Reading Notes: British and Celtic Unit

I chose to write the reading notes based on “The Unknown Bride” in the Canterbury Tales. The original version told a story about a young knight under King Arthur’s rule went against his vow in protecting all women. He mistreated one, and so, by the law, he has to be hanged. Yet, due to his handsome appearance and talents, all the court ladies begged for his life. King Arthur allowed his queen to make the final judgement, and the Queen asked the knight to answer what is the women desire the most. The knight went all over the land, but he couldn’t find an answer until he met an old crone. She told him the answer but he has to marry her in return. For his life, he agreed. The answer saved his life, but he was force to marry the old crone as he had promised. He was not happy as first, but the old lady talked him into agree in their marriage. On the wedding day, the old lady turned into a beautiful young girl, and they lived happily. This sounded like a typical fairy tale story, but I am wonder who was the woman that the knight mistreated and why did he do so. Since the knight was talked into consent with the marriage to an old and poor lady, he must be intelligent and open-minded. I believe there is goodness in him that would not lead him to mistreat a lady. Since his wife turning from an old lady to a young girl, I assumed she is a fairy. So, I want to write a story with explanation on why the knight committed his crime and his heroic act and kindness touched a fairy. She wanted to save, but she want to test him to see if he was a good person and good husband.

Knight. Link

Bibliography. Chaucer.  Canterbury Tales. Link