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A selection from: THE FLOWER OF KNIGHTHOOD
(or, Sir Gawain’s Shield)
“Fairest flower of England’s dream Chivalry’s not dead, ‘twould seem.”
Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
X To Order Books: www.fleurdamour.us/books.html Writer’s Weblog: www.parsifalshorse.blogspot.com
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
DOMINE DIRIGE NOS
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
THE FLOWER OF KNIGHTHOOD (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield)
X by Susan Brooks Upon a time of Christmastide, All Camelot gathered beside The fire in the feasting hall. Laughter rang up to the tall And timbered ceiling of the room. The sun’s return allowed no gloom. Midwinter’s merried tales and singing Mirrored hope the light was bringing. In the home of heroes all, King Arthur gave a Christmas ball. The dancing carried on for days Before a scene of games and play. Gifts were exchanged, glances, too, As men who fancied ladies threw Their energy to woo the fair With hilarity and flair. Wreaths of braided evergreen Decorated. Hung between The rafters was a swing of stars, Strung by a wish of Guinevere. She had planned the pretty trimmings And the bounty of the brimming Brace of tables trestled full Of game and honey-sweetened apples. Oaten loaves of autumn’s grain Groaned the larder with their strain. Ne’er was such a feast beheld As the king gave to that guild. In fairness, ‘twas their share of wealth, For ne’er had Britain seen such health Of finance and prosperity. Her ships plied across the sea Bringing matter fit to boast Back to the isle’s every coast. To the north, the deep cold water From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
Gave a catch of fish to barter, Salted, taken to the east, There to trade for burden’s beast. The land worked so yielded fruit To be traded to the south, But by far the brightest and best Promise lay far to the west: Past the green land, past the sea, Lay a vast and newfound country, Espied by a noble Welshman After granted with a vision Of a vineyard flowing over With a growth so ripe and pure It gave a purple majesty To the very air. Verily, ‘Twas a paradise. Unsettled Did it seem. A test of mettle Would it be to send a fleet On a mission to complete A survey and a mapping. Signs Of exploration seemed benign, Yet ‘twas unknown who or what Could dwell there, so the kingdom sought To discover all the secrets That had not been yielded yet By that land and any more To be found past farther shores. With such a sense of limitless Potential, the court greeted Christmas. Their gifts were the love’s reflection Of the greater benediction And the blessings of their Lord. His life filled the feasting board With the wine and with the bread. O’er His body prayers were said Of thanks for His nativity, Brought to bear by Mother Mary To stand all the sins of man, Borne so by the love of woman. Arthur watched his Guinevere. Never had she seemed so dear Or deft. She glimmered as a pearl In the gaiety, a girl From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
Of great and charming gratefulness To her god. She seemed a goddess There below the holly boughs Set to either side in rows, Arching in a forested Arcade, an indoor faery glade. Merlin had enchanted them To rustle with a windy whim As though ‘twere standing out of doors. Upon their leaves the starlight poured From the ceiling. Magic shimmer Worked with a bewitching whisper To conjure there a wonderland With a trace of winter’s hand In the snow that melted not, No matter the hall grew quite hot. Guinevere wore a white kirtle With green sleeves and with a girdle, Too, of the rich Christmas hue. She resembled mistletoe, Fit to kiss. The whited berries Glowed gem-like as her mouth’s merry Smile shone forth. So beauteous seen, Truly she was England’s queen, Bedecked as the countryside, Colored so as land and bride. She split thus the winter’s cold With the coming springtime’s hold, Green potential unseen sowed Deep underneath the season’s snow. A doorway between old and new Was she, and as the seedling grows In the darkness, reaching up, Did she stretch for her Lord’s cup, Overspilling so His mead So to meet her people’s need To celebrate. A joyous carol Rose up as a righteous herald To the rafters, raising voices High into a joyful noise. As the song approached crescendo, Suddenly the door did blow Wide open, hanging on its hinge. From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
In a man rode with a tinge Of green reflected from the branches And the cloth of his steed’s haunches All about his face and form. The nearest men sounded alarum At the natural apparition. He rode straight to Arthur’s station. Strange as ‘twas to bring a horse So into a castle’s course, Still stranger was the man himself: He appeared a woodland elf With the color of the leaves Upon him from his shoes to sleeves. So, too, did his charger wear Trappings of the emerald color, Hanging long to brush the ground And swirl their rustling silk around When his hooves kicked up the snow. Quite impressive was the show Presented by the green-clad pair. The knight dismounted at the stair Leading up to the two thrones. He approached and stood alone And looked King Arthur in the eye And said, “Fain, a challenge would I Set to store by your best knight On your holy Christian night.” Arthur rose then and replied, “Sir, I would you state your need. You are welcome here to join us In our feast, yet so enjoin us To a contest. Would it were A playful sport, though I abjure To make a judgment ‘til I hear What you would put before our prayer.” The knight hefted up an axe With the blade turned front to back, Not to strike, but show the king. “Sir, this instrument I bring. I ask your most worthy man To conform so to my plan: Strike at me and try to sever My head from its seated shoulders. From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
