Sir Gawaine

Preface of William Caxton

Mentioned as having his skull preserved at Dover Castle as evidence of Arthurian knights.

How Eleven Kings Gathered a Great Host Against King Arthur

Mentioned as the son of King Lot, who is among the eleven kings opposing Arthur.

How King Arthur Rode to Carlion, and of His Dream, and How He Saw the Questing Beast

One of the four sons of King Lot's wife who accompany her to Arthur's court.

Book II

Participates in various adventures in Book II.

Of the interment of twelve kings, and of the prophecy of Merlin, and how Balin should give the dolorous stroke

Attends the interment with his mother Margawse and his brothers Agravaine, Gaheris, and Gareth.

XIII

Mentioned in the golden letters found on the tomb, foretelling that he will avenge his father King Lot's death on King Pellinore.

The Tomb of Balin and the Prophecy of the Sword

Prophesied to be slain by Launcelot with Balin's sword.

Book III

Accidentally slays a lady, an event that marks his early adventures.

How the Knights of the Round Table were ordained and their sieges blessed by the Bishop of Canterbury

Asks King Arthur to be knighted on the day of Arthur's wedding to Guenever; Arthur grants the boon.

How Sir Tor was known for son of King Pellinore, and how Gawaine was made knight

Made knight by Arthur, but harbors envy and a desire to avenge his father's death by killing Pellinore.

The Wedding of King Arthur and Queen Guenever

Charged with bringing back the white hart.

How Sir Gawaine rode for to fetch again the hart, and how two brethren fought each against other for the hart.

Rides on the quest for the white hart, intervenes in the brothers' quarrel, and slays Sir Allardin.

How the Hart Was Chased Into a Castle and There Slain, and How Sir Gawaine Slew a Lady

Chases the white hart, fights Ablamar, and accidentally slays the lady.

How four knights fought against Gawaine and Gaheris

Wounded in the arm by an archer, reproached for slaying a lady and lacking mercy, later judged by a quest of ladies to be courteous and merciful.

The Quest of the White Hart and the Penance of King Pellinore

Mentioned as the knight who followed the quest of the white hart.

How King Arthur had ado with them and overthrew them, and slew the five kings and made the remnant to flee

Fights alongside Arthur, slays one king, and initially cautions against attacking the five kings.

How the battle was finished or he came, and how King Arthur founded an abbey where the battle was

Recommended by Pellinore as one of the four young knights to join the Round Table.

How the Damosel of the Lake saved King Arthur from mantle that should have burnt him

Chooses to leave the court with his cousin Sir Uwaine after Uwaine is banished.

How Sir Gawaine and Sir Uwaine met with twelve fair damosels, and how they complained on Sir Marhaus

Defends the honor of Sir Marhaus's shield and rebukes the damosels for their spiteful actions.

XVIII

Jousts with Sir Marhaus, is overthrown but fights valiantly on foot; his strength waxes until noon then wanes; reconciles with Sir Marhaus.

XIX

Chooses the youngest and fairest damosel and takes the northward path.

How a Knight and a Dwarf Strove for a Lady

Witnesses the strange behavior of Sir Pelleas and arbitrates a dispute over a lady.

How King Pelleas suffered himself to be taken prisoner because he would have a sight of his lady, and how Sir Gawaine promised him to get to him the love of his lady

King Arthur's nephew and son of King Lot of Orkney; he meets Pelleas and promises to help him win Lady Ettard's love by a deceit.

How Sir Gawaine came to the Lady Ettard, and how Sir Pelleas found them sleeping

Deceives Lady Ettard by claiming to have slain Sir Pelleas, then sleeps with her, breaking his promise to Pelleas.

How Sir Marhaus rode with the damosel, and how he came to the Duke of the South Marches

Mentioned as having slain the Duke's seven sons, prompting the Duke's vow of revenge.

How Sir Marhaus fought with the duke and his four sons and made them to yield them

Met by Sir Marhaus while riding with Sir Uwaine.

How Sir Uwaine fought with two knights and overcame them

Mentioned as one of the knights who had made a promise to meet at the cross-way, but he has lost his damosel.

The Return to Court and the Rise of New Knights

Returns to court after a year of adventure; his damosel speaks little worship of him.

How King Arthur sent Sir Gawaine and other to Lucius, and how they were assailed and escaped with worship

Leads the embassy to Lucius, kills Sir Gainus in anger, fights valiantly, rescues Sir Bors, and is sorely wounded.

VIII

Fights nobly and slays three admirals in the battle.

How Arthur, after he had achieved the battle against the Romans, entered into Almaine, and so into Italy.

Disobeys orders by stealing away from his fellowship to seek adventure; confronts a Tuscan knight.

