Sir Gawain: Knight of the Goddess

Restores Gawain of Camelot to his true role as the foremost representative and servant of the Goddess.

•The full story of Gawain of Camelot that restores a lost piece of the great Arthurian tapestry.

•Traces the historical trends that demoted Gawain from the foremost knight of the Round Table to a villain and womanizer.

•The result of more than 20 years of research by one of the world's leading scholars of Arthurian mythology.

Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, was once the most important knight at Arthur's court, a shining example of all that was best in chivalry. He even outranked the famous Lancelot. Yet as the popularity of the Arthurian romances grew, the character of Gawain became increasingly diminished in popular literature. John Matthews explores the phenomenon that influenced the recasting of Gawain from hero to womanizing villain, providing a scholarly context through which Gawain's role as the representative of the Goddess upon Earth--the real Green Knight of Camelot and Sovereignty's Champion--may be restored. In addition, the author presents a unique view of the mythology of Britain and its connections with the historical changes that took place over many hundreds of years in the religious and mystical traditions of the country.

Restores Gawain to his true role as the honorable representative and servant of the Goddess

The result of more than 20 years of research by one of the world's leading scholars of Arthurian mythology. The author presents a unique view of the mythology of Gawain, the Green Knight of Camelot, and of Britain and its connections with the historical changes that took place over many hundreds of years in the religious and mystical traditions of the country.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-204) and index.

John Matthews has authored over 60 books, including The Grail: Quest for Eternal Lifeand The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom. A foremost expert in the Arthurian legends and esoteric wisdom of the Celtic traditions, he teaches and lectures around the world. He resides with his wife, Caitlin, in Oxford, England.

Sir Gawain
Knight of the Goddess

Preface to the Second Edition

Foreword by Mildred Leake Day

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1--The British Cuchulainn

Modena: On the Road to the Green Chapel

The Three Sons of Lugh: Gawain, Cuchulainn, and Gwri

Gawain of Galloway: The Birth of a Hero

2--The Rise of Gawain

The Son of the Goddess

The Besieged Lady and the Kingly Champion

From Fair Unknown to Champion of Rome

3--The Green Gome: Otherworldly Chivalry and the Round Table

A Christmas Game at Camelot

The Challenger and the Challenge

The Goddess and the Fairy Bride

4--A Knight Adventurous: Gawain and Women

The Knight Who Loved Too Much

The Loathly Lady and the Responsible Knight

Seeking the Noble Path: Gawain in the World of Chivalry

Addendum

5--The Fall From Grace: Gawain's Path to the Grail

Rites of Passage: Gawain at the Castle of Ladies

The Search for the Ineffable: Grail Quest and Champion

The Quest Continues: Gawain at the Turning of the Ways

6--Mary's Knight: The Grail Champion Restored

Gawain at the Castle of the Grail

The Hidden Road to the Grail

7--The Death of Gawain: A Hero Transformed

The Deepest Depths: The Highest Heights

The Green Knight at Camelot: The Story of Gawain Restored

Appendix 1: The Childhood of Gawain
Translated by PrudenceJones

Appendix 2: The Arming of Gawain

Appendix 3: The Chapel in the Green

Appendix 4: The Sweet Sorrow

Appendix 5: Aspects of the Goddess in the Major Tests

Bibliography

Index