Although this is a creative piece, it was from my first English Literature module at Open University. After studying the theory behind fairy and folk tales, and after studying Simon Armitage’s reinterpretation of the ancient poem the task was to evidence a strong grasp of both by converting the poem into a fairy tale. This was one of my favourite assignments. First up, you get the story, then you get the critical reflection which discusses the learning that informed my story choices. At the end you get the forum posts I made that formed part of the assessment - as usual, just included here to keep the record complete.
This is a post for paid members, but free subscribers get to read a sample of this one… just in case I can tempt you with access to the backlist of my paid posts including essays and fictional pieces written on my quest for a degree (not to mention serialised releases of future works)…
The Green Knight
One Christmas Day in Camelot, Sir Gawain gazed upon the merry faces of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Around him, at a great table with no head and no foot, sat the most chivalrous and courteous knights that were ever known. Gawain pecked a bird’s portion of the fine feast before him as he listened to a year’s tales of the prowess and honour of his brother-knights. His own adventures seemed commonplace by comparison, so he kept his own counsel and prayed nobody would invite him to speak.
The doors of the mighty hall swung open and who should appear but a green giant, riding upon a gigantic green warhorse. The knights leapt to their feet and unsheathed their swords as one, but the armoured giant showed no fear. In one hand this stranger held a sprig of holly, and in the other, an enormous axe.
While the king and his knights stood agog, the Green Knight stepped down from his horse, lay his burdens on the floor and knelt before them. ‘Good King Arthur and your knights so fair, who among you would take my dare? Deliver a blow, I’ll make no defence, but receive the same, one year hence.’
Gawain begged for the chance to show his mettle. Guinevere touched his hand and said, ‘Nephew. Son. Do not be hasty. I fear this is not a game to test your strength.’
King Arthur laughed at his queen’s concern. ‘Heed not your gentle aunt, my son. Strike true and end this devil’s game with a single stroke.’
Gawain snatched up the great axe. Spurred on by his king and fellow knights, he brought down the axe on the Green Knight’s neck and chopped off his head with one clean blow. A fountain of green sprayed upon the floor.
Arthur’s knights cheered and banged their goblets upon the famous table but fell silent when terrible laughter leapt from the lips of the severed head and echoed through the hall.
The stricken knight snatched up his head by the hair and said, ‘A blow for a blow. I’ve had mine. Next year at the Green Chapel, you collect thine.’ The knight mounted his horse once more and rode out of the hall.