Bertilak de Hautdesert

Bertilak de Hautdesert is the lord of the castle who hosts Sir Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, later revealed as the Green Knight himself. He dominates the poem's middle sections as a figure of imposing physicality, generous hospitality, and formidable hunting prowess, while his identity as the supernatural challenger structures the entire narrative.

Bertilak first appears when Gawain arrives at the castle: "the lord of the household came forth from his chamber to meet the hero fitly," declaring that all within is Gawain's own (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part II, How Sir Gawain was welcomed). He is described as a man "of mighty stature" and "of high age," with "a broad flowing beard of bright hue," who was "stalwart of limb, and strong in his stride, his face fiery red, and his speech free" -- "in sooth he seemed one well fitted to be a leader of valiant men" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part II, How Sir Gawain was welcomed). When Gawain reveals his name, "the lord of the castle heard those tidings he laughed aloud for gladness, and all men in that keep were joyful" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part II, Sir Gawain tells his name).

The exchange covenant is the narrative engine of the poem's third part. Bertilak proposes that "whatever he wins in the wood shall be Gawain's, and whatever may fall to your share, that shall ye exchange" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part II, Sir Gawain makes a covenant with his host). The bargain is sealed with wine: "Bring hither the wine-cup, the bargain is made," the lord declares (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part II, Sir Gawain makes a covenant with his host). The "old lord oft repeated their covenant, for he knew well how to make sport" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part II, Sir Gawain makes a covenant with his host).

The three hunting days form the poem's structural centrepiece. On the first day, Bertilak rises early: "he ate a sop hastily when he had heard Mass, and then with blast of the bugle fared forth to the field" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, The first day's hunting). He has forbidden the killing of harts and stags but drives "hinds and does into the valleys" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, The first day's hunting), passing "the day in mirth and joyfulness, even to nightfall" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, The first day's hunting). He chases "the hinds through holt and heath till eventide, and then with much blowing of bugles and baying of hounds" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, How the lady kissed Sir Gawain). At the day's end, he gives Gawain all the spoil "by accord of covenant" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, How the covenant was kept) and is "fain to know" where Gawain won his favour, but Gawain replies it was "not in the bond" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, How the covenant was kept).

The second day's hunt targets a boar. Bertilak leaves "by the third cockcrow" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, Of the second day's hunting) and pursues the beast on "a swift steed," blowing his bugle "as a gallant knight he rode through the woodland" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, Of the second day's hunting). The boar hunt culminates in direct personal combat: the lord "sprang to the ground and drew out a bright blade, and waded through the stream to the boar" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, How the boar was slain). The boar leaps upon him, but Bertilak drives "his brand to the beast's chest, and drove it up to the hilt, so that the heart was split in twain" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, How the boar was slain). The huntsmen bear the head before the lord on the way home, while he seems "impatient to see Gawain" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part III, How the boar was slain). Displaying the spoil, he declares the boar's head is "Gawain's own by sure covenant" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The keeping of the covenant). Gawain's return offering of two kisses prompts the lord's appreciation: "By S. Giles, ye are the best I know; ye will be rich in a short space if ye drive such bargains!" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The keeping of the covenant).

The third day features a fox hunt. Reynard proves "wily, and he turned and doubled upon them, and led the lord and his men over the hills" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Of the third day's hunting). The lord chases through a spinney until Reynard "came creeping through a thick grove" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The death of the fox). Bertilak draws "his shining brand, and cast it at the beast" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The death of the fox), then "leapt from his saddle, and caught the fox from their jaws, and held it aloft over his head, and hallooed loudly" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The death of the fox). At the exchange, the lord confesses he has "hunted all day, and naught have I got but this foul fox-skin, and that is but poor payment for three such kisses" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant).

The lord twice tested Gawain and "found ye true, and the morrow shall be the third time" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The keeping of the covenant). He swears "as a true knight" to bring Gawain to the Green Chapel on New Year's morn (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The keeping of the covenant) and provides a servant to lead him there "by the downs, that he should have no need to ford the stream" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant). The lord affirms his faithfulness: "all that ever I promised, that shall I keep with good will" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant).

The revelation comes in Part IV, where the Green Knight declares his name: "de Hautdesert am I called in this land" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part IV, How the marvel was wrought). The text's closing note observes that the name "Bernlak de Hautdesert, seems to point to the original French source of the story" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part IV, The end of the tale).