Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How King Arthur and Sir Launcelot came unto their pavilions as they sat at supper, and of Sir Palomides. explained
King Arthur and Sir Launcelot visit Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud at their pavilion during supper, revealing themselves as friends.
What happens
King Arthur and Sir Launcelot visit Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud at their pavilion during supper, revealing themselves as friends. They share joyful conversation, discuss the recent jousts, and Sir Tristram explains why he fought against Arthur's party. Sir Palomides is rebuked for attacking Tristram unknowingly, and later suffers envy and sorrow over the incident.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Arthur rebukes Palomides for unknightly conduct, highlighting the importance of courteous behavior among knights.
Love and Adultery
The relationship between Tristram and La Beale Isoud is celebrated by Arthur, reflecting the romantic ideal of courtly love.
Characters to notice
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Hosts King Arthur and Sir Launcelot at supper, explains his actions in the jousts, and pardons Sir Palomides.
- La Beale Isoud
Present at the pavilion, rises to greet King Arthur, and is praised by Arthur as the fairest he ever saw.
- King Arthur
Visits Tristram's pavilion with Launcelot, praises Isoud and Tristram, and rebukes Palomides for unknightly conduct.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Accompanies King Arthur, embraces Tristram, and laughs with Arthur over the jousts.
- Sir Palomides
Rebuked by Arthur for attacking Tristram unknowingly; later suffers envy and weeps all night.
- Sir Dinadan
Privately identifies Launcelot and Arthur to Tristram, and jests about the tournament.
Key passages
“Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, ye are to blame to come thus armed at all pieces upon me while we are at our meat; if ye would anything when we were in the field there might ye have eased your hearts.”
Tristram scolds the armed knights for approaching him during supper, suggesting they should have challenged him in the tournament instead.
Tristram's initial suspicion of the armed visitors.
“Madam, said Sir Arthur, it is many a day sithen that I have desired to see you, for ye have been praised so far; and now I dare say ye are the fairest that ever I saw, and Sir Tristram is as fair and as good a knight as any that I know; therefore me beseemeth ye are well beset together.”
Arthur tells Isoud he has long wanted to meet her, praises her beauty and Tristram's knighthood, and declares them a perfect match.
Arthur's approval of Tristram and Isoud's union.
“So God me help, said Arthur, that was unknightly done of you of so good a knight, for I have heard many people call you a courteous knight.”
Arthur rebukes Palomides for attacking Tristram, saying it was discourteous and beneath his reputation.
Arthur's criticism of Palomides' conduct.