And so they took their horses and rode to their ships together, and

when Sir Tristram was in the sea he said: Greet well King Mark and all

mine enemies, and say them I will come again when I may; and well am I

rewarded for the fighting with Sir Marhaus, and delivered all this

country from servage; and well am I rewarded for the fetching and costs

of Queen Isoud out of Ireland, and the danger that I was in first and

last, and by the way coming home what danger I had to bring again Queen

Isoud from the Castle Pluere; and well am I rewarded when I fought with

Sir Bleoberis for Sir Segwarides’ wife; and well am I rewarded when I

fought with Sir Blamore de Ganis for King Anguish, father unto La Beale

Isoud; and well am I rewarded when I smote down the good knight, Sir

Lamorak de Galis, at King Mark’s request; and well am I rewarded when I

fought with the King with the Hundred Knights, and the King of

Northgalis, and both these would have put his land in servage, and by

me they were put to a rebuke; and well am I rewarded for the slaying of

Tauleas, the mighty giant, and many other deeds have I done for him,

and now have I my warison. And tell King Mark that many noble knights

of the Table Round have spared the barons of this country for my sake.

Also am I not well rewarded when I fought with the good knight Sir

Palomides and rescued Queen Isoud from him; and at that time King Mark

said afore all his barons I should have been better rewarded. And

forthwithal he took the sea.

CHAPTER XXII. How a damosel sought help to help Sir Launcelot against

thirty knights, and how Sir Tristram fought with them.

And at the next landing, fast by the sea, there met with Sir Tristram

and with Sir Dinadan, Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Bors de Ganis; and

there Sir Ector jousted with Sir Dinadan, and he smote him and his

horse down. And then Sir Tristram would have jousted with Sir Bors, and

Sir Bors said that he would not joust with no Cornish knights, for they

are not called men of worship; and all this was done upon a bridge. And

with this came Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant, and Sir Bleoberis

proffered to joust with Sir Tristram, and there Sir Tristram smote down

Sir Bleoberis. Then said Sir Bors de Ganis: I wist never Cornish knight

of so great valour nor so valiant as that knight that beareth the

trappings embroidered with crowns. And then Sir Tristram and Sir

Dinadan departed from them into a forest, and there met them a damosel

that came for the love of Sir Launcelot to seek after some noble

knights of King Arthur’s court for to rescue Sir Launcelot. And so Sir

Launcelot was ordained, for-by the treason of Queen Morgan le Fay to

have slain Sir Launcelot, and for that cause she ordained thirty

knights to lie in await for Sir Launcelot, and this damosel knew this

treason. And for this cause the damosel came for to seek noble knights

to help Sir Launcelot. For that night, or the day after, Sir Launcelot

should come where these thirty knights were. And so this damosel met

with Sir Bors and Sir Ector and with Sir Driant, and there she told

them all four of the treason of Morgan le Fay; and then they promised

her that they would be nigh where Sir Launcelot should meet with the

thirty knights. And if so be they set upon him we will do rescues as we

can.

So the damosel departed, and by adventure the damosel met with Sir

Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, and there the damosel told them all the

treason that was ordained for Sir Launcelot. Fair damosel, said Sir

Tristram, bring me to that same place where they should meet with Sir

Launcelot. Then said Sir Dinadan: What will ye do? it is not for us to

fight with thirty knights, and wit you well I will not thereof; as to

match one knight two or three is enough an they be men, but for to

match fifteen knights that will I never undertake. Fie for shame, said

Sir Tristram, do but your part. Nay, said Sir Dinadan, I will not

thereof but if ye will lend me your shield, for ye bear a shield of

Cornwall; and for the cowardice that is named to the knights of

Cornwall, by your shields ye be ever forborne. Nay, said Sir Tristram,

I will not depart from my shield for her sake that gave it me. But one

thing, said Sir Tristram, I promise thee, Sir Dinadan, but if thou wilt

promise me to abide with me, here I shall slay thee, for I desire no

more of thee but answer one knight. And if thy heart will not serve

thee, stand by and look upon me and them. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, I

promise you to look upon and to do what I may to save myself, but I

would I had not met with you.

So then anon these thirty knights came fast by these four knights, and

they were ware of them, and either of other. And so these thirty

knights let them pass, for this cause, that they would not wrath them,

if case be that they had ado with Sir Launcelot; and the four knights

let them pass to this intent, that they would see and behold what they

would do with Sir Launcelot. And so the thirty knights passed on and

came by Sir Tristram and by Sir Dinadan, and then Sir Tristram cried on

high: Lo, here is a knight against you for the love of Sir Launcelot.

And there he slew two with one spear and ten with his sword. And then

came in Sir Dinadan and he did passing well, and so of the thirty

knights there went but ten away, and they fled. All this battle saw Sir

Bors de Ganis and his three fellows, and then they saw well it was the

same knight that jousted with them at the bridge; then they took their

horses and rode unto Sir Tristram, and praised him and thanked him of

his good deeds, and they all desired Sir Tristram to go with them to

their lodging; and he said: Nay, he would not go to no lodging. Then

they all four knights prayed him to tell them his name. Fair lords,

said Sir Tristram, as at this time I will not tell you my name.

CHAPTER XXIII. How Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan came to a lodging where

they must joust with two knights.

Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode forth their way till they came

to the shepherds and to the herdmen, and there they asked them if they

knew any lodging or harbour there nigh hand. Forsooth, sirs, said the

herdmen, hereby is good lodging in a castle; but there is such a custom

that there shall no knight be harboured but if he joust with two

knights, and if he be but one knight he must joust with two. And as ye

be therein soon shall ye be matched. There is shrewd harbour, said Sir

Dinadan; lodge where ye will, for I will not lodge there. Fie for

shame, said Sir Tristram, are ye not a knight of the Table Round?

wherefore ye may not with your worship refuse your lodging. Not so,

said the herdmen, for an ye be beaten and have the worse ye shall not

be lodged there, and if ye beat them ye shall be well harboured. Ah,

said Sir Dinadan, they are two sure knights. Then Sir Dinadan would not

lodge there in no manner but as Sir Tristram required him of his

knighthood; and so they rode thither. And to make short tale, Sir

Tristram and Sir Dinadan smote them down both, and so they entered into

the castle and had good cheer as they could think or devise.

And when they were unarmed, and thought to be merry and in good rest,

there came in at the gates Sir Palomides and Sir Gaheris, requiring to

have the custom of the castle. What array is this? said Sir Dinadan, I

would have my rest. That may not be, said Sir Tristram; now must we

needs defend the custom of this castle, insomuch as we have the better

of the lords of this castle, and therefore, said Sir Tristram, needs

must ye make you ready. In the devil’s name, said Sir Dinadan, came I

into your company. And so they made them ready; and Sir Gaheris

encountered with Sir Tristram, and Sir Gaheris had a fall; and Sir

Palomides encountered with Sir Dinadan, and Sir Dinadan had a fall:

then was it fall for fall. So then must they fight on foot. That would

not Sir Dinadan, for he was so sore bruised of the fall that Sir

Palomides gave him. Then Sir Tristram unlaced Sir Dinadan’s helm, and

prayed him to help him. I will not, said Sir Dinadan, for I am sore

wounded of the thirty knights that we had but late ago to do withal.

But ye fare, said Sir Dinadan unto Sir Tristram, as a madman and as a

man that is out of his mind that would cast himself away, and I may

curse the time that ever I saw you, for in all the world are not two

such knights that be so wood as is Sir Launcelot and ye Sir Tristram;

for once I fell in the fellowship of Sir Launcelot as I have done now

with you, and he set me a work that a quarter of a year I kept my bed.

Jesu defend me, said Sir Dinadan, from such two knights, and specially

from your fellowship. Then, said Sir Tristram, I will fight with them

both. Then Sir Tristram bade them come forth both, for I will fight

with you. Then Sir Palomides and Sir Gaheris dressed them, and smote at

them both. Then Dinadan smote at Sir Gaheris a stroke or two, and

turned from him. Nay, said Sir Palomides, it is too much shame for us

two knights to fight with one. And then he did bid Sir Gaheris stand

aside with that knight that hath no list to fight. Then they rode

together and fought long, and at the last Sir Tristram doubled his

strokes, and drove Sir Palomides aback more than three strides. And

then by one assent Sir Gaheris and Sir Dinadan went betwixt them, and

departed them in-sunder. And then by assent of Sir Tristram they would

have lodged together. But Sir Dinadan would not lodge in that castle.

And then he cursed the time that ever he came in their fellowship, and

so he took his horse, and his harness, and departed.

Then Sir Tristram prayed the lords of that castle to lend him a man to

bring him to a lodging, and so they did, and overtook Sir Dinadan, and

rode to their lodging two mile thence with a good man in a priory, and

there they were well at ease. And that same night Sir Bors and Sir

Bleoberis, and Sir Ector and Sir Driant, abode still in the same place

thereas Sir Tristram fought with the thirty knights; and there they met

with Sir Launcelot the same night, and had made promise to lodge with

Sir Colgrevance the same night.

CHAPTER XXIV. How Sir Tristram jousted with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore

le Desirous, and how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram from Morgan le

Fay.

But anon as the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, heard of the shield of

Cornwall, then wist he well that it was Sir Tristram that fought with

his enemies. And then Sir Launcelot praised Sir Tristram, and called

him the man of most worship in the world. So there was a knight in that

priory that hight Pellinore, and he desired to wit the name of Sir

Tristram, but in no wise he could not; and so Sir Tristram departed and

left Sir Dinadan in the priory, for he was so weary and so sore bruised

that he might not ride. Then this knight, Sir Pellinore, said to Sir

Dinadan: Sithen that ye will not tell me that knight’s name I will ride

after him and make him to tell me his name, or he shall die therefore.

Beware, sir knight, said Sir Dinadan, for an ye follow him ye shall

repent it. So that knight, Sir Pellinore, rode after Sir Tristram and

required him of jousts. Then Sir Tristram smote him down and wounded

him through the shoulder, and so he passed on his way. And on the next

day following Sir Tristram met with pursuivants, and they told him that

there was made a great cry of tournament between King Carados of

Scotland and the King of North Wales, and either should joust against

other at the Castle of Maidens; and these pursuivants sought all the

country after the good knights, and in especial King Carados let make

seeking for Sir Launcelot du Lake, and the King of Northgalis let seek

after Sir Tristram de Liones. And at that time Sir Tristram thought to

be at that jousts; and so by adventure they met with Sir Kay, the

Seneschal, and Sir Sagramore le Desirous; and Sir Kay required Sir

Tristram to joust, and Sir Tristram in a manner refused him, because he

would not be hurt nor bruised against the great jousts that should be

before the Castle of Maidens, and therefore thought to repose him and

to rest him. And alway Sir Kay cried: Sir knight of Cornwall, joust

with me, or else yield thee to me as recreant. When Sir Tristram heard

him say so he turned to him, and then Sir Kay refused him and turned

his back. Then Sir Tristram said: As I find thee I shall take thee.

Then Sir Kay turned with evil will, and Sir Tristram smote Sir Kay

down, and so he rode forth.

