandy here.

I'm really pleased that you've decided to join me tonight to hear part two of the ancient story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,

Which is really 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 who would be known simply and forevermore as the Gawain poet.

If you've already listened to part one,

It's great to have you back.

If you haven't,

It really doesn't matter.

The story is picaresque,

Which is another way of saying that it's made up of episodes that you can enjoy separately.

So anyway,

Let's begin and before we do,

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.

Part two.

This beginning of adventures had Arthur at the new year,

For he yearned to hear gallant tales,

Though his words were few when he sat at the feast.

But now they had stern work at hand.

Gawain was glad to begin the jest in the hall,

But he need have no marvel if the end be heavy.

For though a man be merry in mind when he is well drunk,

Yet a year runs full swiftly and the beginning but rarely matches the end.

For Yule was now overpassed and the year after,

Each season in its turn following the other.

After Christmas comes crabbed lent that will have fish for flesh and simpler cheer.

But then the weather of the world chides with winter.

The cold withdraws itself,

The clouds uplift and the rain falls in warm showers on the fair plains.

Then the flowers come forth,

Meadows and groves are clad in green,

The birds make ready to build and sing sweetly for solace of the soft summer that follows thereafter.

The blossoms bud and blow in the hedgerows,

Rich and rank,

And noble notes enough are heard in the fair woods.

After the season of summer with the soft winds,

When Zephyr breathes lightly on seeds and herbs,

Joyous indeed is the growth that waxes there out when the dew drips from the leaves beneath the blissful glance of the bright sun.

But then comes harvest and hardens the grain,

Warning it to wax ripe e'er the winter.

The drought drives the dust on high,

Flying over the face of the land.

The angry wind of the Welkin wrestles with the sun.

The leaves fall from the trees and light upon the ground,

And all brown are the groves that but now were green,

And ripe is the fruit that once was flower.

So the year passes into many yesterdays,

And winter comes again,

As it needs no sage to tell us.

When the Michaelmas moon was come in with warnings of winter,

Sir Gawain bethought him full oft of his perilous journey.

Yet till All Hallows' Day he lingered with Arthur,

And on that day they made a great feast for the hero's sake,

With much revel and richness of the round table.

Courteous knights and comely ladies all were in sorrow for the love of that night,

And though they spake no word of it,

Many were joyless for his sake.

And after meet,

Sadly Sir Gawain turned to his uncle and spake of his journey,

And said,

Leeg,

Lord of my life,

Leave from you I crave.

Ye know well how the matter stands,

Without more words.

Tomorrow I am bound to set forth in search of the green night.

Then came together all the noblest knights,

Ewain and Eric,

And many another,

Sir Dodinel,

Le Sauvage,

Lancelot and Lionel,

And Lucan the Good,

Sir Bors and Sir Bedevere,

Valiant knights both,

And many another hero,

With Sir Madour de la Porte,

And they all drew near,

Heavy at heart,

To take counsel with Sir Gawain.

Much sorrow and weeping was there in the hall to think that so worthy a knight as Gawain should wend his way to seek a deadly blow,

And should no more wield his sword in fight.

But the knight made ever good cheer,

And said,

Nay,

Wherefore should I shrink?

What may a man do but prove his fate?

He dwelt there all that day,

And on the morn he arose and asked betimes for his armour,

And they brought it unto him,

On this wise.

First a rich carpet was stretched on the floor,

And brightly did the gold gear glitter upon it.

Then the knight stepped on to it,

And handled the steel.

Clad he was in a doublet of silk,

With a close hood,

Lined fairly throughout.

Then they set the steel shoes upon his feet,

And wrapped his legs with greaves,

With polished kneecaps,

Fastened with knots of gold.

Then they cased his thighs in cuisses,

Closed with thongs,

And brought him the burny of bright steel rings,

Sewn upon a fair stuff.

Well-burnished braces they set on each arm,

With good elbow-pieces,

And gloves of mail,

And all the goodly gear that should shield him in his need.

And they cast over all a rich surcoat,

And set the golden spurs on his heels,

And girt him with a trusty sword,

Fastened with a silken baldrick.

When he was thus clad,

His harness was costly,

For the least loop or latchet gleamed with gold.

So armed as he was,

He hearkened mass,

And made his offering at the high altar.

Then he came to the king and the knights of his court,

And courteously took leave of lords and ladies,

And they kissed him,

And commended him to Christ.

