By Mary Anne Yarde
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Gustave
Doré's illustration of Camelot from Idylls of the King 1867 ~ Wikipedia
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In
Part 1 of Christmas at Camelot I took a look at the food that you may well have
found on an early medieval table, but today I want to look at what they did for
entertainment in those long winter nights.
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!
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| Tom 1068 ~ No attribution required ~ Pixabay |
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
of heard of, and that is...
Gawain and
the Green Knight.
by The
Pearl Poet
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| Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (from original manuscript, artist unknown) ~ Wikipedia |
If
you 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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.
War is coming to Saxon Briton…
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