My blood shed can purify And my example edify As to the intended purpose Of this day which you profess To find sacred. The old gods Think your way of worship odd. I would bridge the old and new, Connecting with my crimson flow.” The hall fell a silent place. Bewilderment colored each face, But as none the challenge claimed, To it stepped forth Sir Gawain. “Lord, my liege, if you allow, This knight’s wish I would endow. It seems of import to him. Pray, Dear king, I would hear what you say.” “Gawain, advance then to our guest And so perform at his behest. Green Knight, have you a final want Before Gawain gives you this grant?” “No, Sir, I am satisfied.” With that, he held up the blade And handed it to Sir Gawain, Then knelt in the apt position. Gawain swung the axe above And brought it hard. The sharp blade hove To the right spot, spouting red. The Green Knight then took his head And tucked it under his right arm. It seemed not to have done a harm Of lasting sort, the noble knight’s Sure blow, but instead set to rights Something in his nature’s balance. “Come to my keep one year hence. Anon a week, on the new year, I’ll strike a symmetry familiar: In my Green Chapel shall we meet. There my blade will give its greet To your flesh, your spirit’s home As it rounds its earthly roam.” With those words, the knight remounted. Headless, he seemed not affronted, Rather happy. The doors swung From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
Behind him, closing with a clang. The guests gazed ‘round at each other, Then drew closer so to gather To Gawain, the courtliest Of their order. Yea, ‘twas best That he had served the strange desire Of their uncanny visitor. His manners were above reproach, Courtesy his way. As such, ‘Twas e’er a ready diplomat For the good of Camelot, Yet the danger to his person Would, as the year passed, mere worsen. What was meant by the wyrd man When he’d outlined his equation? Blow for blow set half to rights, The next to fall upon the knight So endeared in their esteem. ‘Twas a most perplexing game, Clear in rules and round of order, Yet not in its make of martyr Could a meaning be divined Straightaway. Fitted to find Its purpose was the knight Gawain: Would he stand or yet be slain?
X
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
X Susan Brooks felt a calling from childhood to become a writer and to explore topics in folklore and mythology. She developed her vocation while studying art history at the University of Texas at Austin, an experience which gave her the skills for research and scholarly composition that would form the basis for the creation of her own original material inspired by the Arthurian tradition. After graduation, she applied herself to her creative interests, writing music and poetry and working as a journalist in the arts in both Austin and in New York City, where she composed The Flower of Knighthood and other works on her daily commute across New York Harbor. Her other interests include medieval studies, history of the ancient world, theology, and Jungian psychology. Susan currently lives in Los Angeles where she resides in an artist’s community and continues to pursue her creative work. The Flower of Knighthood is her first book, and the first volume in a series based on Arthurian literature. Forthcoming titles include The Engagement of Sir Gawain, Parsifal (or, The Holy Boy), and The Romance of Arthur.
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
THE FLOWER OF KNIGHTHOOD
(or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) Based on the epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Flower of Knighthood re-tells the story of the young hero Gawain as a parable of self-development. In his quest and contest with the mysterious and supernatural Green Knight, Gawain attains his manhood through the timeless courtly values of courtesy, sacrifice and faith. His service to King Arthur and his chivalric love for the Lady Fflur are the vehicles for his transformation, a catalyst which unites inner and outer worlds through the achievement of his own psychological wholeness.
X Susan Brooks has felt a keen interest in the Arthurian tradition since childhood. She began her scholarly research into the topic while earning a degree in art history from the University of Texas at Austin, and has continued independent studies ever since. “As a person of British extraction and an artist with a lifelong bardic calling to music and verse, the Matter of Britain seems my birthright. The material evolved over centuries of social history in Great Britain, and was disseminated throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, eventually reaching a global audience in the modern era. The legends are timeless and universal due to their powerful archetypal content, appealing to anyone who possesses a sense of romance and adventure. I felt drawn to compose poetry on the subject as part of my own creative quest, and I found Gawain’s story provided a perfect symbol for spiritual progress. I have grown to love this great knight as a sublime marker of masculine devotion and divinity, and will revisit him in future volumes.”
X Forthcoming Titles In This Series: The Engagement of Sir Gawain Parsifal (or, The Holy Boy) The Romance of Arthur From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
(or, Sir Gawain’s Shield)
“Fairest flower of England’s dream Chivalry’s not dead, ‘twould seem.”
Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
X To Order Books: www.fleurdamour.us/books.html Writer’s Weblog: www.parsifalshorse.blogspot.com
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
DOMINE DIRIGE NOS
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
THE FLOWER OF KNIGHTHOOD (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield)
X by Susan Brooks Upon a time of Christmastide, All Camelot gathered beside The fire in the feasting hall. Laughter rang up to the tall And timbered ceiling of the room. The sun’s return allowed no gloom. Midwinter’s merried tales and singing Mirrored hope the light was bringing. In the home of heroes all, King Arthur gave a Christmas ball. The dancing carried on for days Before a scene of games and play. Gifts were exchanged, glances, too, As men who fancied ladies threw Their energy to woo the fair With hilarity and flair. Wreaths of braided evergreen Decorated. Hung between The rafters was a swing of stars, Strung by a wish of Guinevere. She had planned the pretty trimmings And the bounty of the brimming Brace of tables trestled full Of game and honey-sweetened apples. Oaten loaves of autumn’s grain Groaned the larder with their strain. Ne’er was such a feast beheld As the king gave to that guild. In fairness, ‘twas their share of wealth, For ne’er had Britain seen such health Of finance and prosperity. Her ships plied across the sea Bringing matter fit to boast Back to the isle’s every coast. To the north, the deep cold water From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
Gave a catch of fish to barter, Salted, taken to the east, There to trade for burden’s beast. The land worked so yielded fruit To be traded to the south, But by far the brightest and best Promise lay far to the west: Past the green land, past the sea, Lay a vast and newfound country, Espied by a noble Welshman After granted with a vision Of a vineyard flowing over With a growth so ripe and pure It gave a purple majesty To the very air. Verily, ‘Twas a paradise. Unsettled Did it seem. A test of mettle Would it be to send a fleet On a mission to complete A survey and a mapping. Signs Of exploration seemed benign, Yet ‘twas unknown who or what Could dwell there, so the kingdom sought To discover all the secrets That had not been yielded yet By that land and any more To be found past farther shores. With such a sense of limitless Potential, the court greeted Christmas. Their gifts were the love’s reflection Of the greater benediction And the blessings of their Lord. His life filled the feasting board With the wine and with the bread. O’er His body prayers were said Of thanks for His nativity, Brought to bear by Mother Mary To stand all the sins of man, Borne so by the love of woman. Arthur watched his Guinevere. Never had she seemed so dear Or deft. She glimmered as a pearl In the gaiety, a girl From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
Of great and charming gratefulness To her god. She seemed a goddess There below the holly boughs Set to either side in rows, Arching in a forested Arcade, an indoor faery glade. Merlin had enchanted them To rustle with a windy whim As though ‘twere standing out of doors. Upon their leaves the starlight poured From the ceiling. Magic shimmer Worked with a bewitching whisper To conjure there a wonderland With a trace of winter’s hand In the snow that melted not, No matter the hall grew quite hot. Guinevere wore a white kirtle With green sleeves and with a girdle, Too, of the rich Christmas hue. She resembled mistletoe, Fit to kiss. The whited berries Glowed gem-like as her mouth’s merry Smile shone forth. So beauteous seen, Truly she was England’s queen, Bedecked as the countryside, Colored so as land and bride. She split thus the winter’s cold With the coming springtime’s hold, Green potential unseen sowed Deep underneath the season’s snow. A doorway between old and new Was she, and as the seedling grows In the darkness, reaching up, Did she stretch for her Lord’s cup, Overspilling so His mead So to meet her people’s need To celebrate. A joyous carol Rose up as a righteous herald To the rafters, raising voices High into a joyful noise. As the song approached crescendo, Suddenly the door did blow Wide open, hanging on its hinge. From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
In a man rode with a tinge Of green reflected from the branches And the cloth of his steed’s haunches All about his face and form. The nearest men sounded alarum At the natural apparition. He rode straight to Arthur’s station. Strange as ‘twas to bring a horse So into a castle’s course, Still stranger was the man himself: He appeared a woodland elf With the color of the leaves Upon him from his shoes to sleeves. So, too, did his charger wear Trappings of the emerald color, Hanging long to brush the ground And swirl their rustling silk around When his hooves kicked up the snow. Quite impressive was the show Presented by the green-clad pair. The knight dismounted at the stair Leading up to the two thrones. He approached and stood alone And looked King Arthur in the eye And said, “Fain, a challenge would I Set to store by your best knight On your holy Christian night.” Arthur rose then and replied, “Sir, I would you state your need. You are welcome here to join us In our feast, yet so enjoin us To a contest. Would it were A playful sport, though I abjure To make a judgment ‘til I hear What you would put before our prayer.” The knight hefted up an axe With the blade turned front to back, Not to strike, but show the king. “Sir, this instrument I bring. I ask your most worthy man To conform so to my plan: Strike at me and try to sever My head from its seated shoulders. From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
