Chretien de Troyes has Yvain and Gawain fighting anonymously for hours without stopping until night forces them to draw back.
As Gawain rides along the bank of a creek, he hears this sickening sound ringing from above.
Gawain is less a personality than a piece of granite, a man “whose glory waxed / as times darkened.”
But Sir Gawain went his way back to court and dismounted within the hall.
Sir Gawain said he had strained a muscle at the last tournament.
Kay,” saith Sir Gawain “not for all the world might ye guess the marvels I have found!
This is a contradiction of previous statement, that maiden tells him A.'s name and threatens him with Gawain's anger.
Thus was Sir Gawain overcome, and me thinks 'twas little marvel!
