This article is in a series about 5 different Arthurian legends that have some connection to the production of Spamalot. The piece of folklore that is of concern in this article is the great battle and concession of the Knights Yvain and Gawain from Chrétien de Troyes’ Yvain: The Knight of the Lion was written during the 12th century.
This Arthurian tale follows the chivalrous and sensical knight Yvain, who like all knights is brave and selfless. One day, he encounters a dragon and a lion fighting (or a serpent, in some translations) and kills the beast and is about to kill the lion, but realizes that he is harmless. He heads up in his stead, but the lion follows him and they become besties. Tragically, the lion will have little to do in this particular part of the story, but it is just too adorable not to mention that Yvain and his lion go on a myriad of adventures together.
Image: Yvain & Lion fighting the Dragon
Gawain, on the other hand, is also a knight of the Round Table. Just like Yvain, he is immensely brave and selfless. However, one vital character trait that leads to him battling his best friend Yvain, is that he will recklessly go into battle without first analyzing why he ought to battle or whether it is for a justifiable reason or not.
Why are They Even Fighting?
Excellent question, on one of Yvain’s adventures, he is immensely kind to a young woman, whom he befriends. Gawain also on his travels, quickly runs into a woman who happens to be the Elder Sister of the woman that Yvain met. The Elder Sister is dealing with a dispute with the Younger Sister about their inheritance and because of Gawain’s chivalric nature, thoughtlessly promises to defend the Elder Sister (Han, 2010). Gawain doesn’t bother to inquire about the Elder Sister’s dispute, he merely, puts his life on the line for her.
Because both of the knights are in full armor, they fail to recognize one another and almost fight to the death. However, the Youngest Sister is hesitant to let the knights duke it out for her. When they settle in to watch the fight, she says to her Elder Sister, “‘Certainly I am sorry that two such gentlemen as these should fight on our behalf over so small a disagreement”’(De Troyes, 70). Both sisters are uncomfortable with the fight that is about to take place. Even the Eldest Sister admits that Gawain doesn’t even know who she is. If Gawain simply asked a couple of questions before he decided that he was willing to take another person’s life, this could have all been avoided.
The Fight
Without hesitation, both knights throw themselves into a duel for their respective sisters and heavily wound one another. Before the match, the knights never speak to one another.
“For they strike each other violently… and they deal such blows with the pommels upon the nose- guards and upon the neck, forehead and cheeks, that they are all marked black and blue where the blood collects beneath the skin… they strike each other upon the mouth as long as they can grip their swords” (De Troyes, 72)
Image: Gawain & Yvain Fighting
Eventually, they have fought for so long that it is almost nighttime. Yvain is the first one to speak up, admiring his anonymous adversary, and even compliments his skill in combat (De Troyes, 73). This shows that Yvain is honest and is willing to express humility and praise another man who is attempting to kill him. Gawain also agrees to stop the fight and finally lets Yvain know who he is. Yvain is so shocked by this revelation that he cries out
“‘Through what unhappy ignorance in not recognizing each other have we waged this battle! For if I had known who you were, I should never have fought with you; but, upon my word, I should have surrendered without a blow’” (De Troyes, 74).
Yvain is sure to emphasize his deep affection for his wonderful ‘friend’. “‘I am Yvain, who love you more than any man in the whole wide world, for you have always been fond of me”’ (De Troyes, 74) . The two companions seize their duel, however they begin to quarrel about who won the fight. Both men refuse to admit that they have won and agree that the other man is the winner. However, they are not in a heavily heated argument, on the contrary, they have a fairly physically affectionate relationship.
“Thus saying, he got down from his horse, and they threw their arms about each other's neck, kissing each other, and each continuing to assert that it is he who has met defeat” (De Troyes, 74) .
Image: Average greeting between Knights
However, they are not in a heavily heated argument, on the contrary, they have a fairly physically affectionate relationship. While it is important to note that the 12th-century knight's code of chivalry is quite different than the relationship between friends in 2024, however, there appears to be an almost romantic relationship between the two knights. This will be discussed later in the article.
Eventually, King Arthur steps in and asks the knights about what on earth happened. They explain the situation of their mistaken identities and they still refuse to admit defeat over their best bud. Arthur is soon won over by “the sight of them in each other's arms” (De Troyes, 75). Which is totally not gay at all bro. Arthur agrees to honor both knights for their heroism and admits that "there is deep affection between you two” (De Troyes, 75). The men are incredibly happy at this prospect and if case you were wondering, the Young Sister gains the inheritance.
It is important to note that the conflict is never resolved by combat. Arthur peacefully negotiates for the Young Sister because both knights are willing to break their promise to fight if it means that they will duel their best ‘friend.’ It is specifically put in the following: “Under normal circumstances, it seems logical to appoint new champions to conclude the dispute, as trial by arms is often decided by divine guidance. In this case, however, the dilemma is not a moral one, and the knight gains more honor through this deed” (Han, 2010).
“Manly Bro Stuff”
One of the fascinating themes of the section is the relationship between Gawain and Yvain. It is blatantly clear that they have a very close relationship, one that could almost be described as romantic. The following quotes reveal the very intense love that both these characters have for each other.
“Then do they not love each other now?.. In truth…Gawain loves Yvain and regards him as his companion, and so does Yvain…Even here, if he knew who he was, he would make much of him, and either one of them would lay down his head for the other before he would allow any harm to come to him. Is not that a perfect and lofty love? Yes, surely.” (De Troyes, 71)
“The enemies are these very men who love each other with such a holy love for love, which is neither false nor feigned, is a precious and a holy thing. In this case, Love is completely blind, and Hate, too, is deprived of sight. For if Love had recognized these two men, he must have forbidden each to attack the other or to do anything to cause him harm. In this respect, then, Love is blind and discomfited and beguiled; for, though he sees them, he fails to recognize those who rightly belong to him.” (De Troyes, 71)
“In that case, no blow would have been dealt with lance or sword; they would have kissed and embraced each other rather than sought each other's harm” (De Troyes, 72)
Image: Average greeting between Knights
Conclusion
Overall, the beautiful relationship between Gawain and Yvain does have some relation to the story of Spamalot, in regards to the marriage of Herbert and Lancelot. While Herbert is a blatant subversion of the ‘damsel in distress’ archetype, the homoerotic subtext of the relationship between the two knights is quite similar to Herbert and Lancelot. Also, while throughout the production, we have seen Lancelot be aggressive and manly, however, once he meets Herbert, he is finally able to truly be himself. When both Gawain and Yvain lay down their weapons, this reveals who they truly are, two dudes being bros.