# How Sir Tristram was unhorsed and smitten down by Sir Launcelot, and after that Sir Tristram smote down King Arthur explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

> Chapter companion for Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

## What happens

In a tournament, Sir Tristram (the Green Knight) and his companions Sir Palomides, Sir Gareth, and Sir Dinadan battle knights of King Arthur's household. King Arthur, shamed by their success, leads Sir Launcelot, Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Ector against them. Sir Launcelot unhorses Sir Tristram, Sir Bleoberis unhorses Sir Palomides, and Sir Ector unhorses Sir Gareth, while King Arthur unhorses Sir Dinadan. The King of Northgalis lends his horse to Sir Tristram, who then strikes King Arthur from his saddle and gives the king's horse to his benefactor. Sir Tristram then retreats to his pavilions and disguises himself in red.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Reputation

King Arthur's shame at seeing his knights beaten drives him to seek personal combat, and the King of Northgalis honors Sir Tristram by giving him his horse.

### Kingship and Governance

King Arthur leads his knights into battle personally, reflecting the king's role as both ruler and warrior in Arthurian society.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Tristram de Liones

Fights as the Green Knight on a black horse, is unhorsed by Sir Launcelot, then receives a horse from the King of Northgalis and unseats King Arthur before retreating to disguise himself in red.

### Sir Launcelot du Lake

Unhorses Sir Tristram in the tournament, mistaking him for Sir Palomides.

### King Arthur

Leads the counter-attack against the Green Knights, unhorses Sir Dinadan, but is later struck from his saddle by Sir Tristram.

### Sir Palomides

Fights as a Green Knight on a white horse, is unhorsed by Sir Bleoberis, and later fights on foot to prevent King Arthur from being remounted.

### Sir Gareth of Orkney

Fights as a Green Knight on a white horse and is unhorsed by Sir Ector de Maris.

## Key lines

> So God me help, said Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, this is a great shame to us to see four knights beat so many knights of mine; and therefore make you ready, for we will have ado with them.

Arthur told Launcelot that it was a disgrace for four knights to defeat so many of his own, and ordered him to prepare for combat.

_Arthur's pride and sense of honor are wounded by the Green Knights' success._

> Noble knight, I know thee not of what country that thou art, but for the noble deeds that thou hast done this day take there my horse, and let me do as well I may; for, as Jesu me help, thou art better worthy to have mine horse than I myself.

The King of Northgalis, though a stranger, gave his horse to Sir Tristram, saying he deserved it more for his valiant deeds.

_An act of chivalric generosity and recognition of prowess._

## Links

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