Then Sir Sagramore le Desirous rode after Sir Tristram, and made him to

joust with him, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sagramore le

Desirous from his horse, and rode his way; and the same day he met with

a damosel that told him that he should win great worship of a knight

adventurous that did much harm in all that country. When Sir Tristram

heard her say so, he was glad to go with her to win worship. So Sir

Tristram rode with that damosel a six mile, and then met him Sir

Gawaine, and therewithal Sir Gawaine knew the damosel, that she was a

damosel of Queen Morgan le Fay. Then Sir Gawaine understood that she

led that knight to some mischief. Fair knight, said Sir Gawaine,

whither ride you now with that damosel? Sir, said Sir Tristram, I wot

not whither I shall ride but as the damosel will lead me. Sir, said Sir

Gawaine, ye shall not ride with her, for she and her lady did never

good, but ill. And then Sir Gawaine pulled out his sword and said:

Damosel, but if thou tell me anon for what cause thou leadest this

knight with thee thou shalt die for it right anon: I know all your

lady’s treason, and yours. Mercy, Sir Gawaine, she said, and if ye will

save my life I will tell you. Say on, said Sir Gawaine, and thou shalt

have thy life. Sir, she said, Queen Morgan le Fay, my lady, hath

ordained a thirty ladies to seek and espy after Sir Launcelot or Sir

Tristram, and by the trains of these ladies, who that may first meet

any of these two knights they should turn them unto Morgan le Fay’s

castle, saying that they should do deeds of worship; and if any of the

two knights came there, there be thirty knights lying and watching in a

tower to wait upon Sir Launcelot or upon Sir Tristram. Fie for shame,

said Sir Gawaine, that ever such false treason should be wrought or

used in a queen, and a king’s sister, and a king and queen’s daughter.

CHAPTER XXV. How Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode to have foughten

with the thirty knights, but they durst not come out.

Sir, said Sir Gawaine, will ye stand with me, and we will see the

malice of these thirty knights. Sir, said Sir Tristram, go ye to them,

an it please you, and ye shall see I will not fail you, for it is not

long ago since I and a fellow met with thirty knights of that queen’s

fellowship; and God speed us so that we may win worship. So then Sir

Gawaine and Sir Tristram rode toward the castle where Morgan le Fay

was, and ever Sir Gawaine deemed well that he was Sir Tristram de

Liones, because he heard that two knights had slain and beaten thirty

knights. And when they came afore the castle Sir Gawaine spake on high

and said: Queen Morgan le Fay, send out your knights that ye have laid

in a watch for Sir Launcelot and for Sir Tristram. Now, said Sir

Gawaine, I know your false treason, and through all places where that I

ride men shall know of your false treason; and now let see, said Sir

Gawaine, whether ye dare come out of your castle, ye thirty knights.

Then the queen spake and all the thirty knights at once, and said: Sir

Gawaine, full well wottest thou what thou dost and sayest; for by God

we know thee passing well, but all that thou speakest and dost, thou

sayest it upon pride of that good knight that is there with thee. For

there be some of us that know full well the hands of that knight over

all well. And wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, it is more for his sake than

for thine that we will not come out of this castle. For wit ye well,

Sir Gawaine, the knight that beareth the arms of Cornwall, we know him

and what he is.

Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Tristram departed and rode on their ways a day

or two together; and there by adventure, they met with Sir Kay and Sir

Sagramore le Desirous. And then they were glad of Sir Gawaine, and he

of them, but they wist not what he was with the shield of Cornwall, but

by deeming. And thus they rode together a day or two. And then they

were ware of Sir Breuse Saunce Pité chasing a lady for to have slain

her, for he had slain her paramour afore. Hold you all still, said Sir

Gawaine, and show none of you forth, and ye shall see me reward yonder

false knight; for an he espy you he is so well horsed that he will

escape away. And then Sir Gawaine rode betwixt Sir Breuse and the lady,

and said: False knight, leave her, and have ado with me. When Sir

Breuse saw no more but Sir Gawaine he feutred his spear, and Sir

Gawaine against him; and there Sir Breuse overthrew Sir Gawaine, and

then he rode over him, and overthwart him twenty times to have

destroyed him; and when Sir Tristram saw him do so villainous a deed,

he hurled out against him. And when Sir Breuse saw him with the shield

of Cornwall he knew him well that it was Sir Tristram, and then he

fled, and Sir Tristram followed after him; and Sir Breuse Saunce Pité

was so horsed that he went his way quite, and Sir Tristram followed him

long, for he would fain have been avenged upon him. And so when he had

long chased him, he saw a fair well, and thither he rode to repose him,

and tied his horse till a tree.

CHAPTER XXVI. How damosel Bragwaine found Tristram sleeping by a well,

and how she delivered letters to him from La Beale Isoud.

And then he pulled off his helm and washed his visage and his hands,

and so he fell asleep. In the meanwhile came a damosel that had sought

Sir Tristram many ways and days within this land. And when she came to

the well she looked upon him, and had forgotten him as in remembrance

of Sir Tristram, but by his horse she knew him, that hight Passe-Brewel

that had been Sir Tristram’s horse many years. For when he was mad in

the forest Sir Fergus kept him. So this lady, Dame Bragwaine, abode

still till he was awake. So when she saw him wake she saluted him, and

he her again, for either knew other of old acquaintance; then she told

him how she had sought him long and broad, and there she told him how

she had letters from Queen La Beale Isoud. Then anon Sir Tristram read

them, and wit ye well he was glad, for therein was many a piteous

complaint. Then Sir Tristram said: Lady Bragwaine, ye shall ride with

me till that tournament be done at the Castle of Maidens, and then

shall bear letters and tidings with you. And then Sir Tristram took his

horse and sought lodging, and there he met with a good ancient knight

and prayed him to lodge with him. Right so came Gouvernail unto Sir

Tristram, that was glad of that lady. So this old knight’s name was Sir

Pellounes, and he told of the great tournament that should be at the

Castle of Maidens. And there Sir Launcelot and thirty-two knights of

his blood had ordained shields of Cornwall. And right so there came one

unto Sir Pellounes, and told him that Sir Persides de Bloise was come

home; then that knight held up his hands and thanked God of his coming

home. And there Sir Pellounes told Sir Tristram that in two years he

had not seen his son, Sir Persides. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I know your

son well enough for a good knight.

So on a time Sir Tristram and Sir Persides came to their lodging both

at once, and so they unarmed them, and put upon them their clothing.

And then these two knights each welcomed other. And when Sir Persides

understood that Sir Tristram was of Cornwall, he said he was once in

Cornwall: And there I jousted afore King Mark; and so it happed me at

that time to overthrow ten knights, and then came to me Sir Tristram de

Liones and overthrew me, and took my lady away from me, and that shall

I never forget, but I shall remember me an ever I see my time. Ah, said

Sir Tristram, now I understand that ye hate Sir Tristram. What deem ye,

ween ye that Sir Tristram is not able to withstand your malice? Yes,

said Sir Persides, I know well that Sir Tristram is a noble knight and

a much better knight than I, yet shall I not owe him my good will.

Right as they stood thus talking at a bay-window of that castle, they

saw many knights riding to and fro toward the tournament. And then was

Sir Tristram ware of a likely knight riding upon a great black horse,

and a black-covered shield. What knight is that, said Sir Tristram,

with the black horse and the black shield? he seemeth a good knight. I

know him well, said Sir Persides, he is one of the best knights of the

world. Then is it Sir Launcelot, said Tristram. Nay, said Sir Persides,

it is Sir Palomides, that is yet unchristened.

CHAPTER XXVII. How Sir Tristram had a fall with Sir Palomides, and how

Launcelot overthrew two knights.

Then they saw much people of the country salute Sir Palomides. And

within a while after there came a squire of the castle, that told Sir

Pellounes that was lord of that castle, that a knight with a black

shield had smitten down thirteen knights. Fair brother, said Sir

Tristram unto Sir Persides, let us cast upon us cloaks, and let us go

see the play. Not so, said Sir Persides, we will not go like knaves

thither, but we will ride like men and good knights to withstand our

enemies. So they armed them, and took their horses and great spears,

and thither they went thereas many knights assayed themself before the

tournament. And anon Sir Palomides saw Sir Persides, and then he sent a

squire unto him and said: Go thou to the yonder knight with the green

shield and therein a lion of gold, and say him I require him to joust

with me, and tell him that my name is Sir Palomides. When Sir Persides

understood that request of Sir Palomides, he made him ready, and there

anon they met together, but Sir Persides had a fall. Then Sir Tristram

dressed him to be revenged upon Sir Palomides, and that saw Sir

Palomides that was ready and so was not Sir Tristram, and took him at

an advantage and smote him over his horse’s tail when he had no spear

in his rest. Then stert up Sir Tristram and took his horse lightly, and

was wroth out of measure, and sore ashamed of that fall. Then Sir

Tristram sent unto Sir Palomides by Gouvernail, and prayed him to joust

with him at his request. Nay, said Sir Palomides, as at this time I

will not joust with that knight, for I know him better than he weeneth.

And if he be wroth he may right it to-morn at the Castle of Maidens,

where he may see me and many other knights.

With that came Sir Dinadan, and when he saw Sir Tristram wroth he list

not to jape. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, here may a man prove, be a man never

so good yet may he have a fall, and he was never so wise but he might

be overseen, and he rideth well that never fell. So Sir Tristram was

passing wroth, and said to Sir Persides and to Sir Dinadan: I will

revenge me. Right so as they stood talking there, there came by Sir

Tristram a likely knight riding passing soberly and heavily with a

black shield. What knight is that? said Sir Tristram unto Sir Persides.

I know him well, said Sir Persides, for his name is Sir Briant of North

Wales; so he passed on among other knights of North Wales. And there

came in Sir Launcelot du Lake with a shield of the arms of Cornwall,

and he sent a squire unto Sir Briant, and required him to joust with

him. Well, said Sir Briant, sithen I am required to joust I will do

what I may; and there Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Briant from his

horse a great fall. And then Sir Tristram marvelled what knight he was

that bare the shield of Cornwall. Whatsoever he be, said Sir Dinadan, I

warrant you he is of King Ban’s blood, the which be knights of the most

noble prowess in the world, for to account so many for so many. Then

there came two knights of Northgalis, that one hight Hew de la

Montaine, and the other Sir Madok de la Montaine, and they challenged

Sir Launcelot foot-hot. Sir Launcelot not refusing them but made him

ready, with one spear he smote them down both over their horses’

croups; and so Sir Launcelot rode his way. By the good lord, said Sir

Tristram, he is a good knight that beareth the shield of Cornwall, and

meseemeth he rideth in the best manner that ever I saw knight ride.

Then the King of Northgalis rode unto Sir Palomides and prayed him

heartily for his sake to joust with that knight that hath done us of

Northgalis despite. Sir, said Sir Palomides, I am full loath to have

ado with that knight, and cause why is, for as to-morn the great

tournament shall be; and therefore I will keep myself fresh by my will.

Nay, said the King of Northgalis, I pray you require him of jousts.

Sir, said Sir Palomides, I will joust at your request, and require that

knight to joust with me, and often I have seen a man have a fall at his

own request.

CHAPTER XXVIII. How Sir Launcelot jousted with Palomides and overthrew

him, and after he was assailed with twelve knights.

Then Sir Palomides sent unto Sir Launcelot a squire, and required him

of jousts. Fair fellow, said Sir Launcelot, tell me thy lord’s name.

Sir, said the squire, my lord’s name is Sir Palomides, the good knight.

In good hour, said Sir Launcelot, for there is no knight that I saw

this seven years that I had liefer ado withal than with him. And so

either knights made them ready with two great spears. Nay, said Sir

Dinadan, ye shall see that Sir Palomides will quit him right well. It

may be so, said Sir Tristram, but I undertake that knight with the

shield of Cornwall shall give him a fall. I believe it not, said Sir

Dinadan. Right so they spurred their horses and feutred their spears,

and either hit other, and Sir Palomides brake a spear upon Sir

Launcelot, and he sat and moved not; but Sir Launcelot smote him so

lightly that he made his horse to avoid the saddle, and the stroke

brake his shield and the hauberk, and had he not fallen he had been

slain. How now, said Sir Tristram, I wist well by the manner of their

riding both that Sir Palomides should have a fall.

