_How by treason Sir Tristram was brought to a tournament for to have
been slain, and how he was put in prison._
Now turn we from this matter, and speak we of Sir Tristram, of whom
this book is principally of; and leave we the king and the queen, Sir
Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak. And here beginneth the treason of king Mark
that he ordained against Sir Tristram. There was cried by the coasts of
Cornwall a great tournament and justs. And all was done by Sir Galahalt
the haut prince, and king Bagdemagus, to the intent to slay Sir
Launcelot, or else utterly destroy him and shame him, because Sir
Launcelot had always the higher degree: therefore this prince and this
king made this justs against Sir Launcelot. And thus their counsel was
discovered unto king Mark, whereof he was full glad. Then king Mark
bethought him that he would have Sir Tristram unto that tournament
disguised that no man should know him, to that intent that the haut
prince should ween that Sir Tristram were Sir Launcelot. So at these
justs came in Sir Tristram. And at that time Sir Launcelot was not
there, but when they saw a knight disguised do such deeds of arms, they
wend it had been Sir Launcelot. And in especial king Mark said it was
Sir Launcelot plainly. Then they set upon him, both king Bagdemagus and
the haut prince, and their knights, that it was wonder that ever Sir
Tristram might endure that pain. Notwithstanding for all the pain that
he had, Sir Tristram wan the degree at that tournament, and there he
hurt many knights, and bruised them, and they hurt him, and bruised him
wonderly sore. So when the justs were all done they knew well that it
was Sir Tristram de Liones. And all that were on king Mark’s party were
glad that Sir Tristram was hurt, and the remnant were sorry of his
hurt; for Sir Tristram was not so behated as was Sir Launcelot within
the realm of England. Then came king Mark unto Sir Tristram, and said,
Fair nephew, I am sorry of your hurts. Gramercy, my lord, said Sir
Tristram. Then king Mark made Sir Tristram for to be put in a horse
bier, in great sign of love, and said, Fair cousin, I shall be your
leech myself. And so he rode forth with Sir Tristram, and brought him
to a castle by daylight. And then king Mark made Sir Tristram to eat,
and then after he gave him a drink, the which as soon as he had drunk
he fell on sleep; and when it was night he made him to be carried to
another castle, and there he put him in a strong prison, and there he
ordained a man and a woman to give him his meat and drink. So there he
was a great while. Then was Sir Tristram missed, and no creature wist
where he was become. When La Beale Isoud heard how he was missed,
privily she went unto Sir Sadok, and prayed him to espy where was Sir
Tristram. Then when Sadok wist how Sir Tristram was missed, and anon
espied that he was put in prison by king Mark and the traitors of
Magons, then Sadok and two of his cousins laid them in an ambushment,
fast by the castle of Tintagil, in arms. And as by fortune there came
riding king Mark and four of his nephews, and a certain of the traitors
of Magons. When Sir Sadok espied them he brake out of the bushment, and
set there upon them. And when king Mark espied Sir Sadok he fled as
fast as he might. And there Sir Sadok slew all the four nephews unto
king Mark. But these traitors of Magons slew one of Sadok’s cousins,
with a great wound in the neck, but Sadok smote the other to death.
Then Sir Sadok rode upon his way unto a castle that was called Liones,
and there he espied of the treason and felony of king Mark. So they of
that castle rode with Sir Sadok till that they came to a castle that
hight Arbray. And there in the town they found Sir Dinas the seneschal,
that was a good knight. But when Sir Sadok had told Sir Dinas of all
the treason of king Mark, he defied such a king, and said he would give
up his lands that he held of him. And when he said these words all
manner knights said as Sir Dinas said. Then by his advice, and of Sir
Sadok’s, he let stuff all the towns and castles within the country of
Liones, and assembled all the people that they might make.