Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How Sir Palomides changed his shield and his armour for to hurt Sir Tristram, and how Sir Launcelot did to Sir Tristram. explained
Sir Palomides disguises himself by swapping armor with a wounded knight to attack Sir Tristram unnoticed.
What happens
Sir Palomides disguises himself by swapping armor with a wounded knight to attack Sir Tristram unnoticed. Sir Launcelot enters the fray and unknowingly fights Sir Tristram, leading to a tense battle. Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan intervene to protect Tristram, and Launcelot eventually learns Tristram's identity, apologizes, and publicly declares Tristram the best knight of the day.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Knights vie for recognition and honor; Launcelot publicly yields the day's honor to Tristram, emphasizing the importance of reputation.
Betrayal and Treachery
Palomides' disguise to harm Tristram is an act of deceit, contrasting with the open chivalric combat.
Love and Adultery
La Beale Isoud's emotional distress for Tristram highlights the romantic bond between them.
Characters to notice
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Disguised as the black knight, fights valiantly against Palomides and Launcelot, ultimately recognized as the best knight of the day.
- Sir Palomides
Disguises himself to harm Tristram, fights him, and is thrown down before Launcelot intervenes.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Enters the battle, unknowingly fights Tristram, later apologizes and honors Tristram as the best knight.
- La Beale Isoud
Watches from a window, weeps and swoons upon seeing Palomides' deceit and the danger to Tristram.
- Sir Dinadan
Helps Gareth intervene to protect Tristram, is smitten down by Palomides, and later reveals Tristram's identity to Launcelot.
- Sir Gareth of Orkney
Rushes to strike Launcelot to prevent Tristram from being shamed.
Key passages
“Sir Palomides, I pray you to lend me your armour and your shield, for mine is over-well known in this field, and that hath done me great damage; and ye shall have mine armour and my shield that is as sure as yours.”
Palomides asks a wounded knight to exchange armor so he can fight unrecognized.
Palomides' deception to gain advantage over Tristram.
“O Jesu, said Launcelot, what have I done? I am dishonoured. Ah, my lord Sir Tristram, said Launcelot, why were ye disguised? ye have put yourself in great peril this day; but I pray you noble knight to pardon me, for an I had known you we had not done this battle.”
Launcelot is horrified to discover he fought Tristram and begs forgiveness.
Launcelot's regret and respect for Tristram after the mistaken combat.
“For I am not worthy to have this honour, for I will report me unto all knights that Sir Tristram hath been longer in the field than I, and he hath smitten down many more knights this day than I have done. And therefore I will give Sir Tristram my voice and my name, and so I pray all my lords and fellows so to do.”
Launcelot publicly declares Tristram the better knight and urges others to agree.
Launcelot's magnanimous gesture to honor Tristram's prowess.