"the graciouseste gome that vndir God lyffede" a reconsideration of Sir Gawain in the Late Medieval Middle English and Middle Scots romance tradition
In Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte Darthur, King Arthur's nephew, Sir Gawain, is presented as a troublesome figure whose vengefulness hastens the collapse of Camelot. This characterization is unsurprising in the light of traditional French depictions of Gawain, but it is distinctly at odds with a rival, Anglo Scottish tradition that depicts him rather differently as a figure of moderation, wise counsel, and courtesy. Indeed, throughout the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, this version of Gawain was used by a number of romance writers to explore themes of kingship, identity, and regionalism in England and Scotland. This thesis attempts to explain the complexities and contradictions of Gawain's role in the Middle English and Middle Scots tradition. Chapter one establishes a "northern Gawain type" drawing on thematic patterns in four northern Gawain romances: The Weddyng of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell, The Avowyng of Arthur, Sir Gawain and the Carle of Carlisle, and The Knightly Tale of Golagros and Gawain. Gawain's popularity in the north, coupled with similarities in characterization and narrative focus, mark him as an important regional figure. This discussion continues in the second chapter, which examines The Awntyrs off Arthure, a poem specifically concerned with Arthurian kingship and imperialism. In Scotland, Gawain is used in romances to explore pertinent contemporary concerns with the recent loss of Scotland's kings and attitudes towards English expansion. The third chapter considers Gawain's role in two Scottish romances, particularly, The Knightly Tale of Golagros and Gawain and Lancelot of the Laik. The final two chapters examine Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte Darthur. By exploring these narratives in the context of the "northern Gawain type," these chapters offer new insights into Gawain's literary significance for late medieval writers. This thesis offers a reconsideration of Gawain's reputation in late medieval Middle English and Middle Scots literature. It suggests both why he was such a useful figure for the authors of the northern and Scottish romances and why Malory ultimately chose to reject their reading of him and followed instead the more critical and dismissive French tradition. The lasting legacy of Malory's Gawain has influenced his reputation and representation in post medieval Arthurian literature. Yet, his popularity in the north of England and Scotland during the late Middle Ages, and his symbolic significance in discussions of governance, make him a character deserving of rehabilitation in the pantheon of Arthurian knighthood. Acknowledgments Listen lords and ladies to the gratitude I bestow: First and foremost, Greg Walker, supervisor extraordinaire, Game of Thrones enthusiast, and occasional therapist. Thank you for the hours of editing, the patience, the wisdom, and the endless advice over the years. And thank you for removing all of the "Canadianisms" from the dissertation. Sorry about those, eh. To David Salter, for his many helpful suggestions and support along the way, especially the recommendation to read Ywain and Gawain. My new goal in life is to own a pet lion. Or, at the very least, a lion esque dog. I would also like to thank John McGavin and Sarah Dunnigan for their support and advice throughout the viva process. There are many people to thank from the English Department at the University of Edinburgh who have helped guide me over the years. While I cannot possibly name everyone, thank you for the ongoing support, the quick response to panicked emails, and the reassuring smiles. For early inspiration, a special thank you to the late Sheldon Oberman. I would also like to acknowledge my University of Manitoba colleagues, especially Dr. Robert Finnegan and Dr. David Watt, who introduced me to medieval literature and thus ruined my life in the best way possible. To my friends: My fellow members of the university's most noble Late Antique and Medieval Postgraduate Society. To Feminist Hallway. To Newcastle's very own Wolverine. To those in Edinburgh and those abroad. To those that read pieces of this dissertation, attended my seminars, fed me, hugged me, answered my increasingly hysterical questions, and assured me that everything was going to be okay. You have made these PhD years the adventure of a lifetime. You bow to no one. A special thank you to the staff at Edinburgh's Forbidden Planet and Cameo Cinema. To those back home in Winnipeg, Canada: Baba and Zaida, Aunty Brenda and Uncle Howard, Aunty Reesa, Joyce, Brad, Jer, Seth, Patricia, (puppy niece) Quinn: the Skype, the food, the happiness at my homecomings, the sadness at my departures, the high fives, the faith in me, and the unwavering support. I thank you. And to the Winnipeg Jets, I'll never let go. I dedicate this thesis to: My Mom, for always being mission control. My Dad, for the (metaphorical) spiritual guidance. My Rachel, my favourite. Dots and dots. To the memory of my uncle, Shep Nerman, my aunt, Ellen Chochinov, my grandfather, Sam Sellers, and my grandmother, Sheila Sellers (baba, thank you for the luck) In my thoughts, eternally. Table of