Kabanata Kabanata 224 · How Sir Tristram behaved him the first day of the

. 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.