With that was Gringolet ready,

Girt with a saddle that gleamed gaily with many golden fringes,

Enriched and bedecked anew for the venture.

The bridle was all barred about,

With bright gold buttons,

And all the covertures and trappings of the steed,

The cropper and the rich skirts,

Accorded with the saddle,

Spread fair with the rich red gold that glittered and gleamed in the rays of the sun.

Then the knight called for his helmet,

Which was well lined throughout,

And set it high on his head,

And hasped it behind.

He wore a light kerchief over the vintail,

That was broidered and studded with fair gems on a broad silken ribbon,

With birds of gay colour,

And many a turtle and true lover's knot interlaced thickly,

Even as many a maiden had wrought them.

But the circlet which crowned his helmet was yet more precious,

Being adorned with a device in diamonds.

Then they brought him his shield,

Which was of bright red,

With the pentangle painted thereon in gleaming gold.

And why that noble prince bear the pentangle,

I am minded to tell you,

Though my tale tarry thereby.

It is a sign that Solomon set,

Erewhile,

As betokening truth.

For it is a figure with five points,

And each line overlaps the other,

And nowhere hath it beginning or end,

So that in English it is called the endless knot.

And therefore was it well suiting to this knight and to his arms,

Since Gawain was faithful in five and fivefold,

For pure was he as gold,

Void of all villainy,

And endowed with all virtues.

Therefore he bear the pentangle on shield and surcoat as truest of heroes and gentlest of knights.

For first he was faultless in his five senses,

And his five fingers never failed him,

And all his trust upon earth was in the five wounds that Christ bear on the cross,

As the creed tells.

And wherever this knight found himself in stress of battle,

He deemed well that he drew strength from the five joys which the Queen of Heaven had of her child.

And for this cause did he bear an image of Our Lady on the one half of his shield,

That whenever he looked upon it he might not lack for aid.

And the fifth five that the hero used were frankness and fellowship above all,

Purity and courtesy that never failed him,

And compassion that surpasses all.

And in these five virtues was that hero wrapped and clothed.

And all these fivefold were linked one in the other,

So that they had no end,

And were fixed on five points that never failed.

Neither at any side were they joined or sundered,

Nor could he find beginning or end.

And therefore on his shield was the knot,

Shapen,

Red gold upon red,

Which is the pure pentangle.

Now was Sir Gawain ready,

And he took his lance in hand,

And bade them all farewell.

He deemed it had been forever.

Then he smote the steed with his spurs,

And sprang on his way,

So that sparks flew from the stones after him.

All that saw him were grieved at heart,

And said one to the other,

By Christ is great pity that one of such noble life should be lost,

In faith,

T'were not easy to find his equal upon earth.

The king had done better to have wrought more warily.

Yonder knight should have been made a duke.

A gallant leader of men is he,

And such a fate had beseemed him better,

Than to be hewn in pieces at the will of an elfish man,

For mere pride.

Whoever knew a king to take such counsel as to risk his knights on a Christmas jest?

Many were the tears that flowed from their eyes,

When that goodly knight rode from the hall.

He made no delaying,

But went his way swiftly,

And rode many a wild road,

As I heard say in the book.

And so rode Sir Gawain through the realm of Logres,

On an errand that he held for no jest.

Often he lay companionless at night,

And must lack the fare that he liked.

No comrade had he,

Save his steed,

And none save God,

With whom to take counsel.

At length he drew nigh to North Wales,

And left the isles of Anglesey on his left hand,

Crossing over the fords by the foreland,

Over at Hollyhead,

Till he came into the wilderness of Wirral,

That is loved neither of God nor of man,

And there he abode but a little time.

And ever he asked,

As he fared,

Of all whom he met,

If they had heard any tithings of a green knight in the country thereabout,

Or a green chapel.

And all answered him,

Nay,

Never in their lives had they seen any man of such a hue.

And the knight wended his way by many a strange road,

And many a rugged path,

And the fashion of his countenance changed full often,

Ere he saw the green chapel.

Many a cliff did he climb in that unknown land,

Where afar from his friends he rode as a stranger.

Never did he come to a stream or a ford,

But he found a foe before him,

And that one so marvellous,

So foul and fell,

That it behoved him to fight.

So many wonders did that knight behold,

That it were too long to tell the tenth part of them.

Sometimes he fought with dragons and wolves,

Sometimes with wild men that dwelt in the rocks,

Another while with bulls and bears and wild boars,

Or with giants of the high moorland,

That drew near to him.

