Sir Gawain and the Lady of Lys

Sir Gawain and the Lady of Lys

THE stories contained in the present volume of Arthurian Romances are drawn from the same collection of tales as that from which the first visit of Gawain to the Grail castle, in the preceding volume of the series, is derived. Indeed, the stories follow in close sequence, and a glance at the introductory lines of the Grail visit will show that that adventure is placed immediately after the successful termination of the expedition against Chastel Orguellous, which forms the subject of this volume. These stories practically form three separate tales, and are translated almost entirely from the same MS. as that used for the Grail visit, the fine Perceval codex B.N. 12576. With regard to the second adventure a few words of explanation are necessary. The relations of Gawain with the lady of Lys, recorded in all the Perceval-Wauchier texts, are as a rule related twice [Pg x] over; in the first instance in the section which, in my Perceval studies, I have called the Brun de Branlant section, as it is devoted to Arthurs expedition against that recalcitrant noble. Gawains meeting with the lady takes place, as he here explains, during the siege. Later on, on the expedition against Chastel Orguellous, related in these pages, Arthur and his knights come all unwittingly to the castle of the ladys brother, Bran de Lis, and Gawain, realising the position, relates the story of the first meeting. Now in the best and fullest texts the two versions do not agreethey are, in fact, incapable of being harmonisedand the curious point is that this second version, related by Gawain himself, and included in a collection of tales of which he is the hero, represents his conduct in a distinctly less favourable light. In the Studies above referred to I have entered at length into the question, and have expressed my opinion that this second form is really the older, and owes its somewhat repellent character to the fact that it is a survival of a very early, pre-chivalric stage of tradition. It is worthy of note that the subsequent [Pg xi] conduct of both brother and sister is precisely the same in both versions; whether Gawain accepts favours freely proffered, or takes them by force, Bran de Lis is neither more nor less his enemy; whether she wins her hearts desire, or is the victim of force majeure, his sister is equally Gawains devoted amie. But for purposes of translation the versions do not stand on an equal footing; and, these volumes being intended for the general public, I have preferred to follow the later and, undoubtedly, more sympathetic form. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 45514
Author: Williams, Morris Meredith
Release Date: Apr 27, 2014
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Illustrator: Williams, Morris Meredith, 1881-1973
Translator: Weston, Jessie L. (Jessie Laidlay), 1850-1928