Green Knight

Also known as: the Green Knight · Role: knight · First appears: Book VII, Chapter VIII

In Book VII, Chapter VIII, the Green Knight confronts Beaumains over the slaying of his brother Sir Perard, calling him a traitor and challenging him. They fight as rivals, wounding one another, until Beaumains defeats him; the Green Knight cries for mercy and yields, and Beaumains spares him at damosel’s request. He then kneels and does homage to Beaumains with his sword.

The Green Knight offers damosel lodging and guidance through the forest, and in Chapter IX escorts her and Beaumains onward. He recognizes Beaumains as the better knight, orders thirty knights to guard him from treason, and pledges their service, saying, “I and these thirty knights shall be always at your summons.” He directs their obedience to King Arthur, takes Beaumains to a side table, and then departs with damosel. In Chapter X, Red Knight learns that Beaumains overcame the Green Knight, who is identified as his brother; later, in Chapter XIV, Beaumains defeats the Green Knight, Red Knight, and Blue Knight in succession.