Had he not been a doughty knight,

Enduring,

And of well-proved valour,

Doubtless he had been slain,

For he was oft in danger of death.

Yet he cared not so much for the strife.

What he deemed worse was when the cold clear water was shed from the clouds,

And froze,

Ere it fell on the fallow ground.

More nights than enough he slept in his harness on the bare rocks,

Near slain with the sleet,

While the stream leapt bubbling from the crest of the hills,

And hung in hard icicles over his head.

Thus,

In peril and pain and many a hardship,

The knight rode alone till Christmas Eve,

And in that tide he made his prayer to the Blessed Virgin,

That she would guide his steps and lead him to some dwelling.

On that morning he rode by a hill,

And came into a thick forest,

Wild and drear.

On each side were high hills,

And thick woods below them,

Of great hoar,

Oaks,

A hundred together,

Of hazel and hawthorn,

With their trailing bows intertwined,

And rough rugged moss spreading everywhere.

On the bare twigs the birds chirped piteously for pain of the cold.

The knight upon Gringolet rode lonely beneath them through marsh and mire,

Much troubled at heart,

Lest he should fail to see the service of the Lord,

Who on that selfsame night was born of a maiden for the cure of our grief.

And therefore he said,

Sighing,

I beseech thee,

Lord,

And Mary thy gentle mother,

For some shelter where I may hear mass,

And thy matins at morn.

This I ask meekly,

And thereto I pray my paternoster,

Ave and Credo.

Thus he rode,

Praying,

And lamenting his misdeeds,

And he crossed himself and said,

May the cross of Christ speed me.

Now that knight had crossed himself but thrice ere he was aware,

In the wood of a dwelling,

Within a moat,

Above a lawn,

On a mound surrounded by many mighty trees that stood round the moat,

T'was the fairest castle that ever a knight owned,

Built in a meadow with a park all about it,

And a spiked palisade,

Closely driven,

That enclosed the trees for more than two miles.

The knight was aware of the hold from the side as it shone through the oaks.

Then he lifted off his helmet and thanked Christ and Saint Julian that they had courteously granted his prayer,

And he hearkened to his cry.

Now,

Quoth the knight,

I beseech thee,

Grant me fair hostel.

Then he pricked gringolet with his golden spears and rode gaily towards the great gate and came swiftly to the bridge end.

The bridge was drawn up and the gates closed shut.

The walls were strong and thick so that they might fear no tempest.

The knight on his charger abode on the bank of the deep double ditch that surrounded the castle.

The walls were set deep in the water and rose aloft and the castle was a great castle.

The walls were carved to a wondrous height.

They were of hard hewn stone up to the core bells which were adorned beneath the battlements with fair carvings and turrets set in between with many a loophole,

A better barbican Sir Gawain had never looked upon.

And within he beheld the high hall with its tower and many windows with carven cornices and chalk white chimneys on the turreted roofs that shone fair in the sun.

And everywhere thickly scattered on the castle battlements were pinnacles so many that it seemed as if it were all wrought out of paper.

So white was it.

The knight on his steed deemed it fair enough if he might come to be sheltered within it to lodge there while that holy day lasted.

He called aloud and soon there came a porter of kindly countenance who stood on the wall and greeted this knight and asked his errand.

Good sir,

Quoth Gawain,

Wilt thou go mine errand to the high lord of the castle and crave for me lodging?

Yea,

By Saint Peter,

Quoth the porter.

Insooth I trow that ye be welcome to dwell here so long as ye may like.

Then he went and came again swiftly and many folk with him to receive the knight.

They let down the great drawbridge and came forth and knelt on their knees on the cold earth to give him worthy welcome.

They held wide open the great gates and he greeted them courteously and rode over the bridge.

Then men came to him and held his stirrup while he dismounted and took and stabled his steed.

There came down knights and squires to bring the guest with joy to the hall.

When he raised his helmet there were many to take it from his hand,

Feign to serve him and they took from him sword and shield.

Sir Gawain gave good greeting to the nobles and the mighty men who came to do him honour.

Clad in his shining armour they led him to the hall where a great fire burnt brightly on the floor and the lord of the household came forth from his chamber to meet the hero fitly.

He spake to the knight and said ye are welcome to do here as it likes ye.

All that is here is your own to have at your will and disposal.

Gra merci,

Quote Gawain,

May Christ requite ye.

As friends that were fain each embraced the other and Gawain looked on the knight who greeted him so kindly and thought it was a bold warrior that owned that berg.

