The Rise of Gawain, Nephew of Arthur
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The Rise of Gawain, Nephew of Arthur is an anonymous work telling the story of Gawain's boyhood and early adventures through till his becoming a knight of the Realm of King Arthur. Catalog tradition, as recorded by John Bale lists the author as Robert of Torigny. [1]
The document comprises a single existing, early 14thC, manuscript written in Medieval Latin believed to be a copy of an earlier work. Details of costume and ship construction suggest a date for the original earlier than the 13thC; while the text borrows passages and plots from Geoffrey of Monmouth's work of the mid 12thC. [1]
The structure and plot are based around the idea of establishing one's identity as Gawain is initially ignorant of his relationship to Arthur.[1]
While mainly serious, The Rise of Gawain contains some humorous incidents, notably, when Gawain pushes Arthur into the River Usk and the King is forced to explain to his wife Gwendoloena (Guinevere) why he is so wet.[1]
The text contains one of the earliest European sources for the processing and projection of Greek Fire.[1]
