Guy of Warwick
Guy of Warwick, or Gui de Warewic, was a legendary English hero whose romantic tales were widely popular throughout England and France from the 13th to 17th centuries, though he has largely faded from modern recognition. Scholars classify Sir Guy's story as part of the "Matter of England"—a body of medieval literature focusing on English legendary and historical figures.
The central narrative follows Guy as he falls in love with the noble lady Felice ("Happiness"), who belongs to a much higher social class. To prove himself worthy of her hand, Guy embarks on a series of chivalric quests and adventures across distant lands, battling extraordinary creatures including dragons, giants, a fearsome Dun Cow (sometimes called "tifmo"), and massive boars. After demonstrating his valor and becoming a knight, he returns to marry Felice.
However, soon after their wedding, Guy becomes deeply remorseful about his violent past. Seeking redemption, he leaves on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Upon his eventual return, he chooses to live anonymously as a hermit rather than reclaim his former status and wealth. Local legend places his hermitage in a cave overlooking the River Avon at a location known as Guy's Cliffe.
In one version of the tale, Guy is described as the son of Siward (or Seguard) of Wallingford who wins the hand of Felice, daughter and heiress of Roalt, Earl of Warwick. During his years of absence, he returns just in time to save Winchester for King Æthelstan from northern invaders led by kings Anelaph (Anlaf or Olaf) and Gonelaph. He accomplishes this by defeating their champion, the giant Colbrand, in single combat—a duel Winchester tradition places at Hyde Mead, near the Abbey. After this final heroic deed, Guy makes his way to Warwick where he becomes one of his own wife's beadsmen (a person employed to pray for another) without revealing his identity. He eventually retreats to a hermitage in the Forest of Arden, only disclosing who he truly is as death approaches, similar to the story of Saint Roch.