“Well,” said the King, “ye shall have meat and drink enough; I never refused that to friend or foe. But what is thy name?”
“I cannot tell you,” said the young man.
“That is strange,” said the King, “that thou knowest not thy name and thou art the goodliest young man that ever I saw.”
Then the King charged Sir Kay, the steward, that he should give the young man meat and drink of the best as though he were a lord’s son.
“There is no need of that,” said Sir Kay, “for I am sure he is of lowly birth. If he had come of gentlemen he would have asked of you horse and armor, but such as he is, so he asketh. And as he hath no name I shall name him Beaumains, that is Fair-hands, and into the kitchen I shall take him.”
Then was Sir Gawain wroth and Sir Lancelot bade Sir Kay stop his mocking of the young man. But Sir Kay bade the young man sit down to meat with the boys of the kitchen and there he ate sadly. And then Sir Lancelot bade him come to his chamber and there he should have meat and drink enough. And this Sir Lancelot did of his great gentleness and courtesy. And Sir Gawain proffered him meat and drink, but he refused them both and thus he was put into the kitchen.
So he endured all that twelvemonth and never displeased man nor child, but always he was meek and kindly. But ever when there was any jousting of knights, that would he see if he might.
So it passed on till the feast of Pentecost. On that day there came a damsel into the hall and saluted the King and prayed for succor for her lady who was besieged in her castle.
“Who is your lady and what is his name who hath besieged her?” asked the King.