Dame Ragnell is a figure from Arthurian legend, known for her role in the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the tale, Sir Gawain is a knight of King Arthur's court who agrees to participate in a beheading game with a mysterious green knight. The green knight allows Gawain to behead him, but only if Gawain agrees to receive a return blow in a year's time.
When the appointed day arrives, Gawain sets off to fulfill his promise and meets Dame Ragnell, a mysterious woman who offers him a choice. She tells him that he can either take her as his bride or accept her as his guide. If he chooses the former, she will grant him the ability to never be defeated in battle, but he must promise to always treat her kindly and never reveal her true identity. If he chooses the latter, she will guide him to the green knight and help him escape his fate.
Gawain ultimately decides to take Dame Ragnell as his guide, and she leads him to the green knight's castle. There, Gawain discovers that the green knight is actually the lord of the castle, who had devised the beheading game as a test of Gawain's honor. The green knight reveals that Dame Ragnell is actually his sister, and that she had offered Gawain the choice as a test of his own character.
The story of Dame Ragnell highlights the importance of honor and chivalry in Arthurian legend, as well as the theme of identity and deception. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of making promises without fully understanding the consequences.
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Retrieved 8 March 2015. But you desired Guinevere; and, at your wish, King Leodegrance of Cameliard gave his daughter to you. This is what women desire most of all. She promises to give Arthur the correct answer, on the condition that he marries her to Sir Gawain. I hold thy life days nighe done; Thou hast given my landes in certain With great wrong unto Sir Gawen.
Ragnell returns to Carlisle with Arthur and insists on a lavish marriage in front of the whole court. The king was hunting in Inglewood, near the mysterious and magical Lake Wathelene, in Cumbria, with all his knights, waiting for the beaters to flush out some deer. As predicted, the mysterious woman in the woods has the right answer and Sir Gromer allows Arthur to live, cursing his sister in the process. The ceremony must be open and proclaimed. Dame Ragnell is not a beautiful woman who has intentionally taken the form of a hag trying to deceive others like Morgana LeFey in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Better that you sleep overnight under the trees, among the wild animals and restless spirits, than ask for shelter here. This is all there is to it.
I thank you for that reminder, and I assure you that I will not neglect my promise to you. She told me her name, by the rode, That it was Dame Ragnelle. He turns to find his wife transformed into a beautiful woman. She had two teethe on every side As bores tuskes, I woll not hide, Of lengthe a large handfulle; The one tusk went up and the other doun; A mouthe fulle wide and foulle y-grown. Her hair, grey-black and unkempt, clung like soiled wet straw to her wrinkled face, which itself was dotted with red pustules and blemishes. Her true nature may be hinted at in another tale of ancient Ireland.
The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle Background
The king pulled out his two books: 'The answer will be in these, somewhere, I am sure,' he said. You shall not escape so easily! My body and goods, heart and every part of me is all your own to buy and sell, I vow before God. Abandon this folly and follow a more reasonable course! Alle that saw the king. Then the tablecloths were removed and water was brought so that everybody could wash, as was the custom. As they lie together after the banquet, Dame Ragnell asks for a kiss. Posted on December 20, 2015 November 8, 2018 By Author Tags. Every knight heard it and recognised it and they all hurried towards the sound.
My love, lady, ye shall have ever, For that ye saved my lord Arthoure, As I am a gentilwoman. She stood in her smock alle by that fire; Her her was to her knees as red as gold wire. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. Shall we draw lots to determine which of us will have the first stroke? Your life is safe. Ragnell appears in Code Name: S.
In the forest as I was this daye, Ther I met with a knighte in his arraye And certain wordes to me he gan sayn And charged me I shold him not bewraine; His councelle must I kepe therfore, Or els I am forswore. Your words will be mightier than his sword. Because Dame Ragnelle is a hag with no manners, she falls out of the expected female role. Dame Ragnell offers the truth to the men of the story and proves Sir Gawain to be as honorable as his reputation says he is. I assure you it isâbecause I am that Loathly Lady, although now I am known as the Dame Ragnell. So, dear reader, here is my foreword to you. May we all have the courage to ask the right question.
The guests in the Great Hall seemed utterly unsurprised by the outcome of the contest. Thou must graunt me a knighte to wed His name is Sir Gawen. Arthur could not believe his eyes: although Excalibur had exacted its toll, now he could discern no evidence of his stroke. In return she asks for Sir Gawain in marriage. Now God, as you are a royal king, help out of danger the man who set this story down, for he has been in peril for a long time. The king rode on way and Gawen another And ever enquired of man, woman, and other, What women desired moste dere. Let me see what you can do.
