Tristan

Also known as: Lord Tristan / Tristan of Lyonesse / Tristan of the Lyonesse · Family: Lyonesse · Role: heir of Rivalen and Blanchefleur · First appears: Chapter 1 · Part 1

Tristan was born to Blanchefleur and Rivalen, whose heir Rohalt hid among his own sons to protect him from Duke Morgan. Rohalt loved him as a son while revering him as his lord, and after seven years placed him under Gorvenal, who taught him the arts of barony. Carried away by Norwegian merchants and later cast ashore, Tristan came to King Mark at Tintagel, served him for three years, and grew close to him. When Rohalt revealed Tristan’s birth, he was knighted, reclaimed his father’s land, released it to Rohalt, and returned to Cornwall with Gorvenal to serve King Mark: “But my body I give up to King Mark.”

Tristan defended Cornwall against Morholt, defeating him but suffering a poisoned wound that Iseult healed. He later sought the Lady with the Hair of Gold for King Mark, killed the dragon in Ireland, and brought Iseult to Cornwall as the king’s intended bride. During the voyage, Tristan and Iseult drank the potion meant for her and King Mark; from then on, their love bound them together in joy and sorrow. Perinis and Brangien helped them after Tristan’s return, while Andret, Guenelon, Gondoïne, and Denoalen hated Tristan and turned suspicion against him.

When King Mark ordered Tristan away, Brangien taught him a secret signal by which he and Iseult met in the orchard. Though King Mark briefly made peace with him, Tristan was condemned after another secret visit and escaped burning with help from Gorvenal, rescuing Iseult from Ivan and fleeing with her into the wood of Morois. They lived there under a royal ban until Ogrin helped them offer peace; Tristan agreed to yield Iseult and leave, then formally returned her to King Mark before beginning his exile.

In Wales, Tristan served Duke Gilain, defeated Urgan, and sent the fairy dog he won to Brangien for Iseult. At Carhaix he became brothers in arms with Kaherdin, helped defeat Duke Riol, and married Iseult of the White Hands, though his heart remained with Iseult. He returned secretly to Tintagel disguised as a fool and reunited with her before fleeing again. Later, wounded by a poisoned spear, Tristan asked Kaherdin to bring Iseult to him; Iseult of the White Hands falsely reported a black sail, and Tristan died believing Iseult had not come. King Mark carried their bodies to Tintagel and built their tombs, from which a briar grew between them.