My blood shed can purify And my example edify As to the intended purpose Of this day which you profess To find sacred. The old gods Think your way of worship odd. I would bridge the old and new, Connecting with my crimson flow.” The hall fell a silent place. Bewilderment colored each face, But as none the challenge claimed, To it stepped forth Sir Gawain. “Lord, my liege, if you allow, This knight’s wish I would endow. It seems of import to him. Pray, Dear king, I would hear what you say.” “Gawain, advance then to our guest And so perform at his behest. Green Knight, have you a final want Before Gawain gives you this grant?” “No, Sir, I am satisfied.” With that, he held up the blade And handed it to Sir Gawain, Then knelt in the apt position. Gawain swung the axe above And brought it hard. The sharp blade hove To the right spot, spouting red. The Green Knight then took his head And tucked it under his right arm. It seemed not to have done a harm Of lasting sort, the noble knight’s Sure blow, but instead set to rights Something in his nature’s balance. “Come to my keep one year hence. Anon a week, on the new year, I’ll strike a symmetry familiar: In my Green Chapel shall we meet. There my blade will give its greet To your flesh, your spirit’s home As it rounds its earthly roam.” With those words, the knight remounted. Headless, he seemed not affronted, Rather happy. The doors swung From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
Behind him, closing with a clang. The guests gazed ‘round at each other, Then drew closer so to gather To Gawain, the courtliest Of their order. Yea, ‘twas best That he had served the strange desire Of their uncanny visitor. His manners were above reproach, Courtesy his way. As such, ‘Twas e’er a ready diplomat For the good of Camelot, Yet the danger to his person Would, as the year passed, mere worsen. What was meant by the wyrd man When he’d outlined his equation? Blow for blow set half to rights, The next to fall upon the knight So endeared in their esteem. ‘Twas a most perplexing game, Clear in rules and round of order, Yet not in its make of martyr Could a meaning be divined Straightaway. Fitted to find Its purpose was the knight Gawain: Would he stand or yet be slain?
X
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
X Susan Brooks felt a calling from childhood to become a writer and to explore topics in folklore and mythology. She developed her vocation while studying art history at the University of Texas at Austin, an experience which gave her the skills for research and scholarly composition that would form the basis for the creation of her own original material inspired by the Arthurian tradition. After graduation, she applied herself to her creative interests, writing music and poetry and working as a journalist in the arts in both Austin and in New York City, where she composed The Flower of Knighthood and other works on her daily commute across New York Harbor. Her other interests include medieval studies, history of the ancient world, theology, and Jungian psychology. Susan currently lives in Los Angeles where she resides in an artist’s community and continues to pursue her creative work. The Flower of Knighthood is her first book, and the first volume in a series based on Arthurian literature. Forthcoming titles include The Engagement of Sir Gawain, Parsifal (or, The Holy Boy), and The Romance of Arthur.
From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
THE FLOWER OF KNIGHTHOOD
(or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) Based on the epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Flower of Knighthood re-tells the story of the young hero Gawain as a parable of self-development. In his quest and contest with the mysterious and supernatural Green Knight, Gawain attains his manhood through the timeless courtly values of courtesy, sacrifice and faith. His service to King Arthur and his chivalric love for the Lady Fflur are the vehicles for his transformation, a catalyst which unites inner and outer worlds through the achievement of his own psychological wholeness.
X Susan Brooks has felt a keen interest in the Arthurian tradition since childhood. She began her scholarly research into the topic while earning a degree in art history from the University of Texas at Austin, and has continued independent studies ever since. “As a person of British extraction and an artist with a lifelong bardic calling to music and verse, the Matter of Britain seems my birthright. The material evolved over centuries of social history in Great Britain, and was disseminated throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, eventually reaching a global audience in the modern era. The legends are timeless and universal due to their powerful archetypal content, appealing to anyone who possesses a sense of romance and adventure. I felt drawn to compose poetry on the subject as part of my own creative quest, and I found Gawain’s story provided a perfect symbol for spiritual progress. I have grown to love this great knight as a sublime marker of masculine devotion and divinity, and will revisit him in future volumes.”
X Forthcoming Titles In This Series: The Engagement of Sir Gawain Parsifal (or, The Holy Boy) The Romance of Arthur From The Flower of Knighthood (or, Sir Gawain’s Shield) by Susan Brooks. Copyright © 2006 by Susan Brooks. All rights reserved. (United States Library of Congress Registration Number: TXu-1-316-400)
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