Christmas in
Camelot — Gawain and the Green Knight
By Mary Anne
Yarde
 |
| Gustave Doré's illustration of Camelot from Idylls of the King 1867 ~ Wikipedia |
In the 14th Century, a poet — whose name has been lost
over time, but is now referred to as The Pearl Poet — wrote an epic Arthurian
poem. This is how The Pearl Poet described Christmas at Camelot.
“…then they brought the first course,
with the blast of trumpets and the waving of banners, with the sound of drums
and pipes, so that many a heart was uplifted at the melody. Costly and most
delicious foods were carried in. Many were the dainties, delicacies and fresh
meats, so great was the plenty they might scarce find room on the board and
table-cloth to set all the silver dishes. Each helped himself as he liked best,
and for each of two guests were twelve dishes served, with a great plenty of
beer and bright wine…”
According to The Pearl Poet, Arthur knew how to throw
a party! One would expect a feast at the Midwinter/ New Year celebrations, but
perhaps not on such a grand scale.
There would have been music and entertainment at such
a feast. I should imagine there were jugglers and those with what we would call
Circus Skills!
Bards
would tell wonderful stories to entertain the guests — perhaps they told
stories of Arthur and his Knights — and as the evening wore on, old men would
become philosophical, as they contemplated mortality.
But
there is one story about a Christmas feast that every Arthurian enthusiasts
will know, and this story is:
Gawain and the Green Knight
By The Pearl Poet
 |
| Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (from original manuscript, artist unknown) ~ Wikipedia |
If you are not familiar with the story, then
read on for a very abridged version with a little of my own poetic licence
thrown into the mix!
New
Year's Day, Camelot
The Knights of Camelot were celebrating
the New Year in Arthur's Great Hall. Food was a plenty, and the mead was freely
flowing. Friends and family gathered around the fire pit to listen as a bard
wove the most fantastical tale.
Sir Gawain was content to sit and listen
to the bard. There was nothing that needed his attention. This was a time to
relax and rejoice. The New Year promised to be a good one. The Kingdom was at
peace, for the most part, and everything was as it should be.
But this tranquillity was soon quashed
when someone pounded against the great oak door of the Hall. The door rattled
on its hinges. The bard fell silent, as did everyone else. All eyes turned
towards the door and everyone held their breath.
The door opened and there, on a horse
the colour of spring grass, was a giant of a man. The giant's skin, like that
of his horse, was an unnatural shade of green. Without a by-or-leave, the giant
rode his horse into the Hall and dismounted. In his hand was a monster of an
axe. This Green Knight narrowed his eyes and looked around him with a
contemptuous sneer.
"Is this Arthur's court?" the
giant asked, his voice was so loud that some of the women shrieked. "Are
these his Knights?"
"It is," Arthur said, rising
to his feet. "They are. What can we do for you?"
The Green Knight smiled, showing a
perfect set of green teeth. "Your knights are the bravest in the
land, or so I am told, and the most chivalrous. Well, we will see about that. I
wonder if there is any knight amongst you that would be brave enough to accept
a challenge from me."
All the Knights looked to Arthur… But
one.
"I will accept your
challenge," Sir Gawain said, rising from his seat.
"Gawain, no,” Arthur ordered under
his breath.
"Brave boy," the Green Knight
snarled. "Or a foolish one. Take my axe, Sir Knight, and chop off my
head."
"Why? Do you not like life?"
Gawain asked, taking the axe from the Green Knight. The axe was so heavy that
Gawain had a job to lift it.
"I do not fear for my life, but
perhaps you should fear for yours."
A block was brought forth, and the Green
Knight knelt.
"Aim true," he stated.
Shaking his head, Gawain lifted the axe
and then with a sickening thud, he took the head from the Green Knight’s
shoulders.
The silence that followed was deafening.
But then something strange happened. The Green Knight’s headless body stood,
and his hands reached for his severed head.
"Meet me at the Chapel Green this
time next year, so that I can return the favour," the decapitated head
said, and then he left.
Gawain watched as the door closed behind
the Green Knight. He turned to face his King with a look of horror.What had
he done? There was no way he could survive such a strike.
The year that passed was uneventful, but
each day Gawain knew he was a step closer to his death. As the leaves turned
from green to brown and the first snow began to fall. Gawain tacked up his
horse and, with a heavy heart, he set out for the Chapel Green.
 |
| God's Speed by Edmund Blair Leighton 1900 ~ Wikipeida |
After many weeks of traveling he
happened upon a castle, and there he was greeted by Bertilak de Hautdesert and
his beautiful wife. Berilak asked Gawain why he was here and Gawain told him
only that he had promised to meet someone at the Chapel Green on New Year's
Day. Bertilak assured him that the Chapel was just two miles away. Bertilak
then, very kindly, invited him to stay with them. Gawain thanked Bertilak and
took him up on his generous offer.
The next day Bertilak went hunting. But
before he departed he told Gawain that he was more than welcome to stay as long
as whatever he might gain during the day, he gave back.
