Those that know me are probably wondering what's all of this is about and who is this Gawaine person I seem to have a "thing" for?   My favorite movie happens to be "First Knight" and I'm fascinated by that time period..medieval and like most women...in my opinion, the thought of having a brave, noble yet still a male, champion.   *S* From my research and the help of a special friend, I've discovered mine...Gawaine, Son of Lot of Orkney Islands, Scotland.  I admire who he was, how he lived his life, the magic of his marriage to Ragnell and his loyalty to King Arthur.

  Gawaine's father, King Lot was originally one of the kings who was opposed to Arthur's rule, thinking Arthur too young and unworthy to be king.  Arthur eventually defeated Lot and Lot an Arthur became accorded.  Arthur appointed Lot to be king of Norway and in tribute to Arthur, Lot sent 3 of his sons, Gawaine, Gaheris and Agravaine to be knights.  Lot's wife, Morguawse, was Arthur's half sister making Gawaine a nephew to Arthur.  Not knowing Morgoawse to be his sister, Arthur seduced Morguawse, thus was the conception of Mordred, Gawaine's half brother.  Although his greatest knight, Lancelot, had an affair with his wife, Guinivere and Mordred and many of his men betrayed him on his return to Britain, Gawaine never left Arthur and always 
  looked at his uncle with the deepest respect.  

Gawaine is seen in the Arthurian legends as being a knight who is far from perfect, but a man who lived his life trying to live by the ideals of chivalry.  It is even believed that he was originally the one who achieved the grail and also wielded Excalibur.  His pagan associations with his aunt Morgan le Fay made him become less likable in later legends.  Although Gawaine could be a rash man, a man of violence, and a man who broke his word, Gawaine was also a brave knight, a kind husband and loyal husband to the Ragnell.  He was the man who bravely took the challenge of the Green Knight and the man who stood by Arthur until his death.  When Arthur and Gawaine learned of Morderd's betrayal in Britain Gawaine became inraged and he and Arthur sailed for Britain.  An ambush was laid for them and there was a great battle.  Gawaine fought bravely, but was eventually struck down by a club in the same wound that Lancelot had given him in an earlier fight with him.  After the battle Arthur found Gawaine on the beach, weak and dying.  Gawaine requested that Arthur give him paper so that he could write a letter to Lancelot informing him of the way in which he died, that Lancelot remain loyal to Arthur, to deal with Mordred and his mischief and to visit his tomb.  

Gawaine and Arthur wept and at noon Gawaine gave up his spirit and died.  This was not the last that was seen of Gawaine in the Arthurian story.  On the eve before the final battle at Camalan, Gawaine's ghost appeared to Arthur and warned him not to battle Mordred until Lancelot had came or else he would be doomed.  Unfortunately Arthur never heeded this advice.  Gawaine's skull was said to be in the tower of Dover Castle.  Perhaps Gawaine best represents the real knights of the time who were men of action and were made to conform to higher, chivalrous ideals, although many times they failed.