Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How Sir Palomides and Sir Safere conducted Sir Epinogris to his castle, and of other adventures explained
Sir Palomides and his brother Sir Safere help reunite Sir Epinogris with his lady, then encounter a manor where Palomides is recognized as the knight who slew their lord at the tournament of Lonazep.
What happens
Sir Palomides and his brother Sir Safere help reunite Sir Epinogris with his lady, then encounter a manor where Palomides is recognized as the knight who slew their lord at the tournament of Lonazep. After a fierce fight, Palomides is captured, judged guilty, and sentenced to death. As he is led bound to Pelownes castle, a knight from Joyous Gard sees him and Palomides asks to be commended to Sir Tristram, Queen Isoud, King Arthur, and the Round Table.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Palomides accepts his fate with dignity, asking only that his commendations be delivered to his lord and lady, reflecting the knightly concern for honor even in death.
Violence and Vengeance
The kin of the slain knight seek vengeance against Palomides, leading to his capture and death sentence, illustrating the cycle of violence in knightly society.
Fate and Tragedy
Palomides laments his departure from Sir Tristram as the cause of his doom, and the sorrowful parting of the brothers underscores the tragic inevitability of his fate.
Characters to notice
- Sir Palomides
Captured and sentenced to death for slaying a knight at the tournament of Lonazep; asks to be commended to Sir Tristram, Queen Isoud, King Arthur, and the Round Table.
- Sir Safere
Brother of Sir Palomides; fights alongside him but is found not guilty and released, parting with great sorrow.
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Mentioned as the lord from whom Palomides departed, leading to his current predicament; Palomides sends him a message of forgiveness.
- La Beale Isoud
Mentioned as Queen Isoud; Palomides asks to be commended to her and asks forgiveness for any trespass.
- King Arthur
Mentioned as the lord of the Round Table; Palomides asks to be commended to him.
Key passages
“Ah, my fair fellow and knight, said Palomides, I ride toward my death for the slaying of a knight at a tournament of Lonazep; and if I had not departed from my lord Sir Tristram, as I ought not to have done, now might I have been sure to have had my life saved; but I pray you, sir knight, recommend me unto my lord, Sir Tristram, and unto my lady, Queen Isoud, and say to them if ever I trespassed to them I ask them forgiveness.”
Palomides explains that he is being led to his execution for killing a knight at the Lonazep tournament, and that if he had not left Sir Tristram's side he might have been saved; he asks the knight to convey his farewell and request for forgiveness to Tristram and Queen Isoud.
Palomides' final message reveals his regret and his desire for reconciliation before his death.
“Fair brother, said Palomides, let be thy dolour and thy sorrow. And if I be ordained to die a shameful death, welcome be it; but an I had wist of this death that I am deemed unto, I should never have been yolden.”
Palomides tells his brother Safere to stop grieving, accepting his shameful death willingly, but adds that if he had known he would be condemned, he would never have surrendered.
Palomides shows both resignation and a warrior's regret at having yielded.