Of mighty stature he was and of high age,

Broad and flowing was his beard and of a bright hue.

He was stalwart of limb and strong in his stride,

His face fiery red and his speech free.

In sooth he seemed one well fitted to be a leader of valiant men.

And then the lord led Sir Gawain to a chamber and commanded folk to wait upon him and at his bidding there came men enough who brought the guest to a fair bower.

The bedding was noble with curtains of pure silk wrought with gold and wondrous coverings of fair cloth all embroidered.

The curtains ran on ropes with rings of red gold and the walls were hung with carpets of orient and the same spread on the floor.

There with mirthful speeches they took from the guest his bernie and all his shining armour and brought him rich robes of the choicest in its stead.

They were long and flowing and became him well and when he was glad in them all who looked on the hero thought that surely god had never made a fairer knight.

He seemed as if he might be a prince without peer in the field where men strive in battle.

Then before the hearth place whereon the fire burned they made ready a chair for Gawain hung about with cloth and fair cushions and there they cast around him a mantle of brown samite richly embroidered and furred within with costly skins of ermine with a hood of the same and he seated himself in that rich seat and warmed himself at the fire and was cheered at heart.

And while he sat thus the serving men set up a table on trestles and covered it with a fair white cloth and set thereon salt cellar and napkin and silver spoons and the knight washed at his will and set him down to meet.

The folk served him courteously with many dishes seasoned of the best a double portion.

All kinds of fish were there some baked in bread some broiled on the embers some sodden some stewed and savored with spices with all sorts of cunning devices to his taste and often he called it a feast when they spake gaily to him altogether and said now take ye this penance and it shall be for your amendment much mirth thereof did sir Gawain make.

Then they questioned that prince courteously of whence he came and he told them that he was of the court of Arthur who is the rich royal king of the round table and that it was Gawain himself who was within their walls and would keep Christmas with them as the chance had fallen out.

And when the lord of the castle heard those tidings he laughed aloud for gladness and all men in that keep were joyful that they should be in the company of him to whom belonged all fame and valor and courtesy and whose honor was praised above that of all men on earth.

Each said softly to his fellow now shall we see courteous bearing and the manner of speech befitting courts.

What charm lieth in gentle speech shall we learn without asking since here we have welcomed the fine father of courtesy.

God has surely shown us his grace since he sends us such a guest as Gawain.

When men shall sit and sing blithe for Christ's birth this night shall bring us to the knowledge of fair manners and it may be that hearing him we may learn the cunning speech of love.

By the time the night had risen from dinner it was near nightfall.

Then chaplains took their way to the chapel and rang loudly even as they should for the solemn even song of the high feast.

Thither went the lord and the lady and entered with their maidens into a comely closet and thither also went Gawain.

Then the lord took him by the sleeve and led him to a seat and called him by his name and told him he was of all men in the world the most welcome and said Gawain thanked him truly and each kissed the other and they sat gravely together throughout the service.

Then was the lady feigned to look upon that night and she came forth from her closet with many fair maidens.

The fairest of ladies was she in face and figure and colouring fairer even than Gwynevere so the knight thought.

She came through the chancel to greet the hero.

Another lady held her by the left older than she and seemingly of higher state with many nobles about her.

But unlike to look upon were those ladies for if the younger were fair the elderly was yellow rich red were the cheeks of the one rough and wrinkled those of the other.

The kerchiefs of the one were broided with many glistening pearls her throat and neck bare and whiter than the snow that lies on the hills.

The neck of the other was swathed in a gorge with a white wimple over her black chin.

Her forehead was wrapped in silk with many folds worked with knots so that naught of her was seen save her black brows her eyes her nose and her lips and those were bleared and ill to look upon.

A worshipful lady in soothe one might call her in figure was she short and broad and thickly made far fairer to behold was she whom she held by the hand.

When Gawain beheld that fair lady who looked him graciously with leave of the Lord he went towards them and bowing low he greeted the elder but the younger and fairer he took lightly in his arms and kissed her courteously and greeted her in nightly wise.

Then she hailed him as friend and he quickly prayed to be counted as her servant if she so willed.

Then they took him between them and talking led him to the chamber to the hearth and bad them bring spices and they brought them in plenty with the good wine that was wont to be drunk at such seasons.

Then the Lord sprang to his feet and bad them make merry and took off his hood and hung it on a spear and bad him win the worship thereof who should make most mirth at Christmas tide and I shall try by my faith to fool it with the best by the help of my friends ere I lose my raiment.

