SIR Gawain’s search for the Green Chapel took him to north Wales, where he was hospitably received by Bertilak de Hauptdesert, the lord of a lonely castle.

Bertilak took Gawain hunting, but first extracted a promise from him. Bertilak would give Gawain any prize he won that day, if Gawain would do the same.

More hospitable still was the Lady Bertilak. Three times she tried to seduce her guest, and three times Gawain won a kiss upon the cheek from her.

True to his Quest, however, he let it go no further; and true to his promise to Bertilak, he passed on each prized, chaste kiss.

He did not, however, pass on the little token of love she pressed on him. True, he refused a golden ring, but he relented at a girdle of green cloth, which he tied around his waist, concealed beneath his clothing.