Sir Gawain: Knight of the Goddess
By (Author) John Matthews
Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Inner Traditions Bear and Company
25th March 2003
United States
General
Non Fiction
Folklore studies / Study of myth (mythology)
398.22
Paperback
208
Width 152mm, Height 229mm, Spine 19mm
1g
Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, was once the most important knight at Arthur's court - a shining example of all that was best in chivalry at the time. He even outranked the famous Lancelot. Yet as the popularity of the Arthurian romances grew, the character of Gawain became increasingly diminished in popular literature. John Matthews explores the phenomenon that influenced the recasting of Gawain from hero into a womanising villain, providing a scholarly context through which Gawain's role as the representative of the Goddess upon Earth-the real Green Knight of Camelot and Sovereignty's Champion - may be restored. In addition, the author presents a unique view of the mythology of Britain and its connections with the historical changes that took place over many hundreds of years in the religious and mystical traditions of the country.
John Matthews has authored over sixty books, including The Grail: Quest for Eternal Life and The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom. A foremost expert in the Arthurian legends and esoteric wisdom of the Celtic traditions, he teaches and lectures around the world. He resides with his wife, Caitlin, in Oxford, England.