<P> It describes how Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table, accepts a challenge from a mysterious "Green Knight" who challenges any knight to strike him with his axe if he will take a return blow in a year and a day . Gawain accepts and beheads him with his blow, at which the Green Knight stands up, picks up his head, and reminds Gawain of the appointed time . In his struggles to keep his bargain, Gawain demonstrates chivalry and loyalty until his honour is called into question by a test involving Lady Bertilak, the lady of the Green Knight's castle . </P> <P> The poem survives in a single manuscript, the Cotton Nero A.x., which also includes three religious narrative poems: Pearl, Purity and Patience . All are thought to have been written by the same unknown author, dubbed the "Pearl Poet" or "Gawain Poet", since all three are written in a North West Midland dialect of Middle English . </P> <P> In Camelot on New Year's Day, King Arthur's court is exchanging gifts and waiting for the feasting to start when the king asks first to see or hear of an exciting adventure . A gigantic figure, entirely green in appearance and riding a green horse, rides unexpectedly into the hall . He wears no armour but bears an axe in one hand and a holly bough in the other . Refusing to fight anyone there on the grounds that they are all too weak to take him on, he insists he has come for a friendly "Christmas game": someone is to strike him once with his axe on condition that the Green Knight may return the blow in a year and a day . The splendid axe will belong to whoever takes him on . Arthur himself is prepared to accept the challenge when it appears no other knight will dare, but Sir Gawain, youngest of Arthur's knights and his nephew, begs for the honour instead . The giant bends and bares his neck before him and Gawain neatly beheads him in one stroke . However, the Green Knight neither falls nor falters, but instead reaches out, picks up his severed head and remounts, holding up his bleeding head to Queen Guinevere while its writhing lips remind Gawain that the two must meet again at the Green Chapel . He then rides away . Gawain and Arthur admire the axe, hang it up as a trophy and encourage Guinevere to treat the whole matter lightly . </P> <P> As the date approaches, Sir Gawain sets off to find the Green Chapel and keep his side of the bargain . Many adventures and battles are alluded to (but not described) until Gawain comes across a splendid castle where he meets Bertilak de Hautdesert, the lord of the castle, and his beautiful wife, who are pleased to have such a renowned guest . Also present is an old and ugly lady, unnamed but treated with great honour by all . Gawain tells them of his New Year's appointment at the Green Chapel and that he only has a few days remaining . Bertilak laughs, explains that the Green Chapel is less than two miles away and proposes that Gawain rest at the castle till then . Relieved and grateful, Gawain agrees . </P>

When does the green knight appear in camelot