How There Was a Day Set Between Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides for to Fight, and How Sir Tristram Was Hurt explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Adultery

  The rivalry between Tristram and Palomides is driven by their shared love for La Beale Isoud.

• Honor and Reputation

  Tristram and Palomides set a formal duel to settle their quarrel, emphasizing knightly honor and promise-keeping.

• Fate and Tragedy

  Tristram's accidental injury before the duel foreshadows tragic consequences and the interference of fate.

Characters to notice

• Sir Tristram de Liones

  Challenges Palomides to a duel and is accidentally wounded by an archer while hunting.

• Sir Palomides

  Sets a day for battle with Tristram, citing his love-sickness for La Beale Isoud.

• La Beale Isoud

  Mentioned as the object of both knights' love and unable to cheer Tristram after his injury.

• Breuse Saunce Pité

  Referenced in Tristram's recollection of rescuing Palomides from him.

Key passages

• “I will fight with you to the uttermost. I grant, said Palomides, for in a better quarrel keep I never to fight, for an I die of your hands, of a better knight’s hands may not I be slain.”

  Tristram declares he will fight to the death, and Palomides agrees, saying he could not wish for a nobler opponent to die by.

  Both knights accept the duel with solemn resolve, acknowledging the high stakes.

• “This day fifteen days, said Palomides, will I meet with you hereby, in the meadow under Joyous Gard. Fie for shame, said Sir Tristram, will ye set so long day? let us fight to-morn.”

  Palomides proposes a date two weeks away, but Tristram scoffs and insists on fighting the next day.

  Tristram's impatience contrasts with Palomides' need for recovery.

• “I am remembered, said Sir Tristram to Palomides, that ye brake me once a promise when that I rescued you from Breuse Saunce Pité and nine knights; and then ye promised me to meet me at the peron and the grave beside Camelot, whereas at that time ye failed of your promise.”

  Tristram reminds Palomides that he once broke a promise to meet him for a duel after Tristram rescued him.

  Tristram holds a grudge over Palomides' past failure to keep his word.

• “And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram chased and hunted at all manner of venery; and about three days afore the battle should be, as Sir Tristram chased an hart, there was an archer shot at the hart, and by misfortune he smote Sir Tristram in the thick of the thigh, and the arrow slew Sir Tristram’s horse and hurt him.”

  While hunting a stag three days before the duel, an archer accidentally shoots Tristram in the thigh, also killing his horse.

  A chance accident threatens Tristram's ability to fight the scheduled battle.