Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle

King Arthur is out hunting with his men. Whilst resting at the hunting station, an impressive hart appears before them, and they make chase after it. Going ahead alone, Arthur becomes separated from the rest of the party. Entering into a clearing, he is confronted by a strange, armed man. The man, called Sir Gromer, claims to have been grievously wronged by Arthur, as he has gifted Gromer’s lands to Sir Gawain. As recompense, Gromer demands that Arthur meet him back at that spot in one year, having successfully obtained the answer to the question of what women most love and value in this world.

Arthur returns to Carlisle and tells Gawain about Sir Gromer's challenge. At Gawain's suggestion, the pair separate and ride through the country, collecting answers in a book. With a month to go, Arthur returns to Ingleswood and meets a monstrously ugly woman, Dame Ragnelle. She promises to give Arthur the correct answer, on the condition that he marries her to Sir Gawain. Arthur reluctantly consults Gawain, who agrees because of his love for the king. Arthur returns to the forest once more, where Ragnelle tells him that all women want 'sovereignty'.

When the year is up, Arthur returns to Sir Gromer and gives him his answer. The knight curses Ragnelle, his sister, for helping the king, but has to admit that he is right. Ragnelle returns to Carlisle with Arthur and insists on a lavish marriage in front of the whole court. Everyone marvels at her ugliness as she devours the splendid wedding banquet. The couple retire and Ragnelle rebukes Gawain for his lack of sexual desire. He turns to find his wife transformed into a beautiful woman. She offers him a choice: she can be beautiful either at night or during the day. Gawain cannot decide, and tells his wife to make the decision. Delighted, she informs him that he has broken an enchantment placed on her by her stepmother: now that the best knight in England has given her sovereignty, she can be beautiful all the time. The couple go to bed.

When Arthur checks on Gawain the next day, the knight shows him his beautiful wife. The king rejoices, and tells the court about Sir Gromer. Ragnelle promises to obey Gawain in all things, and asks Arthur to be good to her brother; everyone agrees that she is the fairest lady at the court. She and Gawain have a son, Gyngolyn, and live in perfect harmony for five years until she dies. The poem concludes with a prayer that its author be released from prison.

Edition used for plot summary: Sands, Middle English Verse Romances (1986).