Brewer's: Gauvaine

or Gawain = Gau-wain (2 syl., g hard). Sir Gauvaine the Courteous. One of Arthur's kinghts, and his nephew. He challenged the Green Knight, and struck off his head; but the headless knight picked up his poll again and walked off, telling Sir Gauvaine to meet him twelve months hence. Sir Gauvaine kept his appointment, and was hospitably entertained; but, taking possession of the girdle belonging to the lady of the house, was chastised by the Green Knight, confessed his fault, and was forgiven.

The gentle Gawain's courteous lore, Hector de Mares and Pellinore, And Lancelot that evermore Looked stol'nwise on the queen.

SirW.Scott: Bridal of Triermain, ii. 13.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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