Iseult of the White Hands
Family: Brittany · Role: daughter of Duke Hod and sister of Kaherdin · First appears: Chapter 13 · Part 1
In Chapter 13, Iseult of the White Hands was Kaherdin’s sister, and he praised her simplicity and beauty to Tristan, who responded more gently when he heard her name. Duke Hod offered her to Tristan in payment for land, saying, “I shall be quit with you if you will take my daughter, Iseult of the White Hands,” and Tristan accepted; they married according to Church law at the minster gate. That same night, seeing Iseult’s ring, Tristan realized he had wronged both Iseults.
In Chapter 14, Kariado revealed to Iseult that Tristan had married Iseult of the White Hands. By Chapter 15, Iseult of the White Hands had overheard Tristan’s message and, having loved him, began plotting vengeance. When Tristan lay ill and waited for Kaherdin, she falsely told him of the approaching sail, saying, “For its colour, why, it is black,” and so betrayed him.
Relationship record
Life events
- Duke Hoël offers Tristan his daughter, and Tristan accepts her as his bride.(Chapter 13 · Part 2)
- Tristan marries Iseult of the White Hands according to Church law.(Chapter 13 · Part 2)
- With: Tristan
- “before all, at the gate of the minster, Tristan wed Iseult of the White Hands, according to the Church’s law.”
- Seeing Iseult the Fair’s ring, Tristan realizes he has betrayed both Iseults.(Chapter 13 · Part 2)
- Kariado reveals that Tristan has married Iseult of the White Hands.(Chapter 14 · Part 1 · 📍 Tintagel)
- Iseult of the White Hands overhears Tristan’s message and begins plotting vengeance.(Chapter 15 · Part 1)
- With: Tristan
- “But behind the wall, Iseult of the White Hands heard all these things; and Tristan continued:”
- Iseult of the White Hands falsely identifies Kaherdin’s sail as black, betraying Tristan.(Chapter 15 · Part 2)
- With: Tristan
- “For its colour, why, it is black.”
Chapter 13 · Part 1
- siblings with Kaherdin “Of right, good sister, are you called, ‘Iseult of the White Hands.’”
- admirer: Kaherdin “often did Kaherdin praise to his comrade his sister, Iseult of the White Hands, for her simplicity and beauty.”
- admirer: Tristan “But Tristan, hearing her name, smiled and looked at her more gently.”
Chapter 13 · Part 2
- parent: Duke Hod “Friend, I owe you my land, but I shall be quit with you if you will take my daughter, Iseult of the White Hands, who comes of kings and of queens, and of dukes before them in blood.”
- married with Tristan “So the day was fixed, and the Duke came with his friends and Tristan with his, and before all, at the gate of the minster, Tristan wed Iseult of the White Hands, according to the Church’s law.”
Chapter 14 · Part 1
- married with Tristan “He has wed in great pomp Iseult of the White Hands, the King of Brittany’s daughter.’’”
Chapter 15 · Part 1
- admired: Tristan (Her love is explicitly stated, though she seeks vengeance against him.) “So Iseult of the White Hands, who had heard every word, and who had so loved Tristan, waited her vengeance upon what she loved most in the world.”
- siblings with Kaherdin (The sister is Iseult of the White Hands.) “And tell your sister nothing, or tell her that you seek some doctor.”
Chapter 15 · Part 2
- rivals with Iseult “Lady, rise and let me come by him; I have more right to mourn him than have you—believe me. I loved him more.”
- with Tristan (interaction) “Then it was that Iseult of the White Hands took her vengeance. She came to where Tristan lay, and she said: ‘Friend, Kaherdin is here. I have seen his ship upon the sea. She comes up hardly—yet I know her; may he bring that which shall heal thee, friend.’”
- friends with Tristan “She came to where Tristan lay, and she said: “Friend, Kaherdin is here.”
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Extracted from the original text of The Romance of Tristan and Iseult. Made with Rho MD.