Gawain (Gwalchmei, Gawan, Gauvain, Walewein etc.) (
IPA pronunciation: /gaʊwɪn/ or /gɑːweɪn/) is
King Arthur's nephew and a
Knight of the
Round Table who appears very early in the
Arthurian legend's development. He is one of a select number of Round Table members to be referred to as the greatest knight, most notably in
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He is almost always portrayed as the son of Arthur's sister
Morgause (or Anna) and King
Lot of
Orkney and
Lothian, and his brothers are
Agravain,
Gaheris,
Gareth, and
Mordred. In some works he has sisters as well. Gawain is often portrayed as a formidable but brash warrior, fiercely loyal to his king and family. He is a friend to young knights, a defender of the poor, and a consummate ladies' man. In some works, his strength waxes and wanes with the sun; in the most common form of this motif, his might triples by noon, but fades as the sun sets. His knowledge of herbs makes him a great healer, and he is credited with at least three children: Florence, Lovell, and
Gingalain, the last of which is also called
Libeaus Desconus or
Le Bel Inconnu, the Fair Unknown. In later
Welsh Arthurian literature, Gawain is considered synonymous with the native champion Gwalchmei.
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[Arthurian] A Dutch verse romance dating from the second half of the thirteenth century. Keye accuses Walewein of bragging, after which Walewein angrily leaves court and performs so many heroic deeds that he disproves Keye's accusation. The humiliated Keye is eventually removed from court.