The Age of Chivalry

f Norway. Sir Gawain was one of the most famous knights of the Round Table, and is characterized by the romancers as the S

reverence an

peeche as in

with his ol

e come agen o

not amenden

were Agrivain, Gah

AIN'S M

s 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. T

m his various advisers, except the last, and not one was admitted as the true one. "Now yield thee, Arthur," the

y hand, thou

hee hold

leave to spe

ue of m

as I came

a la

oak and a g

in red

WOMEN WOULD H

heir chie

s thou art a

ave paid

rlish baron exclaimed. "Vengeance light on her!

hly lady to-give her one of his young and gallant knights for a husband. He told his grief to Sir Gawain,

w nay, good

er's so

y lady's a

oo foule

ing and his knights rode to the forest, met the loathly lady, and brought her to the court. Sir Gawain stood the scoffs and je

s no joye ne

t hevinesse an

he wed her o

after hid hi

his wife lok

T WAS, contracted; in

RWE is much sorrow

fessed it was on account of three things, her age, her ugliness, and her low degree. The lady, not at all offended, replied with excellent arguments to all his objections. She show

n some young and gallant knight to be her husband. This having been done, one-half of the charm was removed. She was now at liberty to wear her true form for half the time, and she bade him choose whether he would have her fair by day, and ugly by night, or the reverse. Sir Gawain would fain have had her look her best by night, when he alone would see her, and show her repulsive visage

s stayned her

were blac

cherrye swell

her neck

kist that

pon the

as he was a

was never

the "grim baron," for he too had been implicated in it. He ceased to be a churli