SIR GAWAINE AND RAGNALL

 

As her despondent husband gazes into the fire, the loathly Lady sheds her skin and emerges as her comely Ragnell.

 Arthur entered an enchanted land that drained all teh courage from his heart and strength from his limbs. The ruler of the kingdom thought to play with his prey and agreed to release Arthur from the spell for one year. Arthur must find the answer to the riddle, "What does a woman want most?" If he should fail, he would be condemned to live out his days as a prisoner of the enchanted land.

 As the king returned to his court he passed through a forest whre he came across a hideous old woman seated between a holly tree and an oak. The lady wore a dress of scarlet, but despite its full fabrick one could see her deformed figure beneath. Her filthy skin was the color of bark, and her arms and legs were knotted and twisted like the limbs of a weatherworn tree. One eye was black and the other a milky yellow. Her gaping mouth and mishapen nose slid to one side of her face, and her hair had the look o flichen. But despite her appearance the woman was well spoken and offered to help the king answer the riddle, provided he grant her whatever she wished. Arthur was stunned by this sight and agreed. On hearing her request, the king again found himself in an impossible situation--the Loathly Lady wished the handsome Gawain to be ehr husband. Refusing to ask such a thing of his nephewthe king left the crone and returned to the court.

 Word of Arthur's predicament reached Gawain who thinking to serve his king and help the woman, searched teh forest. Having found the crone, Gawain assured her that if any of the court dared ridicule herthey would regret it. At Gawain's cozxing, the lady came to the court where they were wed before a bewildered crowd. Despite the sneering and excitement, Gawain never left her side and remained courteous throughout the evening.

 After retiring to their bedchamber Gawain's heart began to wane. He gazed into the fire, desperately trying to think how he might avoid the bed without insulting the bride. When he turned to face her he found not the hideous crone, but a beautiful woman in her place. Ragnell explained to her husband that she was the same woman to whom he wed earlier that day and that now he faced a difficult decision--he must choose whether he wished his wife hideous by day anda beautiful by night, or beautiful by day and hideous by night. Gawain thought over the question Ragnell had posed and replied that the choice must be hers, adding that he would be content whatever her decision. At once a smile came across Ragnell's face who then told Gawain that given his response, she would now remain his lovign and beautiful wife both day and night, for he ahd answered teh enchanter's riddle: "What does a woman desire most?" -- Her own way.


Ferguson, Anna-Marie. "Keeper of Words." 1995 Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota. (263)



 

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