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The observance of Lent is the very badge of the Christian warfare. By it we prove ourselves not to be enemies of the cross of Christ.
– Pope Benedict XIV (Non ambigimus, 30th May 1741)
Lent approaches and forty days of spiritual warfare in the desert await. An ancient legend of a holy warrior – once known throughout Christendom but now largely lost to the mists of time – may give us a reminder of what is expected from men in preparation for the Paschal feast.
The Setting
Warwick is an historic English town on the banks of the River Avon. The mighty ramparts and towers of Warwick Castle still dominate the medieval streets of the old town. The serene waters of the River Avon flow underneath this castle and, a few miles along this river, we find Stratford, the home of the great bard of England: Shakespeare. The lush and peaceful Warwickshire countryside that lies between Warwick and Stratford provided the inspiration for The Shire in the works of Tolkien. Catholic England was once as familiar with Warwick’s most famous son as it was with Sherwood Forest’s Robin Hood. It is possible that the legendary Guy of Warwick was one of the many casualties of the Protestant Revolution.
The Legend
Lady Felice was the most beautiful maiden in England and devout in the Faith. Her father, Rohold, was the Earl of Warwick. Many noble men sought the hand of Lady Felice in marriage but none were found virtuous or holy enough. The Cup-Bearer for the Earl was Guy. He was a handsome and strong youth. One day, he was ordered to serve Lady Felice at a feast. He was amazed at her beauty and elegance and fell deeply in love. He kept his love secret in his heart.
Rohold held a tournament and promised that the victor would marry his daughter. Knights from all over England came to Warwick to prove their valour and skill. A mysterious knight defeated all competition but would not reveal himself until he won the tournament. Earl Rohold demanded to know his name and the whole court watched as the knight slowly removed his helmet. To the astonishment of all, the mysterious knight was none other than the low-born servant, Guy. Earl Rohold was furious but Lady Felice, secretly in love with the handsome youth, reminded her father of his promise. Earl Rohold dubbed Guy a knight but ordered him to prove his worth by further victories. Lady Felice promised Sir Guy that she would await his safe return and gave him a gold ring to remind him of their love.
In those times, a giant cow rampaged through Warwickshire. The Dun Cow grew bigger and more ferocious as its appetite swelled. It started by eating plants in the field but soon began to eat livestock and then the children of local farmers. The good people of Warwickshire quaked with fear as they heard the Dun Cow approach.
Sir Guy pledged his love to Lady Felice, mounted a horse and rode immediately to defeat the Dun Cow. He found the beast outside of a village and heard the screams of the villagers. The fearsome animal had engorged itself to enormous size and the moorland shook beneath its feet. Before it could attack the villagers, Sir Guy rode underneath the giant belly and slit the cow from head to tail with his sword. The Dun Cow let out a fearsome roar and fell dead to the ground. The villagers cheered Sir Guy and followed him back to the castle. He expected Earl Rohold to greet him warmly but, to his surprise, the Earl said that this victory was not enough. Earl Rohold ordered Sir Guy to travel further afield to achieve greater glory and prove he was worthy of the love of Lady Felice.
Lady Felice wept as she saw brave Sir Guy ride away into the sunset. This knight-errant travelled through Europe and had many adventures. He always fought for justice and the Faith and so, like all true knights are eventually compelled to do, he took his sword to the Holy Land. He battled valiantly against the Saracens and was a hero to the Christians there. No champion of the Saracens could be found to defeat Sir Guy. Thus, a wicked sorcerer, disciple of the devil, called upon demonic powers to defeat the brave knight and, from the depths of hell, a dragon duly arose who put fear in the heart of all Christians. Sir Guy, quivering with fear, heard Mass for what he thought was the last time. He praised the Trinity and asked the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Michael to assist him in this battle. He rode to meet the dragon who killed Sir Guy’s horse with his first strike. The second blow broke Sir Guy’s shield and a final swipe from the dragon’s tail broke his sword as he fell wounded to the ground. The dragon stood over Sir Guy with an evil glint in his eye and let out a blood-curdling hiss of victory. Bleeding and defenceless, Sir Guy called out the name of Jesus. The dragon took a step back and, seizing the opportunity, Sir Guy drove the shaft of his broken sword into the dragon’s heart and watched it die.
