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Sir Gawain was the first son of King Lot and after his death went on to be the Orkney clan leader. He is featured in many Arthurian Legends often as one of King Arthur's main knights. He is generally portrayed as either the principal or secondary hero with much courtesy, chivalry, and noblity. Throughout all of his trials and tales he is considered very well respected, loyal, and honest. However, in his goal to maintain these traits to the highest esteem, is faced with many problems and trials along the way. In one of his most well-known texts, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain experiences a brief fall from this tower of perfection as he struggles with his inner demons. Gawain's greatest traits are also his greatest weaknesses in that he follows these to the letter rather than to the spirit.

It is important to note that in both the Prose Tristan and the French novels he was often portrayed as a villian, evil, and sometimes a murderer. This version for the most part was not popular and is not prevelant in most later works. More recently many writers went back to the old English and Welsh sources and turned him back into the hero many know him as.

Father: King Lot of Orkney and Lothian

Mother: Morgause or Anna

Siblings: Aggravain, Gaheris, Gareth, Mordred, sometimes sisters

Children: Florence, Lovell, Gingalain

Uncle: King Arthur

Symbols: Shield with Pentagram

Other Names: Walwen, Gwalchmai, Gauvain, Gawan, Gwalchmei ap Gwyar

Texts: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Morte d'Arthur, Avowyng of Arthur, Awntyrs of Athur, Carle of Carlisle, Jeaste of Sir Gawain, King Arthur and King Cornwall, Knightly Tale of Gologras and Gawain, Libeaus Desconus, Sir Gawain and the Carle of Carlisle, Turke and Sir Gawain, Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Ywain and Gawain, Culwch and Olwen, Welsh Triads

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Copyright: Nikki Burke 2000-2008
Website Last Updated: January 03, 2008
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