Sir Gawaine's Battle with Priamus and the Saracen Host

Fights and wounds Priamus, receives a grievous wound, learns of the enemy host, and resolves to stand and fight.

XI

Commands the knights, initially reluctant to aid but later joins the battle and comforts his men.

How Sir Gawaine returned to King Arthur with his prisoners, and how the King won a city, and how he was crowned Emperor

Returns to King Arthur with prisoners, including Sir Priamus, and vouches for Priamus's knighthood.

How Sir Launcelot jousted against four knights of the Round Table and overthrew them

Fourth to encounter Launcelot; his spear breaks and he is unseated, later correctly identifies Launcelot.

How Sir Launcelot came into the Chapel Perilous and gat there of a dead corpse a piece of the cloth and a sword

Mentioned by Hellawes as having previously fought Sir Gilbert the Bastard in the chapel.

How Sir Launcelot came to King Arthur’s Court, and how there were recounted all his noble feats and acts

Among those who recognize Launcelot in Kay's armor and joins in the laughter and acknowledgment.

How Beaumains came to King Arthur's Court and demanded three petitions of King Arthur

Spies the approaching strangers and informs Arthur of the strange adventure.

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine were wroth because Sir Kay mocked Beaumains, and of a damosel which desired a knight to fight for a lady.

Also defends Beaumains, offers him hospitality (unknowingly as a kinsman), and later identifies the Red Knight as a perilous foe.

How Beaumains Desired the Battle and Was Made Knight

Present in the court when Beaumains takes his leave.

How Beaumains Departed and Jousted with Sir Launcelot

Advises Sir Kay to stay at home.

How Beaumains told to Sir Launcelot his name, and how he was dubbed knight of Sir Launcelot, and after overtook the damosel

Mentioned as brother of Sir Gareth; scorns Sir Kay's treatment of Beaumains.

XIII

Revealed as brother to Sir Gareth; mentioned as one the Red Knight seeks to fight.

XIV

Mentioned by the Red Knight as one of the knights he would consider himself good enough for.

How Sir Beaumains Overcame the Red Knight of the Red Launds

Mentioned as another knight the Red Knight sought vengeance against.

How the knight yielded him, and how Beaumains made him to go unto King Arthur's court, and to cry Sir Launcelot mercy

The Red Knight is also sent to ask mercy of Gawaine; Gawaine marvels at Beaumains' prowess.

The Rescue of the Dwarf and the Revelation of Sir Gareth

Mentioned as the brother of Sir Gareth of Orkney.

XXIII

Present at court; Ironside kneels to him for forgiveness.

How the Queen of Orkney came to the feast and rebuked King Arthur and Sir Gawaine for their treatment of Sir Gareth

Rises with his brothers to greet his mother, the Queen of Orkney, and asks her blessing after fifteen years; he admits he did not recognize Sir Gareth.

How King Arthur went to the tournament with his knights, and how the lady received him worshipfully, and how the knights encountered.

Jousts with Sir Palomides; both are unhorsed.

XXIX

Is pulled from his horse by Sir Tristram and later put to the worse by Sir Gareth.

Sir Gareth is Discovered and Escapes the Field

Struck down by Gareth; pursues him but loses him in the forest.

XXXIII

Fights Gareth unknowingly, then recognizes him and reconciles.

How Sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each other to King Arthur, and of the appointment of their wedding.

Mentioned as Sir Gareth's brother, from whom Gareth withdraws due to Gawaine's vengeful and murderous tendencies.

How Sir Tristram was put to the keeping of La Beale Isoud

Defeated by Sir Palomides on the first day of the tournament.

How Sir Tristram Won the Degree at a Tournament in Ireland

Present at the tournament with his nine fellows, marvels at the knight who defeated Palomides.

How Sir Launcelot Rescued Sir Gawaine from Sir Carados, and Sir Tristram Departs for Cornwall

Bound and captured by Sir Carados, then rescued by Sir Launcelot.

How Sir Lamorak slew Sir Frol, and of the courteous fighting with Sir Belliance his brother

Takes a lady from a knight at a well, but is defeated by the knight and later spared by Lamorak due to his kinship with Arthur.

How Sir Tristram jousted with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram from Morgan le Fay

Recognizes the damosel of Morgan le Fay, intervenes to save Tristram from the trap, and condemns the treason.

How Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode to have foughten with the thirty knights, but they durst not come out

Rides with Sir Tristram, challenges Morgan le Fay's knights, and is overthrown by Sir Breuse.

XXXIX

Referenced as Sir Gaheris, who defeats King Mark and Sir Andred, spares them, and later recounts the adventure to Sir Launcelot.

How Sir Tristram Sought a Strong Knight

Met by Tristram in a forest; wounded by the same strong knight.

How Sir Tristram met at the peron with Sir Launcelot, and how they fought together unknown

Meets Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot at Camelot with Sir Gaheris.

How Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram to the court, and of the great joy that the king and other made for the coming of Sir Tristram.

Expresses relief at Tristram's arrival and confirms Launcelot's covered shield.

How King Mark came to a fountain where he found Sir Lamorak complaining for the love of King Lot's wife

Mentioned as son of the Queen of Orkney, whom Lamorak loves.

How King Arthur let do cry a jousts, and how Sir Lamorak came in, and overthrew Sir Gawaine and many other.

Jousts with his brethren and initially wins honor, but is overthrown by Sir Lamorak and later plots revenge against him.

How Sir Lamorak visited King Lot’s wife, and how Sir Gaheris slew her which was his own mother

Wroth that Gaheris let Lamorak escape; part of the feud against Lamorak.

How Sir Tristram met with Sir Dinadan, and of their devices, and what he said to Sir Gawaine's brethren

Mentioned as the brother of Agravaine and Gaheris, and as a knight whose reputation is defended by his brethren.

Of the preparation of Sir Palomides and the two brethren that should fight with him

Identified as one of the four knights who slew Sir Lamorak by treason.

LXVI

Jousts with Sir Palomides and is smitten down, later speculates on the identity of the green knights.

LXVII

Reports to King Arthur that the green knight (Tristram) smote him and others down.

LXVIII

Identifies the green knights as good knights, notes that one of them recently smote him down.

How Sir Launcelot rode on his adventure, and how he holp a dolorous lady from her pain, and how that he fought with a dragon.

Previously attempted to help the lady but could not deliver her.

How Sir Bors came to Dame Elaine and saw Galahad, and how he was fed with the Sangreal

Mentioned as having gained little worship at the Castle Adventurous.

How Dame Elaine, Galahad’s mother, came in great estate unto Camelot, and how Sir Launcelot behaved him there.

Among the knights who greet Elaine at Camelot.

The Quest for Sir Launcelot

Takes up the quest to find Launcelot at the request of King Arthur and Queen Guenever.

The Siege Perilous and the Coming of Galahad

Assays to draw the sword at the king's command but cannot move it.

How the Old Man Brought Galahad to the Siege Perilous

Shown the name of Galahad in the Siege Perilous by King Arthur.

The Tournament at Camelot Before the Quest

Prays Galahad to take a spear.

The Quest of the Holy Grail Begins

Gawaine makes the first avow to quest for the Sangreal for a year and a day, prompting the other knights to follow.

The Departure of the Knights for the Quest of the Holy Grail

Arthur accuses him of betraying the court by instigating the quest, though Gawaine remains resolute in his vow.

How Sir Galahad Fought with the Knights of the Castle, and Destroyed the Wicked Custom

Mentioned as one of the knights who later slew the seven brethren after Galahad's victory.

How Sir Gawaine came to the abbey for to follow Galahad, and how he was shriven to a hermit

Seeks Galahad but is told he is too sinful to join him; slays one of the seven brethren; refuses penance from the hermit.

Book XIV

Appears as a companion or fellow knight in the narrative.

How Sir Launcelot told his advision to a woman, and how she expounded it to him

The narrative announces it will now speak of Sir Gawaine in the sixteenth book.

How Sir Gawaine was nigh weary of the quest of the Sangreal, and of his marvellous dream

Weary of the Grail quest, rides long without adventure, meets Sir Ector, and has a prophetic dream about bulls.

Of the advision of Sir Ector, and how he jousted with Sir Uwaine les Avoutres, his sworn brother

Gawaine awakens from a vision, jousts with and mortally wounds a knight, later revealed to be his sworn brother Sir Uwaine les Avoutres.

How Sir Gawaine and Sir Ector came to an hermitage to be confessed, and how they told to the hermit their advisions.

Grieves over the death of Sir Uwaine and seeks confession from the hermit Nacien, recounting his vision.

The Hermit's Counsel

Receives harsh counsel from the hermit, who calls him an untrue knight and a murderer.

How Sir Galahad Fought at a Tournament

Fights on the side of the knights without the castle; is struck down by Galahad and declares his quest done after receiving a great buffet.

How Sir Launcelot returned towards Logris, and of other adventures which he saw in the way.

Revealed as the slayer of King Bagdemagus, whose tomb Launcelot discovers.

The Poisoned Apple

The intended target of the poisoning due to his love of fruit; he suspects the queen may be shamed.

How the truth was known by the Maiden of the Lake, and of divers other matters

The intended victim of Sir Pinel's poisoned apples because of his role in the destruction of Sir Lamorak de Galis.

The Tourney at Winchester

Kept by King Arthur from jousting, as he often loses when Launcelot is in the field.

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine entered in the field against them of King Arthur’s court, and how Launcelot was hurt

Observes the unknown knight's deeds and suspects it is Launcelot, but notes the red sleeve token is unusual for him.