Priests from Jerusalem found Sir Guy underneath the remains of the dragon. His lifeless and pale body was thought beyond healing. They lay his body in the Holy Sepulchre and, day by day, he gradually regained his strength. The Christians there begged him to stay but, after many years and many more battles, he rode home to England wishing to marry his beloved Lady Felice and live in peace.
An army of pagans had invaded England just a few weeks before. They raped and pillaged their way from the coast and were led by Colbrand. Colbrand was a fearsome giant of a man who was undefeated in battle. No Christian warrior could be found to vanquish him and even brave Christians began to run away in fear. When Colbrand saw this, he blasphemed and spat curses at the Lord, the Holy Mother and the saints. Sir Guy heard of the insults of the pagan champion and went to his camp. He prayed silently as the giant strode towards him. He gave the giant a chance to repent of his blasphemy and leave in peace. The pagan swung his axe at Sir Guy and wounded him. All day the battle raged until Sir Guy, calling upon the name of the Lord, beheaded the giant and the pagan army fled in panic.
Sir Guy, wounded and sickened by death and violence, removed his armour and weapons. Clad only in rags he walked towards the gate of Warwick Castle. Lady Felice had kept her promise of chastity and spent her time caring for the poor. She was helping the poor at the gate and Sir Guy lifted his eyes towards her. Instead of recognition she looked on him with compassion and asked one of her ladies to assist the wounded man. Sir Guy went to the riverside and looked at his reflection – instead of the handsome young youth he now saw the scars and ravages of a broken man.
In a cliff near to Warwick there lived a hermit. Sir Guy went to the hermit’s cave for consolation. When he entered the cave, he found the hermit near to death and prayed with him until the hermit died. Sir Guy then assumed the duties of the hermit and spent his days in prayer. One day, Lady Felice visited the hermit and asked to pray. When the hermit lifted his hand, she saw her ring on his finger and at last recognised Sir Guy as the hermit. His wounds then at last defeated him and they prayed together before he died a few minutes later.[1]
Spiritual Warfare
This ancient legend still marks the Warwickshire landscape. Ryton-On-Dunsmore is just one village that remembers the Dun Cow, Guy’s Tower at Warwick Castle is a tourist attraction and Guy’s Cliffe, site of the hermit’s cave, is a few miles outside of Warwick.
Perhaps more important for the modern Catholic is the impact that this legend may have had across Christendom and the reasons why it was so popular. It is certainly not the most well-known example of the slaying of dragons, beasts or giants – Ss Michael, George and David orate pro nobis! – but perhaps the Lenten connection explains the popularity of Sir Guy in medieval times. Did this ancient tale inspire our Catholic forefathers to renewed battle against the world, the flesh and the Evil One? And can we speculate that the Catholic ethos at the centre of this tale of chaste love and spiritual warfare resulted in the loss of popularity after the apostasy was victorious in England?
The Dun Cow represents a grotesque and unbound appetite – may the Lord grant us the virtue of fasting during Lent.
The Dragon represents the power of the Devil – may the Lord grant us the virtue of prayer during Lent.
The Giant represents the false power and pride of the world – may the Lord grant us the virtue of alms-giving during Lent.
Christian knights of the modern age: may the legend of Sir Guy of Warwick inspire us during Lent, that we may prove ourselves not to be enemies of the Cross of Christ, to the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and with the intercession of the Blessed Theotokos, St Michael and all the angels and saints.
Martyrs of Warwick, orate pro nobis.
[1] The author is grateful for this version of Guy’s tale as given to him by a true son of Warwickshire. Deo Fidelis et Regi.