Chapter Gawain to Geloios of G by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Gawain to Geloios

Gawain [Gaw’n], son of king Lot and Morgause (Arthur’s sister). His brothers were Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth. The traitor Mordred was his half-brother, being the adulterous offspring of Morgause and prince Arthur. Lot was king of Orkney. Gawain was the second of the fifty knights created by king Arthur; Tor was the first, and was dubbed the same day (pt. i. 48). When the adulterous passion of sir Launcelot for queen Guenever came to the knowledge of the king, sir Gawain insisted that the king’s honour should be upheld. Accordingly, king Arthur went in battle array to Benwicke (Brittany), the “realm of sir Launcelot,” and proclaimed war. Here sir Gawain fell, according to the prophecy of Merlin, “With this sword shall Launcelot slay the man that in this world he loved best” (pt. i. 44). In this same battle the king was told that his bastard son Mordred had usurped his throne, so he hastened back with all speed, and in the great battle of the West received his mortal wound (pt. iii. 160–167).—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur (1470).

(Of Arthurian knights, Gawain is called the “Courteous,” sir Kay the “Rude and Boastful,” Mordred the “Treacherous,” Launcelot the “Chivalrous,” Galahad the “Chaste,” Mark the “Dastard,” sir Palomidesthe “Saracen” i.e. unbaptized, etc.)

Gawky (Lord), Richard Grenville (1711–1770).

Gawrey, a flying woman, whose wings served the double purpose of flying and dress.—Pultock: Peter Wilkins (1750).

Gay (Lucien), in lord Beaconsfield’s Coningsby, said to be meant for Theodore Hook (1844).

Gay (Walter), in the firm of Dombey and Son. An honest, frank, ingenuous youth, who loved Florence Dombey, and comforted her in her early troubles. Walter Gay was sent in the merchantman called The Son and Heir, as junior partner, to Barbadoes, and survived a shipwreck. After his return from Barbadoes, he married Florence.—Dickens: Dombey and Son (1846).

Gayless (Charles), the pennyless suitor of Melissa. His valet is Sharp.—Garrick: The Lying Valet (1741).

Gayville (Lord), the affianced husband of Miss Alscrip “the heiress,” whom he detests; but he ardently loves Miss Alton, her companion. The former is conceited, overbearing, and vulgar, but very rich; the latter is modest, retiring, and lady-like, but very poor. It turns out that £2000 a year of “the heiress’s” property was entailed on sir William Charlton’s heirs, and therefore descended to Mr. Clifford in right of his mother. This money Mr. Clifford settles on his sister, Miss Alton (whose real name is Clifford). Sir Clement Flint tears the conveyance, whereby Clifford retains the £2000 a year, and sir Clement settles the same amount on lord Gayville, who marries Miss Alton alias Miss Clifford.

Lady Emily Gayville, sister of lord Gayville. A bright, vivacious, and witty lady, who loves Mr. Clifford. Clifford also greatly loves lady Emily, but is deterred from proposing to her, because he is poor and unequal to her in a social position. It turns out that he comes into £2000 a year in right of his mother, lady Charlton; and is thus enabled to offer himself to the lady, by whom he is accepted.—Burgoyne: The Heiress (1781).

Gazban, the black slave of the old fire-worshipper, employed to sacrifice the Mussulmans to be offered on the “mountain of fire.”—Arabian Nights (“Amgiad and Assad”).

Gazette (Sir Gregory), a man who delights in news, without having the slightest comprehension of politics.—Foote: The Knights (1754).

Gazingi (Miss), of the Portsmouth Theatre.—Dickens: Nicholas Nickleby (1838).

Gaznivides , a Persian dynasty, which gave four kings and lasted fifty years. It was founded by Mahmoud Gazni (999-1049).