Chapter 5

CHAPTER V.
SIR GAWAIN. SIR GAWAIN was nephew to King Arthur, by his sister Morgana, married
to Lot, king of Orkney, who was by Arthur made king of Norway. Sir
Gawain was one of the most famous knights of the Round Table, and is
characterized by the romancers as the sage and courteous Gawain. To
this Chaucer alludes in his "Squiere's Tale," which the strange knight
"saluteth" all the court- "With so high reverence and observance,
As well in speeche as in countenance,
That Gawain, with his olde curtesie,
Though he were come agen out of faerie,
Ne coude him not amenden with a word." Gawain's brothers were Agravain, Gaharet, and Gareth. SIR GAWAIN'S MARRIAGE. Once upon a time King Arthur held his court in merry Carlisle,
when a damsel came before him and craved a boon. It was for
vengeance upon a caitiff knight, who had made her lover captive and
despoiled her of her lands. King Arthur commanded to bring him his
sword, Excalibar, and to saddle his steed, and rode forth without
delay to right the lady's wrong. Ere long he reached the castle of the
grim baron, and challenged him to the conflict. But the castle stood
on magic ground, and the spell was such that no knight could tread
thereon but straight his courage fell and his strength decayed. King
Arthur felt the charm, and before a blow was struck his sturdy limbs
lost their strength, and his head grew faint. He was fain to yield
himself prisoner to the churlish knight, who refused to release him
except upon condition that he should return at the end of a year,
and bring a true answer to the question, "What thing is it which women
most desire?" or in default thereof surrender himself and his lands.
King Arthur accepted the terms, and gave his oath to return at the
time appointed. During the year the king rode east, and he rode
west, and inquired of all whom he met what thing it is which all women
most desire. Some told him riches; some pomp and state; some mirth;
some flattery; and some a gallant knight. But in the diversity of
answers he could find no sure dependence. The year was well nigh spent
when, one day, as he rode thoughtfully through a forest, he saw
sitting beneath a tree a lady of such hideous aspect that he turned
away his eyes, and when she greeted him in seemly sort made no answer.
"What wight art thou," the lady said, "that will not speak to me? It
may chance that I may resolve thy doubts, though I be not fair of
aspect." "If thou wilt do so," said King Arthur, "choose what reward
thou wilt, thou grim lady, and it shall be given thee." "Swear me this
upon thy faith," she said, and Arthur swore it. Then the lady told him
the secret, and demanded her reward, which was that the king should
find some fair and courtly knight to be her husband.