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Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00066

Long ago, in the grand castle of Camelot, King Arthur and his brave knights gathered for a Christmas feast. Snow fell gently outside, but inside the hall was warm with the glow of torches and the sounds of laughter, music, and the clinking of golden goblets. Queen Guinevere sat at the high table, her smile as bright as the morning sun.

Around the Round Table sat the bravest knights in the land — Sir Lancelot, Sir Percival, and Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s own nephew. They ate roast meats, warm bread, and sweet fruit pies while minstrels played merry songs.

But King Arthur had one rule. Every year, before the feast could begin, there had to be an adventure.

“I will not eat,” declared Arthur with a grin, “until I see something truly wondrous or hear a tale of great courage!” His knights laughed and cheered, for they loved adventure as much as their king.

But suddenly — BANG! The great doors of the hall flew open with a deafening crash.

The music stopped. The knights froze. All eyes turned to the doorway. There, riding a mighty green horse, was a man unlike any they had ever seen. He was a giant of a man, taller than anyone in the hall. His skin, his hair, his armor — even his horse — were as green as the grass in summer. His eyes gleamed like emeralds, and he carried a large axe in one hand and a holly branch in the other.

The knights stared, too stunned to speak. “Where is the master of this house?” boomed the Green Knight. His voice echoed like thunder. King Arthur stood tall. “I am the master of this hall. Tell me your name and your purpose here, stranger.”

The Green Knight's grin was wide and wild. “I come in peace,” he said, holding up the holly branch. “I seek not battle but a challenge. I have heard of the courage of the knights of the Round Table, but I see only silence.” He looked around, his green eyes sharp. “Are you as brave as people say? Or are you just tales told to children?”

The knights bristled, but none spoke. The Green Knight raised his axe high. “Here is my challenge! I offer one of you a chance to strike me with this axe. Strike me as hard as you can. But in return, one year from now, I shall return the blow. On New Year’s Day, I will find you and give you the same strike you give me. One blow for one blow. Who will take up my challenge?”

At first, no one moved. The knights sat still as statues, eyes wide with surprise. The Green Knight laughed. “Is this the famous courage of Camelot? Not one of you is brave enough to take a swing at me?” King Arthur’s face grew red with anger. “I will take your challenge myself!” He grabbed the axe, but before he could step forward, a voice called out.

“Wait, Uncle!” It was Sir Gawain, Arthur’s nephew. He stood, his golden hair shining in the firelight. “This is a task for a knight, not a king. I will face him.” Arthur looked at Gawain and saw the courage in his eyes. With a nod, he handed the axe to his nephew. The Green Knight chuckled. “Well said, Sir Gawain. Take the axe, strike me down, and in a year’s time, I shall return the blow.”

Sir Gawain gripped the axe with both hands. He raised it high above his head and, with a mighty swing, WHACK! — he cut off the Green Knight’s head in one clean stroke! The head rolled across the stone floor, stopping at the feet of the knights. But then something strange happened. The Green Knight did not fall.

His body bent down, picked up the head, and held it high. The eyes of the head blinked. Its mouth moved, and it spoke:

“Sir Gawain,” it said with a smile, “remember your promise. Seek me at the Green Chapel in one year’s time. Fail to come, and you will be known as a coward.” Then, with his head in his hands, the Green Knight mounted his horse and rode out of the hall, leaving behind only the sound of his horse’s hooves and the flicker of torches.

The year passed quickly. Summer turned to autumn, and soon the snow of winter returned. On the first day of November, Sir Gawain donned his shining armor, mounted his loyal horse, and said farewell to King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and the knights of the Round Table.

“Be strong, Sir Gawain!” called Arthur. “May your courage never fail you.”

“Take care, brave knight!” said Queen Guinevere with a gentle smile.

Alone, Gawain rode through wild woods and frozen mountains. He fought off fierce wolves, prowling bears, and even a wild boar. But his greatest enemy was the cold. Snow piled up on the ground, and sharp winds howled through the trees. Gawain's armor froze, and his fingers grew numb. Each night, he prayed for shelter and warmth.

Finally, on Christmas Eve, Gawain saw a castle in the distance. It was tall and grand, with golden towers and warm lights glowing from every window. The lord of the castle greeted him with open arms.

“Welcome, noble knight!” said the lord. “Stay with us until New Year, and I will guide you to the Green Chapel.”

The lord made Gawain an offer. “Each day, I will go hunting in the woods. While I am away, you may stay here in the castle. But let us make a game of it. Whatever I catch in the woods, I will give to you. And whatever you win in the castle, you must give to me.” Gawain agreed.

On the first morning, the lord went hunting for deer. While he was away, his wife came to Gawain’s chamber. She smiled sweetly and whispered, “Will you give me a kiss, brave knight?” Gawain, not wishing to offend her, allowed her to kiss him. That night, the lord gave Gawain a deer. In return, Gawain gave him a kiss.

On the second day, the same thing happened. The lord hunted a wild boar, and the lady kissed Gawain twice. That evening, Gawain gave the lord two kisses in exchange for the boar.

On the third day, the lady gave Gawain three kisses and offered him a green sash. “This sash is magical,” she whispered. “No harm can come to the one who wears it.” Gawain accepted the gift, but this time, he did not tell the lord.

On New Year’s Day, the lord led Gawain to the Green Chapel. It was a dark, hollow hill covered with vines and snow. Inside, the sound of metal on stone echoed loudly. The Green Knight stood, sharpening his axe on a great grindstone.

“Welcome, Sir Gawain,” said the Green Knight, grinning. “I have been waiting for you. Are you ready to receive the blow you gave me?”

“I am ready,” said Gawain. He knelt, baring his neck. The Green Knight raised his axe. SWISH! Gawain flinched. “Ha!” laughed the Green Knight. “Did you flinch, brave knight? I expected more courage.”

Gawain gritted his teeth. “I will not move again.” The Green Knight raised his axe a second time. SWISH! He stopped, once more teasing the knight.

“Stop playing games!” shouted Gawain. “Strike your blow!” The Green Knight swung the axe a third time. This time, it nicked Gawain’s neck, and a single drop of blood fell onto the snow. Gawain leapt up, sword in hand. “No more! We agreed on one blow, and you have struck it.”

The Green Knight smiled. “Calm yourself, Sir Gawain. I only cut you because you kept the green sash a secret. I am also the lord of the castle, and my wife tested your honor. You were brave, Gawain, and you have proven yourself true, even in your mistake.”

Gawain blushed with shame. “I failed.”

“Not so,” said the Green Knight. “Take the sash as a reminder of your courage and humility.”

And so, Sir Gawain returned to Camelot, wearing the green sash as a symbol of honor, courage, and humility. From that day on, every knight of the Round Table wore a green sash, so none would forget the lessons of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Original Source: “Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight an Alliterative Romance-Poem (C. 1360 A.D.).” Gutenberg.org, 2021, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/14568/pg14568-images.html.