Right so Sir Launcelot rode his way, and rode to a well to drink and to

repose him, and they of Northgalis espied him whither he rode; and then

there followed him twelve knights for to have mischieved him, for this

cause that upon the morn at the tournament of the Castle of Maidens

that he should not win the victory. So they came upon Sir Launcelot

suddenly, and unnethe he might put upon him his helm and take his

horse, but they were in hands with him; and then Sir Launcelot gat his

spear, and rode through them, and there he slew a knight and brake a

spear in his body. Then he drew his sword and smote upon the right hand

and upon the left hand, so that within a few strokes he had slain other

three knights, and the remnant that abode he wounded them sore all that

did abide. Thus Sir Launcelot escaped from his enemies of North Wales,

and then Sir Launcelot rode his way till a friend, and lodged him till

on the morn; for he would not the first day have ado in the tournament

because of his great labour. And on the first day he was with King

Arthur thereas he was set on high upon a scaffold to discern who was

best worthy of his deeds. So Sir Launcelot was with King Arthur, and

jousted not the first day.

CHAPTER XXIX. How Sir Tristram behaved him the first day of the

tournament, and there he had the prize.

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram de Liones, that commanded Gouvernail, his

servant, to ordain him a black shield with none other remembrance

therein. And so Sir Persides and Sir Tristram departed from their host

Sir Pellounes, and they rode early toward the tournament, and then they

drew them to King Carados’ side, of Scotland; and anon knights began

the field what of King Northgalis’ part, and what of King Carados’

part, and there began great party. Then there was hurling and rashing.

Right so came in Sir Persides and Sir Tristram and so they did fare

that they put the King of Northgalis aback. Then came in Sir Bleoberis

de Ganis and Sir Gaheris with them of Northgalis, and then was Sir

Persides smitten down and almost slain, for more than forty horse men

went over him. For Sir Bleoberis did great deeds of arms, and Sir

Gaheris failed him not. When Sir Tristram beheld them, and saw them do

such deeds of arms, he marvelled what they were. Also Sir Tristram

thought shame that Sir Persides was so done to; and then he gat a great

spear in his hand, and then he rode to Sir Gaheris and smote him down

from his horse. And then was Sir Bleoberis wroth, and gat a spear and

rode against Sir Tristram in great ire; and there Sir Tristram met with

him, and smote Sir Bleoberis from his horse. So then the King with the

Hundred Knights was wroth, and he horsed Sir Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris

again, and there began a great medley; and ever Sir Tristram held them

passing short, and ever Sir Bleoberis was passing busy upon Sir

Tristram; and there came Sir Dinadan against Sir Tristram, and Sir

Tristram gave him such a buffet that he swooned in his saddle. Then

anon Sir Dinadan came to Sir Tristram and said: Sir, I know thee better

than thou weenest; but here I promise thee my troth I will never come

against thee more, for I promise thee that sword of thine shall never

come on mine helm.

With that came Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet

that down he laid his head; and then he caught him so sore by the helm

that he pulled him under his horse’s feet. And then King Arthur blew to

lodging. Then Sir Tristram departed to his pavilion, and Sir Dinadan

rode with him; and Sir Persides and King Arthur then, and the kings

upon both parties, marvelled what knight that was with the black

shield. Many said their advice, and some knew him for Sir Tristram, and

held their peace and would nought say. So that first day King Arthur,

and all the kings and lords that were judges, gave Sir Tristram the

prize; howbeit they knew him not, but named him the Knight with the

Black Shield.

CHAPTER XXX. How Sir Tristram returned against King Arthur’s party

because he saw Sir Palomides on that party.

Then upon the morn Sir Palomides returned from the King of Northgalis,

and rode to King Arthur’s side, where was King Carados, and the King of

Ireland, and Sir Launcelot’s kin, and Sir Gawaine’s kin. So Sir

Palomides sent the damosel unto Sir Tristram that he sent to seek him

when he was out of his mind in the forest, and this damosel asked Sir

Tristram what he was and what was his name?

As for that, said Sir Tristram, tell Sir Palomides ye shall not wit as

at this time unto the time I have broken two spears upon him. But let

him wit thus much, said Sir Tristram, that I am the same knight that he

smote down in over evening at the tournament; and tell him plainly on

what party that Sir Palomides be I will be of the contrary party.

Sir, said the damosel, ye shall understand that Sir Palomides will be

on King Arthur’s side, where the most noble knights of the world be. In

the name of God, said Sir Tristram, then will I be with the King of

Northgalis, because Sir Palomides will be on King Arthur’s side, and

else I would not but for his sake. So when King Arthur was come they

blew unto the field; and then there began a great party, and so King

Carados jousted with the King of the Hundred Knights, and there King

Carados had a fall: then was there hurling and rushing, and right so

came in knights of King Arthur’s, and they bare aback the King of

Northgalis’ knights.

Then Sir Tristram came in, and began so roughly and so bigly that there

was none might withstand him, and thus Sir Tristram dured long. And at

the last Sir Tristram fell among the fellowship of King Ban, and there

fell upon him Sir Bors de Ganis, and Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir

Blamore de Ganis, and many other knights. And then Sir Tristram smote

on the right hand and on the left hand, that all lords and ladies spake

of his noble deeds. But at the last Sir Tristram should have had the

worse had not the King with the Hundred Knights been. And then he came

with his fellowship and rescued Sir Tristram, and brought him away from

those knights that bare the shields of Cornwall. And then Sir Tristram

saw another fellowship by themself, and there were a forty knights

together, and Sir Kay, the Seneschal, was their governor. Then Sir

Tristram rode in amongst them, and there he smote down Sir Kay from his

horse; and there he fared among those knights like a greyhound among

conies.

Then Sir Launcelot found a knight that was sore wounded upon the head.

Sir, said Sir Launcelot, who wounded you so sore? Sir, he said, a

knight that beareth a black shield, and I may curse the time that ever

I met with him, for he is a devil and no man. So Sir Launcelot departed

from him and thought to meet with Sir Tristram, and so he rode with his

sword drawn in his hand to seek Sir Tristram; and then he espied him

how he hurled here and there, and at every stroke Sir Tristram wellnigh

smote down a knight. O mercy Jesu! said the king, sith the times I bare

arms saw I never no knight do so marvellous deeds of arms. And if I

should set upon this knight, said Sir Launcelot to himself, I did shame

to myself, and therewithal Sir Launcelot put up his sword. And then the

King with the Hundred Knights and an hundred more of North Wales set

upon the twenty of Sir Launcelot’s kin: and they twenty knights held

them ever together as wild swine, and none would fail other. And so

when Sir Tristram beheld the noblesse of these twenty knights he

marvelled of their good deeds, for he saw by their fare and by their

rule that they had liefer die than avoid the field. Now Jesu, said Sir

Tristram, well may he be valiant and full of prowess that hath such a

sort of noble knights unto his kin, and full like is he to be a noble

man that is their leader and governor. He meant it by Sir Launcelot du

Lake. So when Sir Tristram had beholden them long he thought shame to

see two hundred knights battering upon twenty knights. Then Sir

Tristram rode unto the King with the Hundred Knights and said: Sir,

leave your fighting with those twenty knights, for ye win no worship of

them, ye be so many and they so few; and wit ye well they will not out

of the field I see by their cheer and countenance; and worship get ye

none an ye slay them. Therefore leave your fighting with them, for I to

increase my worship I will ride to the twenty knights and help them

with all my might and power. Nay, said the King with the Hundred

Knights, ye shall not do so; now I see your courage and courtesy I will

withdraw my knights for your pleasure, for evermore a good knight will

favour another, and like will draw to like.

CHAPTER XXXI. How Sir Tristram found Palomides by a well, and brought

him with him to his lodging.

Then the King with the Hundred Knights withdrew his knights. And all

this while, and long to-fore, Sir Launcelot had watched upon Sir

Tristram with a very purpose to have fellowshipped with him. And then

suddenly Sir Tristram, Sir Dinadan, and Gouvernail, his man, rode their

way into the forest, that no man perceived where they went. So then

King Arthur blew unto lodging, and gave the King of Northgalis the

prize because Sir Tristram was upon his side. Then Sir Launcelot rode

here and there, so wood as lion that fauted his fill, because he had

lost Sir Tristram, and so he returned unto King Arthur. And then in all

the field was a noise that with the wind it might be heard two mile

thence, how the lords and ladies cried: The Knight with the Black

Shield hath won the field. Alas, said King Arthur, where is that knight

become? It is shame to all those in the field so to let him escape away

from you; but with gentleness and courtesy ye might have brought him

unto me to the Castle of Maidens. Then the noble King Arthur went unto

his knights and comforted them in the best wise that he could, and

said: My fair fellows, be not dismayed, howbeit ye have lost the field

this day. And many were hurt and sore wounded, and many were whole. My

fellows, said King Arthur, look that ye be of good cheer, for to-morn I

will be in the field with you and revenge you of your enemies. So that

night King Arthur and his knights reposed themself.

The damosel that came from La Beale Isoud unto Sir Tristram, all the

while the tournament was a-doing she was with Queen Guenever, and ever

the queen asked her for what cause she came into that country. Madam,

she answered, I come for none other cause but from my lady La Beale

Isoud to wit of your welfare. For in no wise she would not tell the

queen that she came for Sir Tristram’s sake. So this lady, Dame

Bragwaine, took her leave of Queen Guenever, and she rode after Sir

Tristram. And as she rode through the forest she heard a great cry;

then she commanded her squire to go into the forest to wit what was

that noise. And so he came to a well, and there he found a knight

bounden till a tree crying as he had been wood, and his horse and his

harness standing by him. And when he espied that squire, therewith he

abraid and brake himself loose, and took his sword in his hand, and ran

to have slain the squire. Then he took his horse and fled all that ever

he might unto Dame Bragwaine, and told her of his adventure. Then she

rode unto Sir Tristram’s pavilion, and told Sir Tristram what adventure

she had found in the forest. Alas, said Sir Tristram, upon my head

there is some good knight at mischief.

Then Sir Tristram took his horse and his sword and rode thither, and

there he heard how the knight complained unto himself and said: I,

woful knight Sir Palomides, what misadventure befalleth me, that thus

am defoiled with falsehood and treason, through Sir Bors and Sir Ector.

Alas, he said, why live I so long! And then he gat his sword in his

hands, and made many strange signs and tokens; and so through his

raging he threw his sword into that fountain. Then Sir Palomides wailed

and wrang his hands. And at the last for pure sorrow he ran into that

fountain, over his belly, and sought after his sword. Then Sir Tristram

saw that, and ran upon Sir Palomides, and held him in his arms fast.

What art thou, said Palomides, that holdeth me so? I am a man of this

forest that would thee none harm. Alas, said Sir Palomides, I may never

win worship where Sir Tristram is; for ever where he is an I be there,

then get I no worship; and if he be away for the most part I have the

gree, unless that Sir Launcelot be there or Sir Lamorak. Then Sir

Palomides said: Once in Ireland Sir Tristram put me to the worse, and

another time in Cornwall, and in other places in this land. What would

ye do, said Sir Tristram, an ye had Sir Tristram? I would fight with

him, said Sir Palomides, and ease my heart upon him; and yet, to say

thee sooth, Sir Tristram is the gentlest knight in this world living.

What will ye do, said Sir Tristram, will ye go with me to your lodging?

Nay, said he, I will go to the King with the Hundred Knights, for he

rescued me from Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ector and else had I been

slain traitorly. Sir Tristram said him such kind words that Sir

Palomides went with him to his lodging. Then Gouvernail went to-fore,

and charged Dame Bragwaine to go out of the way to her lodging. And bid

ye Sir Persides that he make him no quarrels. And so they rode together

till they came to Sir Tristram’s pavilion, and there Sir Palomides had

all the cheer that might be had all that night. But in no wise Sir

Palomides might not know what was Sir Tristram; and so after supper

they yede to rest, and Sir Tristram for great travail slept till it was

day. And Sir Palomides might not sleep for anguish; and in the dawning

of the day he took his horse privily, and rode his way unto Sir Gaheris

and unto Sir Sagramore le Desirous, where they were in their pavilions;

for they three were fellows at the beginning of the tournament. And

then upon the morn the king blew unto the tournament upon the third

day.

