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Gawain, Sir

(Encyclopedia) Gawain, SirGawain, Sirgäˈwān, –wĭn [key], one of the most popular heroes of Arthurian legend; nephew of King Arthur. He was regarded, particularly in the early romances, as the model…

Pearl, The

(Encyclopedia) Pearl, The, one of four Middle English alliterative poems, all contained in a manuscript of c.1400, composed in the West Midland dialect, almost certainly by the same anonymous author…

alliteration

(Encyclopedia) alliterationalliterationəlĭtˌərāˈshən [key], the repetition of the same starting sound in several words of a sentence. Probably the most powerful rhythmic and thematic uses of…

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…

Brewer's: Knights of the Round Table

King Arthur's knights, so called from the large circular table round which they sat. The table was circular to prevent any heart-sore about precedency. The number of these knights is…

Brewer's: Round Table

Made by Merlin at Carduel for Uter Pendragon. Uter gave it to King Leodegraunce, of Camelyard, and King Leodegraunce gave it to Arthur when the latter married Guinever, his daughter. It…

Parsifal

(Encyclopedia) ParsifalParsifalpärˈsĭfäl [key], figure of Arthurian legend also known as Sir Percivale, who is in turn a later form of a hero of Celtic myth. The name originally occurs as Pryderi, an…

Arthurian legend

(Encyclopedia) Arthurian legend, the mass of legend, popular in medieval lore, concerning King Arthur of Britain and his knights. Although there are innumerable variations of the Arthurian legend…

Brewer's: Green Knight

(The). A Pagan, who demanded Fezon in marriage; but, overcome by Orson, resigned his claim. (Valentine and Orson.) Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894Green…

knight

(Encyclopedia) knight, in ancient and medieval history, a noble who did military service as a mounted warrior. As the feudal system disintegrated, knight service was with growing frequency…