Gawain and the Green Knight

One Christmas a knight garbed all in green appears in King Arthurs Court and challenges any knight to hew off his head on the proviso that he be allowed to return the axe stroke afterwards All of King Arthurs other knights being frightened Sir Gawain takes up the challenge and hacks off the green knights head The green knight then gives Gawain a year to find his home and live a little before the cut is returned