CHAPTER XXXII. How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palomides, and how he

jousted with King Arthur, and other feats.

So the King of Northgalis and the King with the Hundred Knights, they

two encountered with King Carados and with the King of Ireland; and

there the King with the Hundred Knights smote down King Carados, and

the King of Northgalis smote down the King of Ireland. With that came

in Sir Palomides, and when he came he made great work, for by his

indented shield he was well known. So came in King Arthur, and did

great deeds of arms together, and put the King of Northgalis and the

King with the Hundred Knights to the worse. With this came in Sir

Tristram with his black shield, and anon he jousted with Sir Palomides,

and there by fine force Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomides over his

horse’s croup. Then King Arthur cried: Knight with the Black Shield,

make thee ready to me, and in the same wise Sir Tristram smote King

Arthur. And then by force of King Arthur’s knights the King and Sir

Palomides were horsed again. Then King Arthur with a great eager heart

he gat a spear in his hand, and there upon the one side he smote Sir

Tristram over his horse. Then foot-hot Sir Palomides came upon Sir

Tristram, as he was upon foot, to have overridden him. Then Sir

Tristram was ware of him, and there he stooped aside, and with great

ire he gat him by the arm, and pulled him down from his horse. Then Sir

Palomides lightly arose, and then they dashed together mightily with

their swords; and many kings, queens, and lords, stood and beheld them.

And at the last Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomides upon the helm three

mighty strokes, and at every stroke that he gave him he said: This for

Sir Tristram’s sake. With that Sir Palomides fell to the earth

grovelling.

Then came the King with the Hundred Knights, and brought Sir Tristram

an horse, and so was he horsed again. By then was Sir Palomides horsed,

and with great ire he jousted upon Sir Tristram with his spear as it

was in the rest, and gave him a great dash with his sword. Then Sir

Tristram avoided his spear, and gat him by the neck with his both

hands, and pulled him clean out of his saddle, and so he bare him afore

him the length of ten spears, and then in the presence of them all he

let him fall at his adventure. Then Sir Tristram was ware of King

Arthur with a naked sword in his hand, and with his spear Sir Tristram

ran upon King Arthur; and then King Arthur boldly abode him and with

his sword he smote a-two his spear, and therewithal Sir Tristram

stonied; and so King Arthur gave him three or four strokes or he might

get out his sword, and at the last Sir Tristram drew his sword and

[either] assailed other passing hard. With that the great press

departed [them]. Then Sir Tristram rode here and there and did his

great pain, that eleven of the good knights of the blood of King Ban,

that was of Sir Launcelot’s kin, that day Sir Tristram smote down; that

all the estates marvelled of his great deeds and all cried upon the

Knight with the Black Shield.

CHAPTER XXXIII. How Sir Launcelot hurt Sir Tristram, and how after Sir

Tristram smote down Sir Palomides.

Then this cry was so large that Sir Launcelot heard it. And then he gat

a great spear in his hand and came towards the cry. Then Sir Launcelot

cried: The Knight with the Black Shield, make thee ready to joust with

me. When Sir Tristram heard him say so he gat his spear in his hand,

and either abashed down their heads, and came together as thunder; and

Sir Tristram’s spear brake in pieces, and Sir Launcelot by malfortune

struck Sir Tristram on the side a deep wound nigh to the death; but yet

Sir Tristram avoided not his saddle, and so the spear brake.

Therewithal Sir Tristram that was wounded gat out his sword, and he

rushed to Sir Launcelot, and gave him three great strokes upon the helm

that the fire sprang thereout, and Sir Launcelot abashed his head lowly

toward his saddle-bow. And therewithal Sir Tristram departed from the

field, for he felt him so wounded that he weened he should have died;

and Sir Dinadan espied him and followed him into the forest. Then Sir

Launcelot abode and did many marvellous deeds.

So when Sir Tristram was departed by the forest’s side he alighted, and

unlaced his harness and freshed his wound; then weened Sir Dinadan that

he should have died. Nay, nay, said Sir Tristram, Dinadan never dread

thee, for I am heart-whole, and of this wound I shall soon be whole, by

the mercy of God. By that Sir Dinadan was ware where came Palomides

riding straight upon them. And then Sir Tristram was ware that Sir

Palomides came to have destroyed him. And so Sir Dinadan gave him

warning, and said: Sir Tristram, my lord, ye are so sore wounded that

ye may not have ado with him, therefore I will ride against him and do

to him what I may, and if I be slain ye may pray for my soul; and in

the meanwhile ye may withdraw you and go into the castle, or in the

forest, that he shall not meet with you. Sir Tristram smiled and said:

I thank you, Sir Dinadan, of your good will, but ye shall wit that I am

able to handle him. And then anon hastily he armed him, and took his

horse, and a great spear in his hand, and said to Sir Dinadan: Adieu;

and rode toward Sir Palomides a soft pace. Then when Sir Palomides saw

that, he made countenance to amend his horse, but he did it for this

cause, for he abode Sir Gaheris that came after him. And when he was

come he rode toward Sir Tristram. Then Sir Tristram sent unto Sir

Palomides, and required him to joust with him; and if he smote down Sir

Palomides he would do no more to him; and if it so happened that Sir

Palomides smote down Sir Tristram, he bade him do his utterance. So

they were accorded. Then they met together, and Sir Tristram smote down

Sir Palomides that he had a grievous fall, so that he lay still as he

had been dead. And then Sir Tristram ran upon Sir Gaheris, and he would

not have jousted; but whether he would or not Sir Tristram smote him

over his horse’s croup, that he lay still as though he had been dead.

And then Sir Tristram rode his way and left Sir Persides’ squire within

the pavilions, and Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to an old knight’s

place to lodge them. And that old knight had five sons at the

tournament, for whom he prayed God heartily for their coming home. And

so, as the French book saith, they came home all five well beaten.

And when Sir Tristram departed into the forest Sir Launcelot held alway

the stour like hard, as a man araged that took no heed to himself, and

wit ye well there was many a noble knight against him. And when King

Arthur saw Sir Launcelot do so marvellous deeds of arms he then armed

him, and took his horse and his armour, and rode into the field to help

Sir Launcelot; and so many knights came in with King Arthur. And to

make short tale in conclusion, the King of Northgalis and the King of

the Hundred Knights were put to the worse; and because Sir Launcelot

abode and was the last in the field the prize was given him. But Sir

Launcelot would neither for king, queen, nor knight, have the prize,

but where the cry was cried through the field: Sir Launcelot, Sir

Launcelot hath won the field this day, Sir Launcelot let make another

cry contrary: Sir Tristram hath won the field, for he began first, and

last he hath endured, and so hath he done the first day, the second,

and the third day.

CHAPTER XXXIV. How the prize of the third day was given to Sir

Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot gave it to Sir Tristram.

Then all the estates and degrees high and low said of Sir Launcelot

great worship, for the honour that he did unto Sir Tristram; and for

that honour doing to Sir Tristram he was at that time more praised and

renowned than an he had overthrown five hundred knights; and all the

people wholly for this gentleness, first the estates both high and low,

and after the commonalty cried at once: Sir Launcelot hath won the

field whosoever say nay. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth and ashamed, and

so therewithal he rode to King Arthur. Alas, said the king, we are all

dismayed that Sir Tristram is thus departed from us. By God, said King

Arthur, he is one of the noblest knights that ever I saw hold spear or

sword in hand, and the most courteoust knight in his fighting; for full

hard I saw him, said King Arthur, when he smote Sir Palomides upon the

helm thrice, that he abashed his helm with his strokes, and also he

said: Here is a stroke for Sir Tristram, and thus thrice he said. Then

King Arthur, Sir Launcelot, and Sir Dodinas le Savage took their horses

to seek Sir Tristram, and by the means of Sir Persides he had told King

Arthur where Sir Tristram was in his pavilion. But when they came

there, Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan were gone.

Then King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were heavy, and returned again to

the Castle of Maidens making great dole for the hurt of Sir Tristram,

and his sudden departing. So God me help, said King Arthur, I am more

heavy that I cannot meet with him than for all the hurts that all my

knights have had at the tournament. Right so came Sir Gaheris and told

King Arthur how Sir Tristram had smitten down Sir Palomides, and it was

at Sir Palomides’ own request. Alas, said King Arthur, that was great

dishonour to Sir Palomides, inasmuch as Sir Tristram was sore wounded,

and now may we all, kings, and knights, and men of worship, say that

Sir Tristram may be called a noble knight, and one of the best knights

that ever I saw the days of my life. For I will that ye all, kings and

knights, know, said King Arthur, that I never saw knight do so

marvellously as he hath done these three days; for he was the first

that began and that longest held on, save this last day. And though he

was hurt, it was a manly adventure of two noble knights, and when two

noble men encounter needs must the one have the worse, like as God will

suffer at that time. As for me, said Sir Launcelot, for all the lands

that ever my father left me I would not have hurt Sir Tristram an I had

known him at that time; that I hurt him was for I saw not his shield.

For an I had seen his black shield, I would not have meddled with him

for many causes; for late he did as much for me as ever did knight, and

that is well known that he had ado with thirty knights, and no help

save Sir Dinadan. And one thing shall I promise, said Sir Launcelot,

Sir Palomides shall repent it as in his unkindly dealing for to follow

that noble knight that I by mishap hurted thus. Sir Launcelot said all

the worship that might be said by Sir Tristram. Then King Arthur made a

great feast to all that would come. And thus we let pass King Arthur,

and a little we will turn unto Sir Palomides, that after he had a fall

of Sir Tristram, he was nigh-hand araged out of his wit for despite of

Sir Tristram. And so he followed him by adventure. And as he came by a

river, in his woodness he would have made his horse to have leapt over;

and the horse failed footing and fell in the river, wherefore Sir

Palomides was adread lest he should have been drowned; and then he

avoided his horse, and swam to the land, and let his horse go down by

adventure.

CHAPTER XXXV. How Palomides came to the castle where Sir Tristram was,

and of the quest that Sir Launcelot and ten knights made for Sir

Tristram.

And when he came to the land he took off his harness, and sat roaring

and crying as a man out of his mind. Right so came a damosel even by

Sir Palomides, that was sent from Sir Gawaine and his brother unto Sir

Mordred, that lay sick in the same place with that old knight where Sir

Tristram was. For, as the French book saith, Sir Persides hurt so Sir

Mordred a ten days afore; and had it not been for the love of Sir

Gawaine and his brother, Sir Persides had slain Sir Mordred. And so

this damosel came by Sir Palomides, and she and he had language

together, the which pleased neither of them; and so the damosel rode

her ways till she came to the old knight’s place, and there she told

that old knight how she met with the woodest knight by adventure that

ever she met withal. What bare he in his shield? said Sir Tristram. It

was indented with white and black, said the damosel. Ah, said Sir

Tristram, that was Sir Palomides, the good knight. For well I know him,

said Sir Tristram, for one of the best knights living in this realm.

Then that old knight took a little hackney, and rode for Sir Palomides,

and brought him unto his own manor; and full well knew Sir Tristram Sir

Palomides, but he said but little, for at that time Sir Tristram was

walking upon his feet, and well amended of his hurts; and always when

Sir Palomides saw Sir Tristram he would behold him full marvellously,

and ever him seemed that he had seen him. Then would he say unto Sir

Dinadan: An ever I may meet with Sir Tristram he shall not escape mine

hands. I marvel, said Sir Dinadan, that ye boast behind Sir Tristram,

for it is but late that he was in your hands, and ye in his hands; why

would ye not hold him when ye had him? for I saw myself twice or thrice

that ye gat but little worship of Sir Tristram. Then was Sir Palomides

ashamed. So leave we them a little while in the old castle with the old

knight Sir Darras.