Gawain frowned at such a riddle, but
later in the day, all became clear. Bertilak's beautiful wife began
to tease him. Gawain had never met anyone like her. She was intoxicating. So
very beautiful. Gawain found himself clenching his fists to stop himself from
reaching for her. One kiss, he finally allowed, when he could not take it
anymore. Just one kiss. I will take nothing more, for Bertilak is my
host.
 |
| Lady Bertilak at Gawain's bed ~ from original manuscript, artist unknown ~ Wikipedia |
When Bertilak came back cold and muddy
from his hunt, he asked Gawain if he had gained anything this day and if so, he
must remember to give it back. So Gawain kissed his host. Sir Bertilak looked
confused by the kiss, but he did not comment upon it.
The next day, Bertilak went hunting
again. And once again Bertilak's wife began to tease. This time, Gawain allowed
two kisses and just like the night before, when Bertilak returns he gave back
what he had gained.
On the third day, like the previous
days, Bertilak went hunting. This time Bertilak's wife gave Gawain a girdle of
green and gold silk. She told him that if he wears it, he would stay safe from
harm. They then shared three kisses. That evening he gives Bertilak the three
kisses, but keeps the girdle for himself.
 |
| The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse,1880 ~ note the girdle around her waist ~ Wikipedia |
The following day Gawain, with a
pounding heart and the girdle wrapped around his waist, set out to meet the
Green Knight. He found the giant sharpening his blade outside of the Chapel.
"So you have come?" The Green
Knight stated with a look of surprise.
"I accepted the challenge,"
Gawain stated with a bravery he was not feeling.
"The kneel and place your neck upon
the blog, young Knight of Camelot."
Gawain closed his eyes briefly and
prayed to God for courage. He knelt and bared his neck. The Green Knight raised
his axe. And despite himself, Gawain flinched in fear.
"I should have known," The
Green Knight jeered. "You are a coward, and you bring shame to your
King."
"Swing again," Gawain growled,
"And I will not flinch."
The Green Knight raised his axe and
feigned a strike.
"Be done with it," Gawain
ordered. "Do not tease."
"I was merely testing
your resolve," the Green Knight stated.
The Green Knights raised his axe again,
and Gawain closed his eyes. The blade cut through the air, but instead of
taking his head it only scratched his skin, although it drew blood.
"That was for the lie you told me,
for you are wearing my wife's girdle. Rise, Sir Knight," the Giant stated.
"The challenge is over."
With unsteady legs, Gawain rose to his
feet and turned to look at the Giant, but the Giant was not there. In his place
was his kind host, Bertilak.
"What is this?" Gawain asked,
thoroughly confused.
"A test, young knight, from
Arthur's sister. She thought you would fail. I am pleased to say you passed,
for you are indeed chivalrous, brave, and for the most part... Honest."
Sir Gawain and Sir Bertilak parted on
good terms. When Gawain finally made it home from Camelot, he was greeted with
a hero's welcome. And from that day on
the Knights of Camelot wore a green sash around their waist
in recognition of Gawain's quest and a reminded to always be honest.
Copyright © 2017 Mary Anne Yarde
First Published on Our Author Gang (December 2017)
 |
| The Vigil by John Pettie, 1888 ~ Gawain represented the perfect knight, as a fighter, a lover, and a religious devotee ~ Wikipedia |
It beats a game of Cluedo and Guess Who? I suppose. Although, I think I will celebrate Christmas and see in the New Year with a couple of board games and a verse of Auld Lang Syne.
The Du Lac Prophecy
(Book 4 of The Du Lac Chronicles)
Two Prophesies. Two Noble Households. One Throne.
Distrust and greed threaten to destroy the House of du Lac. Mordred Pendragon strengthens his hold on Brittany and the surrounding kingdoms while Alan, Mordred’s cousin, embarks on a desperate quest to find Arthur’s lost knights. Without the knights and the relics they hold in trust, they cannot defeat Arthur’s only son – but finding the knights is only half of the battle. Convincing them to fight on the side of the Du Lac’s, their sworn enemy, will not be easy.
If Alden, King of Cerniw, cannot bring unity there will be no need for Arthur’s knights. With Budic threatening to invade Alden’s Kingdom, Merton putting love before duty, and Garren disappearing to goodness knows where, what hope does Alden have? If Alden cannot get his House in order, Mordred will destroy them all.
Mary Anne Yarde is the multi award-winning author of the International Bestselling series — The Du Lac Chronicles.
Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were a part of her childhood.
Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were a part of her childhood.
Mary Anne loves to hear from readers, you can find her:
I have to be honest and confess that I didn't know this story.(Where have I been all my life...?)I was wondering how Gawain would avoid "getting the chop"! A thoroughly enjoyable read, Mary Anne.
ReplyDelete'Costly and most delicious...beer and bright wine.' Sounds wonderful. Super post!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it just!
DeleteMary Anne, it was lovely to revisit Sir Gawain, who is always one of the most interesting knights, I think. I remember reading it in the original Middle English when I was at university - doubt I'd manage that these days. There was actually some wonderful sexual tension in it when the wife is teasing Gawain! Great post.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right. It is a great story.
Delete