# Redcrosse Knight — The Faerie Queene character guide > Redcrosse Knight in The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Redcrosse Knight, Saint George **First appearance:** 0023-canto-i ## Snapshot A rustic young man who takes up Saint Paul's armor to rescue Una's parents from a dragon, and learns holiness the hard way. ## Who they are Redcrosse begins as a clownish farm boy who asks the Faerie Queen for the first adventure offered, and is given the arms of a Christian man instead of a hero's. His companion Una is truth itself, but he is easily separated from her by the enchanter Archimago, whose forged visions turn his own senses against him. His story is the poem's opening argument: that holiness is not a gift but a long, humiliating education in trusting the right voice. ## In the story ### [A Letter to Sir Walter Raleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/a-letter-to-sir-walter-raleigh) The first knight, in whom Spenser expresses Holiness; he undertakes the adventure to rescue Una's parents from a dragon. ### [The Faerie Queene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/the-faerie-queene) The hero of the first book, representing Holiness, who undertakes the quest to slay the dragon. ### [Book I: The Legend of the Knight of the Red Cross, or of Holiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/book-i-the-legend-of-the-knight-of-the-red-cross-or-of-holiness) The protagonist, a gentle knight on a quest from Gloriana, who defeats Error but later falls to Orgoglio and is rescued by Prince Arthur. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-i) The gentle knight on a quest from Gloriana, bearing a blood-red cross on his chest and shield. ### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ii) Deceived by Archimago's false vision, he abandons Una and later travels with Duessa, unaware of her true nature. ### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iii) Mentioned as the object of Una's search; absent from the chapter except as impersonated by Archimago. ### [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iv) Guided by Duessa to the House of Pride; challenged by Sansjoy to avenge Sansfoy's death. ### [Canto V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-v) Defeats Sansjoy in combat, then flees the palace of Pride after learning of its dungeon. ### [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-vi) Mentioned as the knight Una seeks; falsely reported dead by Archimago. ### [Canto VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-vii) Disarmed and weakened by the fountain's enchantment, he is captured by the giant Orgoglio. ### [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-viii) Found imprisoned in a dark dungeon by Arthur, emaciated and weakened after three months of captivity. ### [Canto IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-ix) Nearly driven to suicide by Despair's rhetoric, but is rescued by Una. ### [Canto X: The House of Holinesse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-x) Receives instruction in repentance, virtue, and faith; granted a vision of the New Jerusalem and told he will become Saint George. ### [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-xi) The knight fights the dragon for three days, is healed by the well of life, and ultimately slays the beast. ### [Canto XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-xii) Betrothed to Una, defends himself against Duessa's accusations, and remembers his vow to the Faery Queene. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-i) Mentioned as having departed from Eden lands; falsely accused by Archimago of dishonoring a virgin. ### [Book III: The Legend of Britomartis, or of Chastity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/book-iii-the-legend-of-britomartis-or-of-chastity) Meets Britomart and informs her of Artegall's estate and chivalric appearance. ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-i) Present at Castle Joyous; disarmed there; runs to the commotion when Malecasta screams. ### [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-iv) Briefly mentioned as having informed Britomart about Artegall. ### [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/chapters/canto-xi) Mentioned as the knight who dubbed Sir Burbon and gave him the shield bearing the Redeemer's badge. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters/redcrosse_knight - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_faerie_queene_se/characters