Now shall we speak of King Arthur, that said to Sir Launcelot: Had not

ye been we had not lost Sir Tristram, for he was here daily unto the

time ye met with him, and in an evil time, said Arthur, ye encountered

with him. My lord Arthur, said Launcelot, ye put upon me that I should

be cause of his departition; God knoweth it was against my will. But

when men be hot in deeds of arms oft they hurt their friends as well as

their foes. And my lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye shall understand that

Sir Tristram is a man that I am loath to offend, for he hath done for

me more than ever I did for him as yet. But then Sir Launcelot made

bring forth a book: and then Sir Launcelot said: Here we are ten

knights that will swear upon a book never to rest one night where we

rest another this twelvemonth until that we find Sir Tristram. And as

for me, said Sir Launcelot, I promise you upon this book that an I may

meet with him, either with fairness or foulness I shall bring him to

this court, or else I shall die therefore. And the names of these ten

knights that had undertaken this quest were these following: First was

Sir Launcelot, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Bors de Ganis, and Bleoberis,

and Sir Blamore de Ganis, and Lucan the Butler, Sir Uwaine, Sir Galihud

Lionel, and Galiodin. So these ten noble knights departed from the

court of King Arthur, and so they rode upon their quest together until

they came to a cross where departed four ways, and there departed the

fellowship in four to seek Sir Tristram.

And as Sir Launcelot rode by adventure he met with Dame Bragwaine that

was sent into that country to seek Sir Tristram, and she fled as fast

as her palfrey might go. So Sir Launcelot met with her and asked her

why she fled. Ah, fair knight, said Dame Bragwaine, I flee for dread of

my life, for here followeth me Sir Breuse Saunce Pité to slay me. Hold

you nigh me, said Sir Launcelot. Then when Sir Launcelot saw Sir Breuse

Saunce Pité, Sir Launcelot cried unto him, and said: False knight,

destroyer of ladies and damosels, now thy last days be come. When Sir

Breuse Saunce Pité saw Sir Launcelot’s shield he knew it well, for at

that time he bare not the arms of Cornwall, but he bare his own shield.

And then Sir Breuse fled, and Sir Launcelot followed after him. But Sir

Breuse was so well horsed that when him list to flee he might well

flee, and also abide when him list. And then Sir Launcelot returned

unto Dame Bragwaine, and she thanked him of his great labour.

CHAPTER XXXVI. How Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan were

taken and put in prison.

Now will we speak of Sir Lucan the butler, that by fortune he came

riding to the same place thereas was Sir Tristram, and in he came in

none other intent but to ask harbour. Then the porter asked what was

his name. Tell your lord that my name is Sir Lucan, the butler, a

Knight of the Round Table. So the porter went unto Sir Darras, lord of

the place, and told him who was there to ask harbour. Nay, nay, said

Sir Daname, that was nephew to Sir Darras, say him that he shall not be

lodged here, but let him wit that I, Sir Daname, will meet with him

anon, and bid him make him ready. So Sir Daname came forth on

horseback, and there they met together with spears, and Sir Lucan smote

down Sir Daname over his horse’s croup, and then he fled into that

place, and Sir Lucan rode after him, and asked after him many times.

Then Sir Dinadan said to Sir Tristram: It is shame to see the lord’s

cousin of this place defoiled. Abide, said Sir Tristram, and I shall

redress it. And in the meanwhile Sir Dinadan was on horseback, and he

jousted with Lucan the butler, and there Sir Lucan smote Dinadan

through the thick of the thigh, and so he rode his way; and Sir

Tristram was wroth that Sir Dinadan was hurt, and followed after, and

thought to avenge him; and within a while he overtook Sir Lucan, and

bade him turn; and so they met together so that Sir Tristram hurt Sir

Lucan passing sore and gave him a fall. With that came Sir Uwaine, a

gentle knight, and when he saw Sir Lucan so hurt he called Sir Tristram

to joust with him. Fair knight, said Sir Tristram, tell me your name I

require you. Sir knight, wit ye well my name is Sir Uwaine le Fise de

Roy Ureine. Ah, said Sir Tristram, by my will I would not have ado with

you at no time. Ye shall not so, said Sir Uwaine, but ye shall have ado

with me. And then Sir Tristram saw none other bote, but rode against

him, and overthrew Sir Uwaine and hurt him in the side, and so he

departed unto his lodging again. And when Sir Dinadan understood that

Sir Tristram had hurt Sir Lucan he would have ridden after Sir Lucan

for to have slain him, but Sir Tristram would not suffer him. Then Sir

Uwaine let ordain an horse litter, and brought Sir Lucan to the abbey

of Ganis, and the castle thereby hight the Castle of Ganis, of the

which Sir Bleoberis was lord. And at that castle Sir Launcelot promised

all his fellows to meet in the quest of Sir Tristram.

So when Sir Tristram was come to his lodging there came a damosel that

told Sir Darras that three of his sons were slain at that tournament,

and two grievously wounded that they were never like to help themself.

And all this was done by a noble knight that bare the black shield, and

that was he that bare the prize. Then came there one and told Sir

Darras that the same knight was within, him that bare the black shield.

Then Sir Darras yede unto Sir Tristram’s chamber, and there he found

his shield and showed it to the damosel. Ah sir, said the damosel, that

same is he that slew your three sons. Then without any tarrying Sir

Darras put Sir Tristram, and Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan, within a

strong prison, and there Sir Tristram was like to have died of great

sickness; and every day Sir Palomides would reprove Sir Tristram of old

hate betwixt them. And ever Sir Tristram spake fair and said little.

But when Sir Palomides saw the falling of sickness of Sir Tristram,

then was he heavy for him, and comforted him in all the best wise he

could. And as the French book saith, there came forty knights to Sir

Darras that were of his own kin, and they would have slain Sir Tristram

and his two fellows, but Sir Darras would not suffer that, but kept

them in prison, and meat and drink they had. So Sir Tristram endured

there great pain, for sickness had undertaken him, and that is the

greatest pain a prisoner may have. For all the while a prisoner may

have his health of body he may endure under the mercy of God and in

hope of good deliverance; but when sickness toucheth a prisoner’s body,

then may a prisoner say all wealth is him bereft, and then he hath

cause to wail and to weep. Right so did Sir Tristram when sickness had

undertaken him, for then he took such sorrow that he had almost slain

himself.

CHAPTER XXXVII. How King Mark was sorry for the good renown of Sir

Tristram. Some of King Arthur’s knights jousted with knights of

Cornwall.

Now will we speak, and leave Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and Sir

Dinadan in prison, and speak we of other knights that sought after Sir

Tristram many divers parts of this land. And some yede into Cornwall;

and by adventure Sir Gaheris, nephew unto King Arthur, came unto King

Mark, and there he was well received and sat at King Mark’s own table

and ate of his own mess. Then King Mark asked Sir Gaheris what tidings

there were in the realm of Logris. Sir, said Sir Gaheris, the king

reigneth as a noble knight; and now but late there was a great jousts

and tournament as ever I saw any in the realm of Logris, and the most

noble knights were at that jousts. But there was one knight that did

marvellously three days, and he bare a black shield, and of all knights

that ever I saw he proved the best knight. Then, said King Mark, that

was Sir Launcelot, or Sir Palomides the paynim. Not so, said Sir

Gheris, for both Sir Launcelot and Sir Palomides were on the contrary

party against the Knight with the Black Shield. Then was it Sir

Tristram, said the king. Yea, said Sir Gaheris. And therewithal the

king smote down his head, and in his heart he feared sore that Sir

Tristram should get him such worship in the realm of Logris

wherethrough that he himself should not be able to withstand him. Thus

Sir Gaheris had great cheer with King Mark, and with Queen La Beale

Isoud, the which was glad of Sir Gaheris’ words; for well she wist by

his deeds and manners that it was Sir Tristram. And then the king made

a feast royal, and to that feast came Sir Uwaine le Fise de Roy Ureine,

and some called him Uwaine le Blanchemains. And this Sir Uwaine

challenged all the knights of Cornwall. Then was the king wood wroth

that he had no knights to answer him. Then Sir Andred, nephew unto King

Mark, leapt up and said: I will encounter with Sir Uwaine. Then he yede

and armed him and horsed him in the best manner. And there Sir Uwaine

met with Sir Andred, and smote him down that he swooned on the earth.

Then was King Mark sorry and wroth out of measure that he had no knight

to revenge his nephew, Sir Andred.

So the king called unto him Sir Dinas, the Seneschal, and prayed him

for his sake to take upon him to joust with Sir Uwaine. Sir, said Sir

Dinas, I am full loath to have ado with any knight of the Round Table.

Yet, said the king, for my love take upon thee to joust. So Sir Dinas

made him ready, and anon they encountered together with great spears,

but Sir Dinas was overthrown, horse and man, a great fall. Who was

wroth but King Mark! Alas, he said, have I no knight that will

encounter with yonder knight? Sir, said Sir Gaheris, for your sake I

will joust. So Sir Gaheris made him ready, and when he was armed he

rode into the field. And when Sir Uwaine saw Sir Gaheris’ shield he

rode to him and said: Sir, ye do not your part. For, sir, the first

time ye were made Knight of the Round Table ye sware that ye should not

have ado with your fellowship wittingly. And pardie, Sir Gaheris, ye

knew me well enough by my shield, and so do I know you by your shield,

and though ye would break your oath I would not break mine; for there

is not one here, nor ye, that shall think I am afeard of you, but I

durst right well have ado with you, and yet we be sisters’ sons. Then

was Sir Gaheris ashamed, and so therewithal every knight went their

way, and Sir Uwaine rode into the country.

Then King Mark armed him, and took his horse and his spear, with a

squire with him. And then he rode afore Sir Uwaine, and suddenly at a

gap he ran upon him as he that was not ware of him, and there he smote

him almost through the body, and there left him. So within a while

there came Sir Kay and found Sir Uwaine, and asked him how he was hurt.

I wot not, said Sir Uwaine, why nor wherefore, but by treason I am sure

I gat this hurt; for here came a knight suddenly upon me or that I was

ware, and suddenly hurt me. Then there was come Sir Andred to seek King

Mark. Thou traitor knight, said Sir Kay, an I wist it were thou that

thus traitorly hast hurt this noble knight thou shouldst never pass my

hands. Sir, said Sir Andred, I did never hurt him, and that I will

report me to himself. Fie on you false knight, said Sir Kay, for ye of

Cornwall are nought worth. So Sir Kay made carry Sir Uwaine to the

Abbey of the Black Cross, and there he was healed. And then Sir Gaheris

took his leave of King Mark, but or he departed he said: Sir king, ye

did a foul shame unto you and your court, when ye banished Sir Tristram

out of this country, for ye needed not to have doubted no knight an he

had been here. And so he departed.

CHAPTER XXVIII. Of the treason of King Mark, and how Sir Gaheris smote

him down and Andred his cousin.

Then there came Sir Kay, the Seneschal, unto King Mark, and there he

had good cheer showing outward. Now, fair lords, said he, will ye prove

any adventure in the forest of Morris, in the which I know well is as

hard an adventure as I know any. Sir, said Sir Kay, I will prove it.

And Sir Gaheris said he would be avised for King Mark was ever full of

treason: and therewithal Sir Gaheris departed and rode his way. And by

the same way that Sir Kay should ride he laid him down to rest,

charging his squire to wait upon Sir Kay; And warn me when he cometh.

So within a while Sir Kay came riding that way, and then Sir Gaheris

took his horse and met him, and said: Sir Kay, ye are not wise to ride

at the request of King Mark, for he dealeth all with treason. Then said

Sir Kay: I require you let us prove this adventure. I shall not fail

you, said Sir Gaheris. And so they rode that time till a lake that was

that time called the Perilous Lake, and there they abode under the shaw

of the wood.

