Sir Tristram

Also known as: Knight with the Black Shield / Sir I Tristram / Sir Tristram de Liones / Sir Tristram of Cornwall / Tramtrist / Tristram / Tristram de Liones / the Knight with the Black Shield / the knight that beareth the arms of Cornwall / young Tristram · Family: Arthurian world · Role: knight · First appears: Book II, Chapter VIII

In Book VIII, Sir Tristram is born to King Meliodas and Elizabeth in the forest, and is named for his sorrowful birth. After King Meliodas would not let him remain at court, he was sent with Gouvernail to France, where he learned language, nurture, deeds of arms, harp-playing, hunting, and hawking. Returning to Cornwall at eighteen, he sought knighthood from King Mark, who made him a knight so that he might fight Sir Marhaus. Tristram declared, “I will never yield me for cowardice,” and defeated Sir Marhaus in the battle for Cornwall’s tribute, though he was gravely wounded. King Mark took him to Tintagil, then sent him to Ireland, where King Anguish placed him in La Beale Isoud’s care; she healed him, and Tristram cast great love toward her. He taught her to harp, pledged himself to her, and exchanged rings with her before departing.

After Tristram returned to King Mark, jealousy arose between them because they loved the same lady, and King Mark eventually sought his destruction. Tristram continued to fight for Cornwall and for those who sought his aid: he defeated Sir Palamides, served King Anguish as champion against Sir Blamore, rescued a stolen child for Sir Launcelot, and defended La Beale Isoud at Castle Pluere. He and La Beale Isoud drank a love potion and became devoted to one another, after which he brought her to King Mark. Their secret meetings led to attacks by Sir Segwarides and King Mark, and Tristram was repeatedly wounded, imprisoned, and forced into flight. In Brittany, Isoud la Blanche Mains healed him, and he agreed to marry her, while Sir Launcelot declared that their love was ended and that he was now Tristram’s mortal enemy. Tristram later abandoned his malice with Sir Lamorak, slew Sir Nabon, and granted the conquered country to Sir Segwarides.