# How Sir Palomides changed his shield and his armour for to hurt Sir Tristram, and how Sir Launcelot did to Sir Tristram. explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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