Gawain and the Green Knight

Description

For wonder of his hwe men hade, / Set in his semblaunt sene; / He ferde as freke were fade, / And oueral enker-grene.
~~~~~
Men for wonder beheld his hue / seen set in his appearance; / He was as hostile as a demon [and] frightened [them], / And [was] overall vividly green.
 
Unknown, British Library MS Cotton Nero A X/2
Translation by the Head Librarian

Scent: A Blameless Knight - Essential oil blend of blood orange, ylang ylang, and juniper berry
Texture: Vellum [New!]

Book Context
One New Year's Eve, King Arthur's feast is interrupted by a strange Green Knight who challenges a worthy opponent to a friendly game: they may strike a blow to the Green Knight using his axe, so long as the Green Knight may return the blow in a year and a day.  Young Gawain accepts the challenge, and after the knight is beheaded he picks up his head and reminds Gawain of their agreement.  Gawain then goes on an adventure to meet back up with the Green Knight and keep his agreement.

Notes on Charms and Add-Ins
The Green Knight enters King Arthur's hall carrying only two items - an axe and a bough of holly. In the Middle Ages, the bright red of the holly berries represented light and warmth in the midst of Winter.

Notes on Texture
A new invention from the Library!  This texture is named vellum, after the medieval parchment that inspired it.  It is light, slightly jiggly, and has real cotton paper in it to give it a very unique feel.

Notes on Scent
This scent is pleasantly floral, with sweet and bitter blood orange to remind you of the bloody game Gawain has agreed to, and earthy juniper berry lingering in the background.

Notes on the Book Cover
The story of Gawain and Green Knight comes from a single manuscript written circa 1400 in England.  This incredible manuscript contains full page illustrations, and I just had to include one of them on the cover - this one shows the feast at King Arthur's court after Gawain beheads the Green Knight.  This manuscript also contains three other poems that are classics of Medieval literature: Pearl, Cleanness, and Patience.

Product Details

6oz version comes with axe charm, holly berry beads, leaf glitter, and Pearl, Cleanness, Patience, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight book charm
2oz version comes with holly berry beads, leaf glitter, and Pearl, Cleanness, Patience, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight book charm

All book charms are fully handmade, from design to 3D printing to assembly, by the Head Librarian.