The meanwhile King Mark within the castle of Tintagil avoided all his

barons, and all other save such as were privy with him were avoided out

of his chamber. And then he let call his nephew Sir Andred, and bade

arm him and horse him lightly; and by that time it was midnight. And so

King Mark was armed in black, horse and all; and so at a privy postern

they two issued out with their varlets with them, and rode till they

came to that lake. Then Sir Kay espied them first, and gat his spear,

and proffered to joust. And King Mark rode against him, and smote each

other full hard, for the moon shone as the bright day. And there at

that jousts Sir Kay’s horse fell down, for his horse was not so big as

the king’s horse, and Sir Kay’s horse bruised him full sore. Then Sir

Gaheris was wroth that Sir Kay had a fall. Then he cried: Knight, sit

thou fast in thy saddle, for I will revenge my fellow. Then King Mark

was afeard of Sir Gaheris, and so with evil will King Mark rode against

him, and Sir Gaheris gave him such a stroke that he fell down. So then

forthwithal Sir Gaheris ran unto Sir Andred and smote him from his

horse quite, that his helm smote in the earth, and nigh had broken his

neck. And therewithal Sir Gaheris alighted, and gat up Sir Kay. And

then they yode both on foot to them, and bade them yield them, and tell

their names outher they should die. Then with great pain Sir Andred

spake first, and said: It is King Mark of Cornwall, therefore be ye

ware what ye do, and I am Sir Andred, his cousin. Fie on you both, said

Sir Gaheris, for a false traitor, and false treason hast thou wrought

and he both, under the feigned cheer that ye made us! it were pity,

said Sir Gaheris, that thou shouldst live any longer. Save my life,

said King Mark, and I will make amends; and consider that I am a king

anointed. It were the more shame, said Sir Gaheris, to save thy life;

thou art a king anointed with cream, and therefore thou shouldst hold

with all men of worship; and therefore thou art worthy to die. With

that he lashed at King Mark without saying any more, and covered him

with his shield and defended him as he might. And then Sir Kay lashed

at Sir Andred, and therewithal King Mark yielded him unto Sir Gaheris.

And then he kneeled adown, and made his oath upon the cross of the

sword, that never while he lived he would be against errant-knights.

And also he sware to be good friend unto Sir Tristram if ever he came

into Cornwall.

By then Sir Andred was on the earth, and Sir Kay would have slain him.

Let be, said Sir Gaheris, slay him not I pray you. It were pity, said

Sir Kay, that he should live any longer, for this is nigh cousin unto

Sir Tristram, and ever he hath been a traitor unto him, and by him he

was exiled out of Cornwall, and therefore I will slay him, said Sir

Kay. Ye shall not, said Sir Gaheris; sithen I have given the king his

life, I pray you give him his life. And therewithal Sir Kay let him go.

And so Sir Kay and Sir Gaheris rode their way unto Dinas, the

Seneschal, for because they heard say that he loved well Sir Tristram.

So they reposed them there, and soon after they rode unto the realm of

Logris. And so within a little while they met with Sir Launcelot that

always had Dame Bragwaine with him, to that intent he weened to have

met the sooner with Sir Tristram; and Sir Launcelot asked what tidings

in Cornwall, and whether they heard of Sir Tristram or not. Sir Kay and

Sir Gaheris answered and said, that they heard not of him. Then they

told Sir Launcelot word by word of their adventure. Then Sir Launcelot

smiled and said: Hard it is to take out of the flesh that is bred in

the bone; and so made them merry together.

CHAPTER XIX. How after that Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and Sir

Dinadan had been long in prison they were delivered.

Now leave we off this tale, and speak we of Sir Dinas that had within

the castle a paramour, and she loved another knight better than him.

And so when Sir Dinas went out a-hunting she slipped down by a towel,

and took with her two brachets, and so she yede to the knight that she

loved, and he her again. And when Sir Dinas came home and missed his

paramour and his brachets, then was he the more wrother for his

brachets than for the lady. So then he rode after the knight that had

his paramour, and bade him turn and joust. So Sir Dinas smote him down,

that with the fall he brake his leg and his arm. And then his lady and

paramour cried Sir Dinas mercy, and said she would love him better than

ever she did. Nay, said Sir Dinas, I shall never trust them that once

betrayed me, and therefore, as ye have begun, so end, for I will never

meddle with you. And so Sir Dinas departed, and took his brachets with

him, and so rode to his castle.

Now will we turn unto Sir Launcelot, that was right heavy that he could

never hear no tidings of Sir Tristram, for all this while he was in

prison with Sir Darras, Palomides, and Dinadan. Then Dame Bragwaine

took her leave to go into Cornwall, and Sir Launcelot, Sir Kay, and Sir

Gaheris rode to seek Sir Tristram in the country of Surluse.

Now speaketh this tale of Sir Tristram and of his two fellows, for

every day Sir Palomides brawled and said language against Sir Tristram.

I marvel, said Sir Dinadan, of thee, Sir Palomides, an thou haddest Sir

Tristram here thou wouldst do him no harm; for an a wolf and a sheep

were together in a prison the wolf would suffer the sheep to be in

peace. And wit thou well, said Sir Dinadan, this same is Sir Tristram

at a word, and now must thou do thy best with him, and let see now if

ye can skift it with your hands. Then was Sir Palomides abashed and

said little. Sir Palomides, then said Sir Tristram, I have heard much

of your maugre against me, but I will not meddle with you as at this

time by my will, because I dread the lord of this place that hath us in

governance; for an I dread him not more than I do thee, soon it should

be skift: so they peaced themself. Right so came in a damosel and said:

Knights, be of good cheer, for ye are sure of your lives, and that I

heard say my lord, Sir Darras. Then were they glad all three, for daily

they weened they should have died.

Then soon after this Sir Tristram fell sick that he weened to have

died; then Sir Dinadan wept, and so did Sir Palomides under them both

making great sorrow. So a damosel came in to them and found them

mourning. Then she went unto Sir Darras, and told him how that mighty

knight that bare the black shield was likely to die. That shall not be,

said Sir Darras, for God defend when knights come to me for succour

that I should suffer them to die within my prison. Therefore, said Sir

Darras to the damosel, fetch that knight and his fellows afore me. And

then anon Sir Darras saw Sir Tristram brought afore him. He said: Sir

knight, me repenteth of thy sickness for thou art called a full noble

knight, and so it seemeth by thee; and wit ye well it shall never be

said that Sir Darras shall destroy such a noble knight as thou art in

prison, howbeit that thou hast slain three of my sons whereby I was

greatly aggrieved. But now shalt thou go and thy fellows, and your

harness and horses have been fair and clean kept, and ye shall go where

it liketh you, upon this covenant, that thou, knight, wilt promise me

to be good friend to my sons two that be now alive, and also that thou

tell me thy name. Sir, said he, as for me my name is Sir Tristram de

Liones, and in Cornwall was I born, and nephew I am unto King Mark. And

as for the death of your sons I might not do withal, for an they had

been the next kin that I have I might have done none otherwise. And if

I had slain them by treason or treachery I had been worthy to have

died. All this I consider, said Sir Darras, that all that ye did was by

force of knighthood, and that was the cause I would not put you to

death. But sith ye be Sir Tristram, the good knight, I pray you

heartily to be my good friend and to my sons. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I

promise you by the faith of my body, ever while I live I will do you

service, for ye have done to us but as a natural knight ought to do.

Then Sir Tristram reposed him there till that he was amended of his

sickness; and when he was big and strong they took their leave, and

every knight took their horses, and so departed and rode together till

they came to a cross way. Now fellows, said Sir Tristram, here will we

depart in sundry ways. And because Sir Dinadan had the first adventure

of him I will begin.

CHAPTER XL. How Sir Dinadan rescued a lady from Sir Breuse Saunce Pité,

and how Sir Tristram received a shield of Morgan le Fay.

So as Sir Dinadan rode by a well he found a lady making great dole.

What aileth you? said Sir Dinadan. Sir knight, said the lady, I am the

wofullest lady of the world, for within these five days here came a

knight called Sir Breuse Saunce Pité, and he slew mine own brother, and

ever since he hath kept me at his own will, and of all men in the world

I hate him most; and therefore I require you of knighthood to avenge

me, for he will not tarry, but be here anon. Let him come, said Sir

Dinadan, and because of honour of all women I will do my part. With

this came Sir Breuse, and when he saw a knight with his lady he was

wood wroth. And then he said: Sir knight, keep thee from me. So they

hurtled together as thunder, and either smote other passing sore, but

Sir Dinadan put him through the shoulder a grievous wound, and or ever

Sir Dinadan might turn him Sir Breuse was gone and fled. Then the lady

prayed him to bring her to a castle there beside but four mile thence;

and so Sir Dinadan brought her there, and she was welcome, for the lord

of that castle was her uncle; and so Sir Dinadan rode his way upon his

adventure.

Now turn we this tale unto Sir Tristram, that by adventure he came to a

castle to ask lodging, wherein was Queen Morgan le Fay; and so when Sir

Tristram was let into that castle he had good cheer all that night. And

upon the morn when he would have departed the queen said: Wit ye well

ye shall not depart lightly, for ye are here as a prisoner. Jesu

defend! said Sir Tristram, for I was but late a prisoner. Fair knight,

said the queen, ye shall abide with me till that I wit what ye are and

from whence ye come. And ever the queen would set Sir Tristram on her

own side, and her paramour on the other side. And ever Queen Morgan

would behold Sir Tristram, and thereat the knight was jealous, and was

in will suddenly to have run upon Sir Tristram with a sword, but he

left it for shame. Then the queen said to Sir Tristram: Tell me thy

name, and I shall suffer you to depart when ye will. Upon that covenant

I tell you my name is Sir Tristram de Liones. Ah, said Morgan le Fay,

an I had wist that, thou shouldst not have departed so soon as thou

shalt. But sithen I have made a promise I will hold it, with that thou

wilt promise me to bear upon thee a shield that I shall deliver thee,

unto the castle of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur had cried a great

tournament, and there I pray you that ye will be, and to do for me as

much deeds of arms as ye may do. For at the Castle of Maidens, Sir

Tristram, ye did marvellous deeds of arms as ever I heard knight do.

Madam, said Sir Tristram, let me see the shield that I shall bear. Then

the shield was brought forth, and the field was goldish, with a king

and a queen therein painted, and a knight standing above them, [one

foot] upon the king’s head, and the other upon the queen’s. Madam, said

Sir Tristram, this is a fair shield and a mighty; but what signifieth

this king and this queen, and the knight standing upon both their

heads? I shall tell you, said Morgan le Fay, it signifieth King Arthur

and Queen Guenever, and a knight who holdeth them both in bondage and

in servage. Who is that knight? said Sir Tristram. That shall ye not

wit as at this time, said the queen. But as the French book saith,

Queen Morgan loved Sir Launcelot best, and ever she desired him, and he

would never love her nor do nothing at her request, and therefore she

held many knights together for to have taken him by strength. And

because she deemed that Sir Launcelot loved Queen Guenever paramour,

and she him again, therefore Queen Morgan le Fay ordained that shield

to put Sir Launcelot to a rebuke, to that intent that King Arthur might

understand the love between them. Then Sir Tristram took that shield

and promised her to bear it at the tournament at the Castle of the Hard

Rock. But Sir Tristram knew not that that shield was ordained against

Sir Launcelot, but afterward he knew it.

CHAPTER XLI. How Sir Tristram took with him the shield, and also how he

slew the paramour of Morgan le Fay.

