Kabanata Kabanata 164 · How Sir Tristram won the degree at a tournament in Ireland,

. How Sir Tristram won the degree at a tournament in Ireland,

and there made Palamides to bear no more harness in a year.

Then Sir Tristram asked him what he did in those countries. Sir, he

said, I came hither with Sir Gawaine for to be made knight, and if it

please you, of your hands that I may be made knight. Await upon me as

to-morn secretly, and in the field I shall make you a knight.

Then had La Beale Isoud great suspicion unto Tramtrist, that he was

some man of worship proved, and therewith she comforted herself, and

cast more love unto him than she had done to-fore. And so on the morn

Sir Palamides made him ready to come into the field as he did the first

day. And there he smote down the King with the Hundred Knights, and the

King of Scots. Then had La Beale Isoud ordained and well arrayed Sir

Tristram in white horse and harness. And right so she let put him out

at a privy postern, and so he came into the field as it had been a

bright angel. And anon Sir Palamides espied him, and therewith he

feutred a spear unto Sir Tramtrist, and he again unto him. And there

Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palamides unto the earth. And then there

was a great noise of people: some said Sir Palamides had a fall, some

said the Knight with the Black Shield had a fall. And wit you well La

Beale Isoud was passing glad. And then Sir Gawaine and his fellows nine

had marvel what knight it might be that had smitten down Sir Palamides.

Then would there none joust with Tramtrist, but all that there were

forsook him, most and least. Then Sir Tristram made Hebes a knight, and

caused him to put himself forth, and did right well that day. So after

Sir Hebes held him with Sir Tristram.

And when Sir Palamides had received this fall, wit ye well that he was

sore ashamed, and as privily as he might he withdrew him out of the

field. All that espied Sir Tristram, and lightly he rode after Sir

Palamides and overtook him, and bade him turn, for better he would

assay him or ever he departed. Then Sir Palamides turned him, and

either lashed at other with their swords. But at the first stroke Sir

Tristram smote down Palamides, and gave him such a stroke upon the head

that he fell to the earth. So then Tristram bade yield him, and do his

commandment, or else he would slay him. When Sir Palamides beheld his

countenance, he dread his buffets so, that he granted all his askings.

Well said, said Sir Tristram, this shall be your charge. First, upon

pain of your life that ye forsake my lady La Beale Isoud, and in no

manner wise that ye draw not to her. Also this twelvemonth and a day

that ye bear none armour nor none harness of war. Now promise me this,

or here shalt thou die. Alas, said Palamides, for ever am I ashamed.

Then he sware as Sir Tristram had commanded him. Then for despite and

anger Sir Palamides cut off his harness, and threw them away.

And so Sir Tristram turned again to the castle where was La Beale

Isoud; and by the way he met with a damosel that asked after Sir

Launcelot, that won the Dolorous Guard worshipfully; and this damosel

asked Sir Tristram what he was. For it was told her that it was he that

smote down Sir Palamides, by whom the ten knights of King Arthur’s were

smitten down. Then the damosel prayed Sir Tristram to tell her what he

was, and whether that he were Sir Launcelot du Lake, for she deemed

that there was no knight in the world might do such deeds of arms but

if it were Launcelot. Fair damosel, said Sir Tristram, wit ye well that

I am not Sir Launcelot, for I was never of such prowess, but in God is

all that he may make me as good a knight as the good knight Sir

Launcelot. Now, gentle knight, said she, put up thy visor; and when she

beheld his visage she thought she saw never a better man’s visage, nor

a better faring knight. And then when the damosel knew certainly that

he was not Sir Launcelot, then she took her leave, and departed from

him. And then Sir Tristram rode privily unto the postern, where kept

him La Beale Isoud, and there she made him good cheer, and thanked God

of his good speed. So anon, within a while the king and the queen

understood that it was Tramtrist that smote down Sir Palamides; then

was he much made of, more than he was before.