Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How Sir Tristram served in war King Howel of Brittany, and slew his adversary in the field explained
Sir Tristram aids King Howel of Brittany in war against Earl Grip, slaying the earl and many knights.
What happens
Sir Tristram aids King Howel of Brittany in war against Earl Grip, slaying the earl and many knights. King Howel offers his kingdom to Tristram, who refuses out of gratitude for the king's daughter. Through the king's and Sir Kehydius's efforts, Tristram grows close to Isoud la Blanche Mains and eventually marries her, but on their wedding night he remembers La Beale Isoud and refrains from consummation. Meanwhile, a knight named Suppinabiles brings news of the marriage to King Arthur's court, where Sir Launcelot denounces Tristram as false and declares himself Tristram's mortal enemy.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Adultery
Tristram's marriage to Isoud la Blanche Mains while still devoted to La Beale Isoud highlights the tension between marital duty and true love.
Honor and Reputation
Launcelot's condemnation of Tristram as 'untrue knight' underscores the importance of fidelity and honor among knights.
Kingship and Governance
King Howel's offer to resign his kingdom to Tristram illustrates the medieval concept of kingship as a reward for service.
Characters to notice
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Serves King Howel in war, slays Earl Grip, marries Isoud la Blanche Mains but remains chaste out of loyalty to La Beale Isoud.
- La Beale Isoud
Tristram's first lady, Queen of Cornwall, whom he nearly forsakes for Isoud la Blanche Mains.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Hears of Tristram's marriage and denounces him as untrue, declaring himself Tristram's mortal enemy.
- Gouvernail
Advises King Howel to seek Tristram's help in the war.
- Sir Kehydius
Son of King Howel, wounded in battle, helps foster love between Tristram and Isoud la Blanche Mains.
- King Meliodas
Father of Sir Tristram, mentioned indirectly through Tristram's lineage.
Key passages
“Then Sir Tristram issued out of the town with such fellowship as he might make, and did such deeds that all Brittany spake of him. And then, at the last, by great might and force, he slew the Earl Grip with his own hands, and more than an hundred knights he slew that day.”
Tristram led a small force from the town and performed so valiantly that his fame spread across Brittany, eventually killing Earl Grip and over a hundred knights in battle.
Highlights Tristram's martial prowess and the scale of his victory.
“And so when they were abed both Sir Tristram remembered him of his old lady La Beale Isoud. And then he took such a thought suddenly that he was all dismayed, and other cheer made he none but with clipping and kissing; as for other fleshly lusts Sir Tristram never thought nor had ado with her.”
On their wedding night, Tristram was overcome with memories of La Beale Isoud and remained chaste, only embracing and kissing his new wife without any further intimacy.
Emphasizes Tristram's enduring emotional and physical loyalty to La Beale Isoud despite his marriage.
“Then said Sir Launcelot: Fie upon him, untrue knight to his lady, that so noble a knight as Sir Tristram is should be found to his first lady false, La Beale Isoud, Queen of Cornwall; but say ye him this, said Sir Launcelot, that of all knights in the world I loved him most, and had most joy of him, and all was for his noble deeds; and let him wit the love between him and me is done for ever, and that I give him warning from this day forth as his mortal enemy.”
Launcelot denounced Tristram as a false knight for betraying his first love, Queen La Beale Isoud, and declared that their friendship was over, vowing to become his mortal enemy.
Shows the severe consequences of perceived betrayal in the chivalric code.
