Green Knight of the story turns him green. He tests Moses three times by doing seemingly evil acts, which are eventually revealed to be noble deeds to prevent greater evils or reveal great goods. Both the Arthurian Green Knight and Al-Khidr serve as teachers to holy and upright men (Gawain/Moses), who thrice tested their faith and obedience. It has been suggested that the character of the Green Knight may be a literary descendant of Al-Khidr, brought to Europe with the Crusaders and blended with Celtic and Arthurian imagery. The beheading game appears in a number of tales, the earliest being the Middle
The Saxon Shore throughout the whole series, have strong personalities. Generally reviews of "The Saxon Shore" are positive, placing particular emphasis on the unique nature in which Whyte draws detail together with entertaining narrative in creating a new interpretation of the Arthurian legend. Frances Reiher comments "Whyte has taken an engaging approach to the long-established character of Merlin. Much that is new and intriguing brightens a legend that in many forms has always been enchanting." Publishers Weekly called the book a "engrossing, highly realistic retelling of the Arthurian legend". Kirkus review compared the novel to Bernard Cornwell's novels series about the Arthurian legend,