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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 October 2022
Diu Crône
After a proem in which the narrator claims both merits and demerits for his artistry, he turns to the figure of Arthur, opening with a somewhat dismal account of the humiliations, defections and schisms scarring the Arthurian court. The king had an early taste of tragedy at the age of six when his father, Uther, died. On the occasion of a test of virtue brought to the court by an emissary of King Priure none of the courtiers except Arthur are able to drink of the goblet without spilling its wine, and this is taken as a great dishonour for the court. Honour is hardly restored when Kei challenges the emissary to a fight which he loses (despite the emissary being lightly armed). Soon after this event, Gawein surreptitiously leads away the majority of the knights to take part in a tournament elsewhere, leaving the unsuspecting Arthur with only Kei, Gales and Aumagwin. When he finds out about the deception, Arthur angrily convenes a hunting expedition with his remaining companions. They make a modest catch but the rigours of the season presently impel them to return to court, where Arthur warms himself by the fireside. For this act Arthur is mocked by his wife for his soft ways, and she contrasts him unfavourably with a man who rides out lightly clad in all seasons singing love songs. Stung by the reproach, Arthur and his companions set out once more in the freezing weather to find out if the stranger knight really exists. The latter turns out to be real enough and when challenged by Arthur's companions, proceeds to trounce them despite the fact that, like King Priure's emissary, he fights without armour. To Arthur he reveals his name – Gasozein de Dragoz – and the fact that he was the first love of Queen Guinevere, whom he now reclaims as his own. As proof of his claim he reveals a ring given him by Guinevere (a token of Fortune said to confer invincibility on its possessor together with the love and respect of all).
Gawein, at length returning to the court after numerous campaigns (during which he acquires a wife, Amurfina), sets out to remedy the problems of his liege lord.
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