It was Christmas time in Camelot and King Arthur was having a party. The entire court was invited—except for the wicked witch Morgan Le Fay—and food and drink flowed freely. But amidst the fun, the gates of the castle were opened.
A towering knight on an emerald steed entered the room leaving the court in silence.
Then, in a deep voice, he suggested a game. The Green Knight declared that he would allow the brave warrior present to attack him with his axe. If they can kill him, they will win his powerful weapon.
However, the knight would be allowed to repay the blow in one year and one day. Arthur and his knights were shocked. No man can escape such a strike.
The Green Knight begins to mock his leader's reluctance, and Arthur stands up to defend his honor. But as soon as he grabbed the axe, another jumped to take his place.
Arthur's Nephew, Sir Gawain, Took The Weapon Instead
And with a swift thrust, he beheaded the grinning knight. But the moment her skull hit the ground, she started laughing.
The Green Knight gathered his head and mounted his horse. As he rides off, his severed head reminds Gawain of their pact and tells him to look for the Greenchapel a year later.
In the months that followed, Gwen tried to forget the strange vision. But despite the strangeness of the knight's game, he was determined to act honorably.
When the next winter approaches, he sets off - encountering bad weather and beasts on his quest to find the mysterious Green Chapel. Finally, on Christmas Eve, he saw a shining castle on the horizon.
The lord and lady of the castle were only too glad to assist such a distinguished visitor, and told him that Greenchapel was only a short distance away.
He urged Gawain to rest at his home until his meeting with the Green Knight. Delighted at the news, Gawain gladly accepted their offer. However, in return for their hospitality, the master made a strange request.
For the next three days, he would go hunting every night and share his spoils. In return, Gawain must give away whatever he gains during his day at the castle.
At First, Gawain Was Confused By These Strange Terms
But the Lord's meaning became abundantly clear the next day, when his wife tried to seduce Gwen.
In order to rebuff the lady's advances without offending her honor, Gawain allows a kiss—which she gives to her husband in exchange for a slain loved one.
The next day, Gwen allows two kisses, which she gives to the Lord for a dead boar. But on the third day, the woman offered more than just three kisses.
He offers a magical sash that will protect Gwen from the Green Knight's blade.
Gawain Immediately Accepts
but that evening, when the lord returns, the knight gives only three kisses, making no mention of his magical gift.
The next morning, Gawain rides to the Green Chapel - a simple mound of earth where the Green Knight ominously sharpened an ax. With the sash protected, Gawain approaches, determined to honor his agreement.
He ducked his head for the fatal blow, and with one great swing, the Green Knight snapped Gwen's neck—giving nothing more than a flesh wound. Again, Gwen was taken aback.
Why didn't Sesh protect him?
And why didn't the knight kill him?
Bursting Into Laughter
the Green Knight reveals himself to be the lord of the castle, and working with Morgan le Fay to test the honor and bravery of Arthur's knights.
He was impressed by Gawain's behavior, and planned to save his neck entirely—as long as Gawain hid the sash. Filled with shame, Gwen returns to Camelot.
But surprisingly, his colleagues exonerated him and celebrated his bravery. Struggling to make sense of this strange journey, Gwen feels as though the whole world may be playing a game—with rules wilder and more surprising than any man can fathom.
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