Thus with gay words the Lord made trial to gladden Gawain with jests that night till it was time to bid them light the tapers and so Gawain took leave of them and got him to rest.

In the morn when all men call to mind how Christ our Lord was born on earth to die for us there was joy for his sake in all dwellings of the world and so was there here on that day for high feast was held with many dainties and cunningly cooked messes.

On the dais sat gallant men clad in their best the ancient dame sat on the high seat with the Lord of the castle beside her.

Gawain and the fair lady sat together even in the midst of the board when the feast was served and throughout all the hall each sat in his degree and was served in order.

There was meat there was mirth there was much joy so that to tell thereof would take me too long though per adventure I might strive to declare it.

But Gawain and that fair lady had much joy of each other's company through her sweet words and courteous converse and there was music made before each prince trumpets and drums and merry piping each man hearkened his minstrel and they too hearkened theirs so they held high feast that day and the next and the third day thereafter and the joy on St John's day was fair to hearken for it was the last of the feast and the guests would depart in the grey of the morning therefore they awoke early and drank wine and danced fair carols and at last when it was late each man took his leave to wend early on his way.

Gawain would bid his host farewell but the lord took him by the hand and led him to his own chamber beside the hearth and there he thanked him for the favour he had shown him in honouring his dwelling at that high season and gladdening his castle with his fair countenance.

I wish sir that while I live I shall beheld the worthier that Gawain has been my guest at God's own feast.

Gra mercy sir,

Quoth Gawain,

In good faith all the honour is yours may the high king give it ye and I am but at your will to work your behest in as much as I am beholden to ye in great and small by rights.

And then the lord did his best to persuade the knight to tarry with him but Gawain answered that he might in no wise do so.

Then the host asked him courteously what stern behest had driven him at the holy season from the king's court to fare all alone ere yet the feast was ended.

Forsooth,

Quote the knight,

Ye say but the truth.

Tis a high quest and a pressing that hath brought me afield for I am summoned myself to a certain place and I know not whither in the world I may when to find it,

So help me Christ,

I would give all the kingdom of Logres and I might find it by New Year's morn.

Therefore sir I make request of ye that ye tell me truly if ye ever heard word of the green chapel where it may be found and the green knight that keeps it.

For I am pledged by solemn compacts sworn between us to meet that night at the new year if so I were on life and of that same new year at once but little in faith I would look on that hero more joyfully than on any other fair sight.

Therefore by your will it behoves me to leave ye for I have but barely three days and I would as fain fall dead as fail of mine errand.

Then the lord quoth laughing now must ye need stay for I will show you your goal the green chapel ere your turn be at an end have ye no fear but ye can take your ease friend in your bed till the fourth day and go forth on the first of the year and come to that place at mid-morn to do as ye will dwell here till new year's day and then rise and set forth and you shall be set in the way it is not two miles hence.

Then was Gawain glad and he laughed gaily now I thank you for this above all else now my quest is achieved I will dwell here at your will and otherwise do as ye shall ask.

Then the lord took him and sat him beside him and bade the ladies be fetched for their greater pleasure though between themselves they had solace the lord for gladness made merry jest even as one who wist not what to do for joy and he cried aloud to the knight ye have promised to do the thing I bid ye will ye hold to this behest here at once yea forsooth said that true knight while I abide in your burg I am bound by your behest ye have travelled from far said the host and since then ye have waked with me ye are not well refreshed by rest and sleep as I know ye shall therefore abide in your chamber and lie at your ease tomorrow at mastide and go meet when ye will with my wife who shall sit with ye and comfort ye with her company till I return and I shall rise early and go forth to the chase and Gawain agreed to all this courteously sir knight quoth the host we will make a covenant whatsoever I win in the wood shall be yours and whatever may fall to your share that shall ye exchange for it let us swear friend to make this exchange however our hat may be for worse or for better I grant you your will quoth Gawain the good if he lists so to do it liketh me well bring hither the wine cup the bargain is made said the lord of that castle they laughed each one and drank of the wine and made merry these lords and ladies as it pleased them then with gay talk and merry jest they arose and stood and spoke softly and kissed courteously and took leave of each other with burning torches and many a serving man was each led to his couch yet ere they got them to bed the old lord oft repeated their covenant for he knew well how to make sport to be continued

Reviews

👍Mandy, you read this well! It would be difficult for me to read this aloud.