So then Sir Tristram took his leave of the queen, and took the shield

with him. Then came the knight that held Queen Morgan le Fay, his name

was Sir Hemison, and he made him ready to follow Sir Tristram. Fair

friend, said Morgan, ride not after that knight, for ye shall not win

no worship of him. Fie on him, coward, said Sir Hemison, for I wist

never good knight come out of Cornwall but if it were Sir Tristram de

Liones. What an that be he? said she. Nay, nay, said he, he is with La

Beale Isoud, and this is but a daffish knight. Alas, my fair friend, ye

shall find him the best knight that ever ye met withal, for I know him

better than ye do. For your sake, said Sir Hemison, I shall slay him.

Ah, fair friend, said the queen, me repenteth that ye will follow that

knight, for I fear me sore of your again coming. With this this knight

rode his way wood wroth, and he rode after Sir Tristram as fast as he

had been chased with knights. When Sir Tristram heard a knight come

after him so fast he returned about, and saw a knight coming against

him. And when he came nigh to Sir Tristram he cried on high: Sir

knight, keep thee from me. Then they rushed together as it had been

thunder, and Sir Hemison brised his spear upon Sir Tristram, but his

harness was so good that he might not hurt him. And Sir Tristram smote

him harder, and bare him through the body, and he fell over his horse’s

croup. Then Sir Tristram turned to have done more with his sword, but

he saw so much blood go from him that him seemed he was likely to die,

and so he departed from him and came to a fair manor to an old knight,

and there Sir Tristram lodged.

CHAPTER XLII. How Morgan le Fay buried her paramour, and how Sir

Tristram praised Sir Launcelot and his kin.

Now leave to speak of Sir Tristram, and speak we of the knight that was

wounded to the death. Then his varlet alighted, and took off his helm,

and then he asked his lord whether there were any life in him. There is

in me life, said the knight, but it is but little; and therefore leap

thou up behind me when thou hast holpen me up, and hold me fast that I

fall not, and bring me to Queen Morgan le Fay; for deep draughts of

death draw to my heart that I may not live, for I would fain speak with

her or I died: for else my soul will be in great peril an I die.

For[thwith] with great pain his varlet brought him to the castle, and

there Sir Hemison fell down dead. When Morgan le Fay saw him dead she

made great sorrow out of reason; and then she let despoil him unto his

shirt, and so she let him put into a tomb. And about the tomb she let

write: Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of Sir Tristram de

Liones.

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that asked the knight his host if he saw

late any knights adventurous. Sir, he said, the last night here lodged

with me Ector de Maris and a damosel with him, and that damosel told me

that he was one of the best knights of the world. That is not so, said

Sir Tristram, for I know four better knights of his own blood, and the

first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, call him the best knight, and Sir Bors

de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Blamore de Ganis, and Sir Gaheris. Nay,

said his host, Sir Gawaine is a better knight than he. That is not so,

said Sir Tristram, for I have met with them both, and I felt Sir

Gaheris for the better knight, and Sir Lamorak I call him as good as

any of them except Sir Launcelot. Why name ye not Sir Tristram? said

his host, for I account him as good as any of them. I know not Sir

Tristram, said Tristram. Thus they talked and bourded as long as them

list, and then went to rest. And on the morn Sir Tristram departed, and

took his leave of his host, and rode toward the Roche Dure, and none

adventure had Sir Tristram but that; and so he rested not till he came

to the castle, where he saw five hundred tents.

CHAPTER XLIII. How Sir Tristram at a tournament bare the shield that

Morgan le Fay delivered to him.

Then the King of Scots and the King of Ireland held against King

Arthur’s knights, and there began a great medley. So came in Sir

Tristram and did marvellous deeds of arms, for there he smote down many

knights. And ever he was afore King Arthur with that shield. And when

King Arthur saw that shield he marvelled greatly in what intent it was

made; but Queen Guenever deemed as it was, wherefore she was heavy.

Then was there a damosel of Queen Morgan in a chamber by King Arthur,

and when she heard King Arthur speak of that shield, then she spake

openly unto King Arthur. Sir King, wit ye well this shield was ordained

for you, to warn you of your shame and dishonour, and that longeth to

you and your queen. And then anon that damosel picked her away privily,

that no man wist where she was become. Then was King Arthur sad and

wroth, and asked from whence came that damosel. There was not one that

knew her nor wist where she was become. Then Queen Guenever called to

her Sir Ector de Maris, and there she made her complaint to him, and

said: I wot well this shield was made by Morgan le Fay in despite of me

and of Sir Launcelot, wherefore I dread me sore lest I should be

destroyed. And ever the king beheld Sir Tristram, that did so

marvellous deeds of arms that he wondered sore what knight he might be,

and well he wist it was not Sir Launcelot. And it was told him that Sir

Tristram was in Petit Britain with Isoud la Blanche Mains, for he

deemed, an he had been in the realm of Logris, Sir Launcelot or some of

his fellows that were in the quest of Sir Tristram that they should

have found him or that time. So King Arthur had marvel what knight he

might be. And ever Sir Arthur’s eye was on that shield. All that espied

the queen, and that made her sore afeard.

Then ever Sir Tristram smote down knights wonderly to behold, what upon

the right hand and upon the left hand, that unnethe no knight might

withstand him. And the King of Scots and the King of Ireland began to

withdraw them. When Arthur espied that, he thought that that knight

with the strange shield should not escape him. Then he called unto him

Sir Uwaine le Blanche Mains, and bade him arm him and make him ready.

So anon King Arthur and Sir Uwaine dressed them before Sir Tristram,

and required him to tell them where he had that shield. Sir, he said, I

had it of Queen Morgan le Fay, sister unto King Arthur.

So here endeth this history of this book, for it is the first book of

Sir Tristram de Liones and the second book of Sir Tristram followeth.

