A flora-human hybrid like he’s never seen before, The Green Knight proposes to the stunned hall what he calls a “Christmas Game”. The fantastic creature offers to give his spectacular, powerful ax to anyone who can strike him, but that person must visit him in a place called The Green Chapel within a year to return the blow in the same way. When none of the other knights accepts the challenge, Gawain seizes his chance to become a hero – Arthur even goes so far as to let him use Excalibur. Unexpectedly, the Green Knight lays down his ax and offers his neck to his opponent, and Gawain violently beats and beheads the stranger.
Gawain is then shocked to watch the Green Knight raise his own head, laugh, and announce, “One year later,” before riding off on horseback.
