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Sir Gawain and the Carl of Carlisle

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Abstract

The fifteenth-century romance “Sir Gawain and the Carl of Carlisle” describes the relationship between King Arthur, represented by Sir Gawain, and the Carl of Carlisle. By passing a series of tests Sir Gawain proves he is willing to accept the Carl's sovereignty within the latter's home. In return, the hitherto hostile Carl adopts a friendly attitude towards the knight and accepts the sovereignty of the King. This can be regarded as a political bargain between two classes of society, the nobility and the commoners. It expresses a commitment by each party to respect the other's rights and thereby to restore order.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oude Rijn 44d, 2312 HG, Leiden

    T. Brandsen

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  1. T. Brandsen
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Brandsen, T. Sir Gawain and the Carl of Carlisle. Neophilologus 81, 299–307 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004224917081

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004224917081

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