Gawain, Sir definition of Gawain, Sir in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Gawain, Sir (gä`wān, –wĭn), one of the most popular heroes of Arthurian legend Arthurian legend, the mass of legend, popular in medieval lore, concerning King Arthur of Britain and his knights.

Medieval Sources

The battle of Mt. Badon—in which, according to the Annales Cambriae (c.
..... Click the link for more information. ; nephew of King Arthur. He was regarded, particularly in the early romances, as the model of chivalry—pure, brave, and courteous. In later romances, when spiritual purity was valued more than chivalrous deeds, his character deteriorated, becoming treacherous and brutal. Gawain is most famous as the hero of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (see Pearl, The Pearl, The, one of four Middle English alliterative poems, all contained in a manuscript of c.1400, composed in the West Midland dialect, almost certainly by the same anonymous author, who flourished c.1370–1390.
..... Click the link for more information. ).

Gawain, Sir

remained chaste despite the temptations offered him each night by his hostess. [Br. Lit.: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Benét, 934]

See : Chastity

Gawain, Sir

challenged by the Green Knight, Gawain cuts off his head. [Br. Lit.: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Benét, 934]

See : Decapitation