In Arthurian legend, Sir Gawain (Gawan, Gawein) features as a knight of the Round Table. A nephew of King Arthur, he was the son of King Lot of Orkney and Lothian. In the Welsh Triads he appears as Gwalchmai ap Gwyar; the Hawk of May.
Gawain is involved in many Romances, the most important of which are Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle . His relationship to Arthur varies from romance to romance, but Thomas Malory and most others make him Arthur's nephew. In one sad romance, Gawain told Pelleas that he would try and persuade Ettard to love him, but betrayed him and bedded Ettard himself. Gawain is sometimes presented as the knight who quests for the Holy Grail, while other tales give that role to Perceval. He is also a brother to Gareth, Gaheris, Agravaine and Mordred.
