The fifteenth-century romance “Sir Gawain and the Carl of Carlisle” describes the relationship between King Arthur, represented by Sir Gawain, and the Carl of Carlisle. By passing a series of tests Sir Gawain proves he is willing to accept the Carl's sovereignty within the latter's home. In return, the hitherto hostile Carl adopts a friendly attitude towards the knight and accepts the sovereignty of the King. This can be regarded as a political bargain between two classes of society, the nobility and the commoners. It expresses a commitment by each party to respect the other's rights and thereby to restore order.