Sir Gawain & the Lady Ragnell

Prepare to bleed."

"Abide, Sir Gromer," King Arthur said. "I have one answer left."

"Very well then," said Sir Gromer, "or else so help me, your death you shalt have."

"Now here is the answer," says the king. "Above all, women desire sovereignty, to rule their lives as they see fit."

"And who was it that told you this?" roared Sir Gromer. "No doubt it was my sister the Lady Ragnell! May she burn on a fire! Yet now I am compelled to release you - so go!"

"Farewell," said King Arthur, and he quickly turned around his horse. Then he sped to the Lady Ragnell to bring her back to his castle for the wedding. Yet so unpleasant was the prospect of holding a public wedding with such a bride that he told her the ceremony will be a morning affair, knowing that meant there would be few or none to attend. But this the Lady Ragnell would not abide.

"Nay, Sir King," said she, firmly. "Openly I must be wed, with a full wedding feast and guests aplenty in attendance."

On the evening of the wedding feast, the Lady Ragnell carefully watched her groom. Was he disgusted by her? Would he turn his back and ignore her? Strangely, this he did not do. The knight behaved as if he cherished his loathsome bride.

Later that night in their wedding chambers, the Lady Ragnell said, "Sir Gawain, now that we have wed, show me your courtesy with a kiss. If I were fair, you would not delay. I pray you do this at my request, with all due speed."

Sir Gawain said, "I will at once, that and more!" As he sped around to kiss his bride he saw before him not the loathesome creature he had married, but the fairest creature he ever did see.

"Aye!" he cried out. "What are ye? a witch?!"

"I am your wife," said she, "that and securely."

"Ah, lady, then I must not be in my right mind," said the confused Sir Gawain.