Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Anonymous. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. 2015. 112p. 114 minutes. Available as an eBook and an audiobook from Overdrive.

On this New Year’s Eve, everything is merry at the Round Table in Camelot. King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, the knights, and other members of the court are gathered to celebrate the arrival of a new year with an extravagant feast. The party is interrupted by the arrival of a tall and frightening knight, as big as a giant and completely clad in green. Glancing around at the cowering knights, the Green Knight issues a challenge. Whomever is brave enough to land a blow on him this New Year’s Eve will get repaid by a blow from the Green Knight the following New Year’s Eve at the Green Chapel. Dare any knight demonstrate their courage by accepting this deadly challenge?

To Arthur’s disappointment, no one initially steps forward to meet the Green Knight’s challenge. The Knight mocks the assembled crowd for their lack of bravery, claiming that what he has heard of the Round Table are nothing more than old women’s tales. Sir Gawain, the smallest knight at Court, stands up and accepts the Green Knight’s challenge. Taking the swing this year, Sir Gawain decapitates the Green Knight. The Green Knight, unfazed, picks up his head and acclaims Gawain for a great hit, then tells him to find him next year for his turn at receiving a blow.

As the New Year approaches, Sir Gawain begins his quest of finding the Chapel. Arriving at a Lord’s estate, he joins in the Christmastime festivities, and discovers that the Chapel is but a half-day away. But as the time grows close, and as temptations, both of the flesh and of the company of others increase, can Sir Gawain remain true to his deadly mission and prove to be the honest and courageous knight others believe him to be?

Anonymously written more than a thousand years ago, Sir Gawain's story is a great introduction to Arthurian legends and myths, and will be appreciated by fantasy fans.