Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Have you heard the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
The tale begins with King Arthur, who is holding court in Camelot at Christmas. A gigantic figure, entirely green in appearance and riding a green horse, enters unexpectedly into the hall. This Green Knight then offers a very unusual challenge to King Arthur's court. He declares anyone can behead him, just so long as he who beheads him will take a return blow in a year's time. Sir Gawain bravely accepts, approaches the Green Knight, and neatly beheads the him in one stroke. The Green Knight picks up his severed head, and the head reiterates the terms of their agreement - Gawain must meet the Green Knight at the Green Chapel in a year and one day.
Almost a year later, Gawain sets out to find the Green Chapel. On his journey, a directionless Gawain comes across a splendid castle where the Lord and Lady welcome him in to rest. The Lord of the Castle then offers him another contest: he will go hunting every day and he will give Gawain whatever he catches, on the condition that Gawain give him whatever he may gain during the day - Gawain accepts. What follows are three days of trials and temptation for Gawain, as he resists the Lady's increasingly explicit advances. The first two days she gives him a kiss, which Gawain gives to the Lord without divulging it's source in return for a deer and a hunted boar. On the third day, the Lady gives Gawain her sash, a girdle of green and gold silk. She assures him it is charmed and will protect him. Under the impression he is to face a certain death the following day, Gawain accepts the sash. The Lady and Gawain then exchange 3 kisses, which he bestows upon the Lord that night - keeping the sash hidden.
The following day, sash tied round his waist, Gawain sets out for the Green Chapel to complete his end of the deal with the Green Knight. Upon his arrival, he sees the Green Knight sharpening his axe. Slowly, Gawain bows his neck to receive the blow. The Green Knight raises his axe, and the force of the swing causes Gawain to flinch. The Green Knight mocks this, and determined to remain valiant, Gawain does not flinch as the Green Knight goes for the second swing. Not yet beheaded, Gawain notices the Green Knight is withholding the full force of his strength. The Green Knight explains he was simply testing Gawain’s nerve, and proceeds to deliver his blow, which causes a slight nick on the back of Gawain’s neck and ends the challenge. The Green Knight starts laughing, and reveals himself to be Bertilak de Hautdesert, the Lord of the Castle where Gawain rested. He explains to Gawain the first two swings were to acknowledge the days where Gawain upheld his side of the pact, however the third left a nick because of his attempt to conceal the sash.
The two part on cordial terms, and Gawain returns to Camelot wearing the sash as symbol of his failure to keep his promise. The Knights of the Round Table absolve him of any blame, and decide they will each wear a green sash as a reminder to be honest and a reminder of Gawain’s great adventure.