GLOSSARY

Abashed, abased, lowered,

Abate, depress, calm,

Abought, paid for,

Abraid, started,

Accompted, counted,

Accorded, agreed,

Accordment, agreement,

Acquit, repay,

Actually, actively,

Adoubted, afraid,

Advision, vision,

Afeard, afraid,

Afterdeal, disadvantage,

Againsay, retract,

Aknown, known,

Aligement, alleviation,

Allegeance, alleviation,

Allow, approve,

Almeries, chests,

Alther, gen. pl., of all,

Amounted, mounted,

Anealed, anointed,

Anguishly, in pain,

Anon, at once,

Apair, weaken,

Apparelled, fitted up,

Appeach, impeach,

Appealed, challenged, accused,

Appertices, displays,

Araged, enraged, ; confused,

Araised, raised,

Arase, obliterate,

Areared, reared,

Armyvestal, martial,

Array, plight, state of affairs,

Arrayed, situated,

Arson, saddle-bow,

Askance, casually,

Assoiled, absolved,

Assotted, infatuated,

Assummon, summon,

Astonied, amazed, stunned,

At, of, by,

At-after, after,

Attaint, overcome,

Aumbries, chests,

Avail (at), at an advantage,

Avaled, lowered,

Avaunt, boast,

Aventred, couched,

Avised, be advised, take thought,

Avision, vision,

Avoid, quit,

Avoided, got clear off,

Avow, vow,

Await of (in), in watch for,

Awayward, away,

Awke, sideways,

Bachelors, probationers for knighthood

Bain, bath,

Barbican, gate-tower,

Barget, little ship,

Battle, division of an army,

Bawdy, dirty,

Beams, trumpets,

Be-closed, enclosed,

Become, pp., befallen, gone to,

Bedashed, splashed,

Behests, promises,

Behight, promised,

Beholden (beholding) to, obliged to,

Behote, promised,

Benome, deprived, taken away,

Besants, gold coins,

Beseek, beseech,

Beseen, appointed, arrayed,

Beskift, shove off,

Bested, beset,

Betaken, entrusted,

Betaught, entrusted, recommended,

Betid, happened,

Betook, committed, entrusted,

Bevered, quivered,

Board, sb., deck,

Bobaunce, boasting, pride,

Boishe, bush, branch of a tree,

Boistous, rough,

Bole, trunk of a tree,

Boot, remedy,

Borrow out, redeem,

Borrows, pledges,

Bote, remedy,

Bound, ready,

Bourded, jested,

Bourder, jester,

Braced, embraced,

Brachet, little hound,

Braide, quick movement,

Brast, burst, break,

Breaths, breathing holes,

Brief, shorten,

Brim, fierce, furious,

Brised, broke,

Broached, pierced,

Broaches, spits,

Bur, hand-guard of a spear,

Burble, bubble,

Burbling, bubbling,

Burgenetts, buds, blossoms,

Bushment, ambush,

By and by, immediately,

Bywaryed, expended, bestowed,

Canel bone, collar bone,

Cankered, inveterate,

Cantel, slice, strip,

Careful, sorrowful, full of troubles,

Cast (of bread), loaves baked at the same time,

Cast, ref: v., propose,

Cedle, schedule, note,

Cere, wax over, embalm,; cerel,

Certes, certainly,

Chafe, heat, decompose,; chafed, heated,

Chaflet, platform, scaffold,

Champaign, open country,

Chariot (Fr charette), cart,

Cheer, countenance, entertainment,

Chierte, dearness,

Chrism, anointing oil,

Clatter, talk confusedly,

Cleight, clutched,

Cleped, called,

Clipping, embracing,

Cog, small boat,

Cognisance, badge, mark of distinction,

Coif, head-piece,

Comfort, strengthen, help,

Cominal, common,

Complished, complete,

Con, know, be able, ; con thanlt, be grateful,

Conserve, preserve,

Conversant, abiding in,

Cording, agreement,

Coronal, circlet,

Cost, side,

Costed, kept up with,

Couched, lay,

Courage, encourage,

Courtelage, courtyard,

Covert, sheltered,

Covetise, covetousness,

Covin, deceit,

Cream, oil,

Credence, faith,

Croup, crupper,

Curteist, most courteous,

Daffish, foolish,

Danger (in), under obligation to, in the power of,

Dawed, v tr., revived, intr. dawned,

Deadly, mortal, human,

Deal, part, portion,

Debate, quarrel, strife,

Debonair, courteous,

Deceivable, deceitful,

Defaded, faded,

Default, fault,

Defend, forbid,; defended,; forbidden,

Defoiled, trodden down, fouled, deflowered,

Degree (win the), rank, superiority,

Delibered, determined,

Deliverly, adroitly,

Departed, divided,

Departition, departure,

Dere, harm,

Descrive, describe,

Despoiled, stripped,

Detrenched, cut to pieces,

Devised, looked carefully at,

Devoir, duty, service,

Did off, doffed,

Dight, prepared,

Dindled, trembled,

Disadventure, misfortune,

Discover, reveal,

Disherited, disinherited,

Disparpled, scattered,

Dispenses, expenses,

Disperplyd, scattered,

Dispoiled, stripped,

Distained, sullied, dishonoured,

Disworship, shame,

Dole, gift of alms,

Dole, sorrow,

Domineth, dominates, rules,

Don, gift,

Doted, foolish,

Doubted, redoubtable,

Draughts, privities, secret interviews, recesses,

Drenched, drowned,

Dress, make ready,

Dressed up, raised,

Dretched, troubled in sleep,

Dretching, being troubled in sleep,

Dromounds, war vessels,

Dure, endure, last,; dured,; during,

Duresse, bondage, hardship,

Dwined, dwindled,

Eased, entertained,

Eft, after, again,

Eftures, passages,

Embattled, ranged for battle,

Embushed, concealed in the woods,

Eme, uncle,

Empoison, poison,

Emprised, undertook,

Enbraid,

Enchafe, heat,; enchafed, heated,

Enchieve, achieve,

Endlong, alongside of,

Enewed, painted,

Enforce, constrain,

Engine, device,

Enow, enough,

Enquest, enterprise,

Ensured, assured,

Entermete, intermeddle,

Errant, wandering,

Estates, ranks,

Even hand, at an equality,

Evenlong, along,

Everych, each, every one,

Faiter, vagabond,

Fare, sb., ado, commotion,

Faren, pp., treated,

Faute, lack,; fauted, lacked,

Fealty, oath of fidelity,

Fear, frighten,

Feute, trace, track,

Feuter, set in rest, couch,

Feutred, set in socket,

Fiaunce, affiance, promise,

Flang, flung,; rushed,

Flatling, prostrate,

Fleet, float,

Flemed, put to flight,

Flittered, fluttered,

Foiled, defeated, shamed,

Foined, thrust,

Foining, thrusting,

Foins, thrusts,

Foot-hot, hastily,

For-bled, spent with bleeding,

Force (no), no concern,

Fordeal, advantage,

Fordo, destroy,; fordid,

Forecast, preconcerted plot,

For-fared, worsted,

Forfend, forbid,

Forfoughten, weary with fighting,

Forhewn, hewn to pieces,

Forjousted, tired with jousting,

Forthinketh, repents,

Fortuned, happened,

Forward, vanguard,

Forwowmded, sorely wounded,

Free, noble,

Freshed,

Froward, away from,

Gad, wedge or spike of iron,

Gainest, readiest,

Gar, cause,

Gart, compelled,

Gentily, like a gentleman,

Gerfalcon, a fine hawk,

Germane, closely allied,

Gest, deed, story,

Gisarm, halberd, battle-axe,

Glaive, sword,

Glasting, barking,

Glatisant, barking, yelping,

Gobbets, lumps,

Graithed, made ready,

Gree, degree, superiority,

Greed, pp., pleased, content,

Grescs, steps,

Grimly, ugly,

Grovelling, on his face,

Guerdonless, without reward,

Guise, fashion,

Habergeon, hauberk with leggings attached,

Hair, a hair-shirt,

Hale and how, a sailor’s cry,

Halp, helped,

Halsed, embraced,

Halsing, embracing,

Handfast, betrothed,

Handsel, earnest-money,

Hangers, testicles,

Harbingers, messengers sent to prepare lodgings,

Harness, armour,

Hart of greese, fat deer,

Hauberk, coat of mail,

Haut, high, noble,

Hauteyn, haughty,

Heavy, sad,

Hete, command,

Hide, skin,

Hied, hurried,

High (on), aloud,

Higher hand, the uppermost,

Hight, called,

Hilled, covered, concealed,

Holden, held,

Holp, helped,

Holts, woods,

Hough-bone, back part of kneejoint,

Houselled, to be given the Eucharist,

Hoved, hovered, waited about,

Hurled, dashed, staggered,; hurling,

Hurtle, dash,

Incontinent, forthwith,

Ind, dark blue,

Infellowship, join in fellowship,

In like, alike,

Intermit, interpose,

Japer, jester,

Japes, jests,

Jesseraunt, a short cuirass,

Keep, sb., care,

Keep, s., care, reck,

Kemps, champions,

Kind, nature,

Kindly, natural,

Knights parters, marshals,

Know, acknowledge,

Knowledging, acknowledgment, confession,

Lain, conceal,

Langering, sauntering,

Lapped, took in her lap,

Large, generous,

Largeness, liberality,

Laton, latten, brass,

Laund, waste plain,

Layne, conceal,

Lazar-cot, leper-house,

Learn, teach,

Lears, cheeks,

Leaved, leafy,

Lecher, fornicator,

Leech, physician,

Leman, lover,

Let, caused to,

Let, hinder,

Lewdest, most ignorant,

Licours lecherous,

Lief, dear,

Liefer, more gladly,

Lieve, believe,

Limb-meal, limb from limb,

List, desire, pleasure,

Lithe, joint,

Longing unto, belonging to,

Long on (upon), because of,

Loos, praise,

Lotless, without a share,

Loveday, day for. settling disputes,

Loving, praising,

Lunes, leashes, strings,

Lusk, lubber,

Lusts, inclinations,

Maims, wounds,

Makeless, matchless,

Makers, authors, poets,

Mas,ease, discomfort,

Mal engine, evil design,

Mal-fortune, ill-luck, mishap,

Marches, borders,

Mass-penny, offering at mass for the dead,

Matche old, machicolated, with holes for defence,

Maugre, sb., despite,

Measle, disease,

Medled, mingled,

Medley, melee, general encounter,

Meiny, retinue,

Mickle, much,

Minever, ermine,

Mischieved, hurt,

Mischievous, painful,

Miscorr fort, discomfort,

Miscreature, unbeliever,

Missay, revile,; missaid,

Mo, more,

More and less, rich and poor,

Motes, notes on a horn,

Mount~ lance, amount of, extent,

Much, great,

Naked, unarmed,

Namely, especially,

Ne, nor,

Near-hand, nearly,; near,

Needly, needs, on your own compulsion,

Nesh, soft, tender,

Nigh-hand, nearly,

Nill, will not,

Nilt, will not,

Nis, ne is, is not,

Nist, ne wist, knew not,

Noblesse, nobleness,

Nobley, nobility, splendour,

Noised, reported,

Nold, would not,

Noseling, on his nose,

Not for then, nevertheless,

Notoyrly, notoriously,

Noyous, hurtful,

Obeissance, obedience,

Or, before,

Orgule, haughtiness,

Orgulist, haughtiest,

Orgulite, pride, arrogance,

Orgulous, proud,

Other, or,

Ouches, jewels,

Ought, owned,

Outcept, except,

Outher, or,

Out-taken, except,

Over-evening, last night,

Overget, overtake,

Overhylled, covered,

Over-led, domineered over,

Overlong, the length of,

Overslip, pass,

Overthwart, adj., cross,

Overthwart, sb., mischance,

Overthwart and endlong, by the breadth and length,

Painture, painting,

Paitrelles, breastplate of a horse,

Paltocks, short coats,

Parage, descent,

Pareil, like,

Passing, surpassingly,

Paynim, pagan,

Pensel, pennon,

Perclos, partition,

Perdy, par Dieu,

Perigot, falcon,

Perish, destroy,

Peron, tombstone,

Pight, pitched,

Pike, steal away,

Piked, stole,

Pillers, plunderers,

Pilling, plundering,

Pleasaunce, pleasure,

Plenour, complete,

Plump, sb., cluster,

Pointling, aiming,

Pont, bridge,

Port, gate,

Posseded, possessed,

Potestate, governor,

Precessours, predecessors,

Press, throng,

Pretendeth, belongs to,

Pricker, hard rider,

Pricking, spurring,

Prime, A.M.,

Prise, capture,

Puissance, power,

Purfle, trimming,

Purfled, embroidered,

Purvey, provide,

Quarrels, arrowheads,

Questing, barking,

Quick, alive,

Quit, repaid,; acquitted, behaved,

Raced (rased), tore,

Rack (of bulls), herd,

Raines, a town in Brittany famous for its cloth,

Ramping, raging,

Range, rank, station,

Ransacked, searched,

Rashed, fell headlong,

Rashing, rushing,

Rasing, rushing,

Rasure,

Raundon, impetuosity,

Rear, raise,

Rechate, note of recall,

Recomforted, comforted, cheered,

Recounter, rencontre, encounter,

Recover, rescue,

Rede, advise, ; sb., counsel,

Redounded, glanced back,

Religion, religious order,

Reneye, deny,

Report, refer,

Resemblaunt; semblance,

Retrayed, drew back,

Rightwise, rightly,

Rivage, shore,

Romed, roared,

Roted, practised,

Rove, cleft,

Rownsepyk, a branch,

Sacring, consecrating,

Sad, serious,

Sadly, heartily, earnestly,

Salle, room,

Samite, silk stuff with gold or silver

threads,

Sangreal, Holy Grail,

Sarps, girdles,

Saw, proverb,

Scathes, harms, hurts,

icripture, writing,

Search, probe wounds,

Selar, canopy,

Semblable, like,

Semblant, semblance,

Sendal, fine cloth,

Sennight, week,

Servage, slavery,

Sewer, officer who set on dishes and tasted them,

Shaft-mon, handbreadth,

Shaw, thicket,

Sheef, thrust,

Sheer-Thursday, Thursday in Holy Week,

Shend, harm,

Shenship, disgrace,

Shent, undone, blamed,

Shour, attack,

Shrew, rascal,

Shrewd, knavish,

Sib, akin to,

Sideling, sideways,

Siege, seat,

Signified, likened,

Siker, sure,

Sikerness, assurance,

Sith, since,

Sithen, afterwards, since,

Skift, changed,

Slade, valley,

Slake, glen,

Soil (to go to), hunting term for taking the water,

Sonds, messages,

Sort, company,

Sperd, bolted,

Spere, ask, inquire,

Spered, asked,

Sperhawk, sparrowhawk,

Sprent, sprinkled,

Stale, station,

Stark, thoroughly,

Stead, place,

Stert, started, rose quickly,

Steven, appointment,; steven ser. appointment made,

Steven, voice,

Stigh, path,

Stilly, silently,

Stint, fixed revenue,

Stonied, astonished,; became confused,

Stour, battle,

Strain, race, descent,

Strait, narrow,

Straked, blew a horn,

Sue, pursue,

Sued, pursued,

Surcingles, saddle girths,

Swang, swung,

Sweven, dream,

Swough, sound of wind,

Talent, desire,

Tallages, taxes,

Tallies, taxes,

Tamed, crushed,

Tatches, qualities,

Tene, sorrow,

Term, period of time,

Thilk, that same,

Tho, then,

Thrang, pushed,

Thrulled, pushed,

Till, to,

To-brast, burst,

To-fore, before,

To-morn, to-morrow,

Took, gave,

To-rove, broke up,

To-shivered, broken to pieces,

Traced, advanced and retreated,

Trains, devices, wiles,

Trasing, pressing forward,

Travers (met at), came across,

Traverse, slantwise,

Traversed, moved sideways,

Tray, grief,

Treatise, treaty,

Tree, timber,

Trenchant, cutting, sharp,

Tres:, hunting term,

Truage, tribute,

Trussed, packed,

Ubblie, wafer, Host,

Umbecast, cast about,

Umberere, the part of the helmet which shaded the eyes,

Umbre, shade,

Unavised, thoughtlessly,

Uncouth, strange,

Underne, - A.M.,

Ungoodly, rudely,

Unhappy, unlucky,

Unhilled, uncovered,

Unr the, scarcely,

Unsicker, unstable,

Unwimpled, uncovered,

Unwrast, untwisted, unbound,

Upright, flat on the back,

Up-so-down, upside down,

Ure, usage,

Utas, octave of a festival,

Utterance, uttermost,

Varlet, servant,

Venery, hunting,

Ven ails, breathing holes,

Villain, man of low birth,

Visors, the perforated parts of helmets,

Voided, slipped away from,

Wagging, shaking,

Waited, watched,

Waits, watches,

Wallop, gallop,

Wanhope, despair,

Wap, ripple,

Ware, aware,

Warison, reward,

Warn, forbid, refuse,

Weeds, garments,

Weltered, rolled about,

Wend, thought,

Wer-wolf, a man turned into a wolf by magic,

Where, whereas,

Wide-where, over wide space,

Wield, possess, have power over,

Wield himself, come to himself,

Wight, brave, strong,

Wightly, swiftly,

Wildsome, desolate,

Wimpled, with the head covered,

Win, make way,

Wite, v., blame,

Within-forth, on the inside,

Without-forth, on the outside,

Wittiest, cleverest,

Wittily, cleverly,

Witting, knowledge,

Wold or nold, would or would not,

Wonder, adj., wondrous,

Wonder, adv., wondrously,

Wonderly, wonderfully,

Wood, mad,

Woodness, madness,

Wood shaw, thicket of the wood,

Worship, honour,

Worshipped, cause to be honoured,

Worts, roots,

Wot, know,

Wrack, destruction,

Wroken, wreaked,

Wrothe, twisted,

Yede, ran,

Yelden, yielded,

Yerde, stick, stem,

Yode, went,

Yolden, yielded,

Y-wis, certainly,