On New Year's Day a double portion was served at the table of state, and thither came the king with all his knights from the service in the chapel. They greeted each other for the New Year, and gave rich gifts one to another, and laughed and rejoiced together.

But when they were all served Arthur would not eat, for he had a custom that on a feast day he would neither eat nor drink till he had heard some strange adventure, or knightly deed, or till some stranger knight or distressed damsel had given a challenge or sought redress of the knights of the Round Table. With the sound of trumpets and the waving of banners the first course of that feast was brought in and served, and so great was the abundance that the serving men could scarce find place on the tables for the dainties. Each helped himself as he liked best, but still Arthur sat at the head of the board, and though he made much mirth yet would he not eat.

Suddenly there rushed in at the hall door a man terrible to look upon. He was taller and broader and mightier than any man that was ever seen, so that he seemed as if he were a giant. Yet he was but a man clad in knight's armor, and the knights marveled most at his color, for he was green all over. His coat and his mantle were of green, and his hood and his hose and all his vestures. And the trappings of his steed were all of green, even to the saddlebow and stirrups, and his horse was green and strong and hard to hold, so that none but a mighty man might ride him. But most marvelous of all were his hair and his thick beard, that were green as any bush.

The knight bore neither shield nor spear nor helmet, but in one hand he held a bough of holly, that is the greenest of all trees in winter, and in the other he bore an ax, huge and uncomely, a cruel weapon with strong staff and sharp, keen blade. He rode into the hall and drove straight to the table of state, which was set on a platform above the rest. He greeted no man, nor looked at any. The first words he spoke were: "Where is the ruler of this assembly? I would gladly look upon that man and have speech with him."

All had sat silent to see so strange a sight as a man and his steed both green as grass, and many had thought this was some fairy prince who had come among them. Whether they were right we shall see.

But Arthur had not fear, and he answered him courageously: "Sir, thou art welcome to this place. Lord of this hall am I, and men call me Arthur. Light thee down and bide awhile, and what they will is, that shall we learn hereafter."

"Nay," quoth the stranger, "it is not my errand to tarry in this hall; but the fame of thy people and thy city is lifted up on high, and thy men are held the best of all that wear armor. The wisest and the worthiest in the world are they, and well proved in knightly sports. And here, I am told, is fair courtesy; therefore have I come hither, bearing the holly bough in peace. For had I chosen to journey in warlike guise, I have at home both shield and helmet and spear. But if ye be as bold as all men say, ye will grant me the boon I ask."

"Sir knight," said Arthur, "if thou cravest battle here, thou shalt not fail to find a foe."

"Nay," quoth the knight, "I seek no fight. In faith, those on the benches here are but beardless children. Were I clad in armor there is no man here to match me. Therefore I ask in this court but a Christmas jest. If there be any here so bold as to dare me one stroke for another, to him will I give this ax. I will abide the first blow with it unarmed as I am. If any man is bold enough to come to me here and take this ax, I will abide his stroke; but thou shalt give me the right to deal him a stroke in return in a twelvemonth from this day. Now haste, and let us see whether any here dare abide my words."

Then there was a stillness in the hall, and every man pondered these strange words. And the Green Knight gazed at the company from under his bushy green brows and frowned and twisted his beard.

"What!" he exclaimed loudly; "is this Arthur's hall, and are these the knights whose prowess is told in many realms? Is the Round Table overthrown by one man's speech, since all keep silence for dread ere ever they have seen a blow?"

With that he laughed so loudly that the blood rushed into the king's fair face; he waxed wroth, as did all his knights, and sprang to his feet, and said: "Foolish is thy asking, and as thy folly has asked so shalt thou be answered. Give me thine ax, and I will grant thee the boon thou hast desired."

But ere the king had finished speaking, Gawain, his nephew, had knelt before him and besought that this favor be granted him, that he rather than his lord take up the challenge; for though he was less mighty, yet would his loss be therefore less felt. And all the knights rose and spoke with one voice that the king should leave this adventure to Gawain.

Gawain stepped to the stranger and took from his hand the ax, and the Green Knight asked him, saying, "What is thy name?"

"Gawain am I," quoth the knight; "I give thee this buffet, let what may come of it, and at this time twelvemonth I will take another from thee."

"That pleaseth me well," said the Green Knight.

"But where shall I seek thee?" said Gawain.

"That will I tell thee when I have taken the blow."

The Green Knight bared his neck and bowed his head, and Gawain let fall the ax with a mighty blow. Straight through the neck it smote, and the head fell to the ground, but the Green Knight faltered not nor fell. With his hand he lifted the head and stepped into the saddle, still holding it; and behold! as he turned the face to Gawain the lips moved, and it said: "Come thou to the Green Chapel, Gawain. Seek it till thou find it. There shalt thou receive a blow on New Year's Day. Come, or thou shalt ever be called a recreant."

With that he turned his bridle and rode out of the hall, and all marveled. Though Arthur was astonished in his heart, yet he gave no sign of it, nor did Gawain. But the king spake to the ladies, saying: "Be not dismayed. Such craft is well suited to Christmas tide, when we seek wonders and jest, laughter and song. Now I may get me to meat, for I have seen a marvel I may not soon forget."

Then the king and the good knight Gawain sat down at the board, and men served them with a double portion, as was fitting for the noblest. With minstrelsy and holiday making the day wore away, and none spoke of the strange sight they had seen, but it lay ever in the minds of Gawain and King Arthur.

Now the year passed quickly, winter and spring and summer. With the autumn Sir Gawain bethought him oft of the dangerous journey that was before him. On Allhallow's Day Arthur made a great feast for his nephew's sake, and though they jested together and spoke no word of it, yet all were in sorrow for fear of what might befall that gentle knight.

After the meal Gawain turned to his uncle and said: "Liege lord of my life, leave from you I seek. Ye know without more words what must be. To-morrow am I bound to set forth in search of the Green Knight."

Then all the noblest knights came together, both Lancelot and Perceval and Kay and many another. They drew near to Gawain, and there was much sorrow that so worthy a knight should go weaponless to seek a deadly blow. But Gawain made ever good cheer and said, "Nay, wherefore should I shrink back? What may a man do but try his fate?"

All day he dwelt there with Arthur, and on the morrow he arose betimes and asked for his armor, and they brought it to him. First a rich carpet was stretched over the floor, and the knight stepped thereon. He was clad in a doublet of silk with a close hood furred with costly skins. Then they put steel shoes upon his feet, and wrapped his legs with steel casings and polished kneecaps clasped with gold. They cased his thighs in armor and brought him a coat of mail of bright steel rings sewed on a fair stuff. With elbow-pieces and polished braces and gloves of mail they covered him, and all the goodly gear that should shield him in his need, and over it all they cast a rich robe of red velvet whereon was emblazoned in precious stones his coat of arms. When they had set on his spurs of gold, that none but the highest knights might wear, and had girt on his sword with a silken girdle, he was fully clad; and his harness was costly, for the least loop or latchet gleamed with gold. Then went he to the chapel and made his prayer and laid his offering on the altar, and afterwards he came before the king and took leave of him and all the lords and ladies.

With that Gringalet, his steed, was ready, and all his trappings and his saddle and his bridle shone with gold.

And Gawain took his helmet and set it on his head and fastened it, and he grasped in his hand his shield which was of bright red, whereon was painted a knot of gleaming gold. Now was Sir Gawain ready, and he took his lance and bade them all farewell, as he thought forever. He smote his steed with his spurs, and he sprang on his way so swiftly that the sparks flew from the stones after him.