# Lady Bertilak — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight character guide

> Lady Bertilak in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0004-fit-ii

## Who they are

The lord's beautiful wife, whose courteous attentions in the private chamber press Gawain's chivalry and chastity to their limits.

## Relationships

### [Sir Gawain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/sir_gawain)

_psychological_

Lady Bertilak seductively tests Gawain's chastity and courtesy as part of her husband's scheme, creating a tense game of temptation.

### [The Green Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/the_green_knight)

_psychological_

Lady Bertilak acts as an agent of the Green Knight (her husband), using her charm to test Gawain's integrity as part of the larger magical game.

### [Bertilak de Hautdesert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/bertilak_de_hautdesert)

_family_

Bertilak and Lady Bertilak are husband and wife, working together in the plot to test Sir Gawain's knightly virtues.

### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/king_arthur)

_social_

Arthur interacts with Lady Bertilak as a guest at his court and later as the wife of his vassal Bertilak.

### [Sir Gawain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/sir_gawain)

_psychological_

Lady Bertilak seductively tests Gawain's chastity and courtesy as part of her husband's scheme, creating a tense game of temptation.

### [Bertilak de Hautdesert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/bertilak_de_hautdesert)

_family_

Bertilak and Lady Bertilak are husband and wife, working together in the plot to test Sir Gawain's knightly virtues.

### [Sir Gawain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/sir_gawain)

_psychological_

Lady Bertilak seductively tests Gawain's chastity and courtesy as part of her husband's scheme, creating a tense game of temptation.

## In the story

### [Fit II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/chapters/fit-ii)

Mentioned as part of the company; she will sit with Gawain while Bertilak hunts.

### [Fit III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/chapters/fit-iii)

Continues to tempt Gawain, offering a ring and then the green girdle, which he accepts.

### [Fit IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/chapters/fit-iv)

Mentioned as the one who tempted Gawain and gave him the girdle, acting under her husband's direction.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in notes about her role in the temptations and the exchange of winnings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters/lady_bertilak
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_gawain_and_the_green_knight_se/characters