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavaine Departed Out of the Field, and in What Jeopardy Launcelot Was

Expresses marvel at the knight with the red sleeve and speaks to King Arthur about him.

XIII

Lodges at Astolat, speaks with Sir Bernard and his daughter Elaine about the tournament, and seeks the unknown knight with the red sleeve.

How Sir Gawaine was lodged with the lord of Astolat, and there had knowledge that it was Sir Launcelot that bare the red sleeve

Lodges with the lord of Astolat, identifies Launcelot's shield, and informs the court.

XV

Mentioned as having revealed Launcelot's identity by his shield and reported the love between Launcelot and Elaine to the queen.

How Sir Bors sought Launcelot and found him in the hermitage, and of the lamentation between them

Mentioned as having revealed Launcelot's identity through the shield left with the Fair Maiden of Astolat.

How Sir Bors returned and told tidings of Sir Launcelot; and of the tourney, and to whom the prize was given

Begins the tournament, smites down twenty knights, shares the prize with Sir Bors.

How Sir Launcelot behaved him at the jousts, and other men also

Encountered and smitten down by Sir Launcelot; later part of King Arthur's nine knights set against Launcelot.

How King Arthur marvelled much of the jousting in the field, and how he rode and found Sir Launcelot

Recognizes Sir Launcelot by his riding and strokes, and advises the king to cease fighting.

How King Arthur Handled Sir Urre

Attempts to heal Sir Urre along with his three sons, but fails.

Book XX

Grieves the deaths of his brothers Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris, killed by Launcelot during the rescue, and becomes a driving force for vengeance against Launcelot.

I

Opposes his brothers' plan, reminding them of Launcelot's past rescues and warning of the consequences.

How Sir Mordred rode hastily to the king, to tell him of the affray and death of Sir Agravaine and the other knights

Pleads for mercy and delay, arguing the queen may be innocent and that Launcelot has saved her before; refuses to avenge his slain brother and sons.

How Sir Launcelot and his kinsmen rescued the queen from the fire, and how he slew many knights

Refuses to witness the queen's death and weeps at the event.

Of the sorrow and lamentation of King Arthur for the death of his nephews and other good knights, and also for the queen, his wife.

Is told of his brothers' deaths; initially refuses to believe Launcelot slew Sir Gareth, acknowledging Launcelot's knightly rescue of the queen.

The Siege of Joyous Gard

Overcome with grief and rage after learning of his brothers' deaths; vows to pursue Launcelot until one of them is slain.

Of the communication between King Arthur and Sir Launcelot, and how King Arthur reproved him.

Fiercely accuses Launcelot of slaying his brother Sir Gareth and vows to make war against him for life.

How the cousins and kinsmen of Sir Launcelot excited him to go out to battle, and how they made them ready.

Rebukes Launcelot for Sir Lamorak's death and vows never to leave him until he has him at avail; prevents Arthur from according with Launcelot.

XIII

Jousts fiercely, smites Sir Lionel through the body, and later is wounded, reducing the aggression of Arthur's party.

XIV

Opposes the king's accord with Launcelot but consents to the queen's return.

Of the deliverance of the queen to the king by Sir Launcelot, and what language Sir Gawaine had to Sir Launcelot.

Accuses Launcelot of being called traitor and recreant; Launcelot reminds him of past rescues.

XVI

Refuses Launcelot's offer of peace, vowing never to forgive the deaths of his brothers.

XVII

Hostile toward Launcelot, urges him to leave quickly and threatens war.

How King Arthur and Sir Gawaine made a great host ready to go over sea to make war on Sir Launcelot

Drives the war against Launcelot, refuses the peace offer, and persuades Arthur to continue the campaign.

The Siege of Benwick: Sir Gawaine's Challenge

Refuses peace and daily challenges Sir Launcelot, accusing him of treason and the death of his brethren.

How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine did battle together, and how Sir Gawaine was overthrown and hurt

Fights Sir Launcelot, his strength increases until noon due to a holy gift, but he is defeated and injured after his power fades.

XXII

Recovers from his wound and challenges Launcelot again, but is defeated and falls from his horse.

How after that King Arthur had tidings, he returned and came to Dover, where Sir Mordred met him to let his landing; and of the death of Sir Gawaine.

Found mortally wounded from the old wound given by Launcelot; writes a letter of repentance and dies at noon.

III

Appears as a ghost to King Arthur, warning him of his death if he fights Mordred.

How King Arthur commanded to cast his sword Excalibur into the water, and how he was delivered to ladies in a barge

Arthur recalls that Gawaine warned him in a dream about his death.

How Sir Lancelot Heard of the Death of King Arthur and of Sir Gawaine

Mentioned as deceased; Launcelot prays at his tomb.