A strange green knight challenged Sir Gawain to take one swing at him with an axe, provided the kinght could do the same in return. Gawain beheaded the knight, who then picked up his own head and rode off, reminding Sir Gawain that he must fufil his side of the bargain.

Gawain’s quest led him to a lonely castle, whose lord and lady received him kindly. The lord made Gawain promise to give him any prize he won in the day’s hunting, and Gawain dutifully passed on three chaste kisses received from the lady. But he kept secret from her husband a token of her love, a green girdle.

Gawain left Bertilak and his amorous lady, and arrived at the Green Chapel ready to fulfil his bargain. But the knight inflicted no more than a light scratch. He revealed himself as Bertilak, and for Gawain’s honourable conduct he spared his life — though in payment for the girdle Gawain had secretly treasured, he exacted a mild scratch.

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