Chương Chương 288 · How by treason Sir Tristram was brought to a tournament for

. How by treason Sir Tristram was brought to a tournament for

to have been slain, and how he was put in prison.

Now turn we from this matter, and speak we of Sir Tristram, of whom

this book is principally of, and leave we the king and the queen, Sir

Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak, and here beginneth the treason of King

Mark, that he ordained against Sir Tristram. There was cried by the

coasts of Cornwall a great tournament and jousts, and all was done by

Sir Galahalt the haut prince and King Bagdemagus, to the intent to slay

Launcelot, or else utterly destroy him and shame him, because Sir

Launcelot had always the higher degree, therefore this prince and this

king made this jousts against Sir Launcelot. And thus their counsel was

discovered unto King Mark, whereof he was full glad.

Then King Mark bethought him that he would have Sir Tristram unto that

tournament disguised that no man should know him, to that intent that

the haut prince should ween that Sir Tristram were Sir Launcelot. So at

these jousts came in Sir Tristram. And at that time Sir Launcelot was

not there, but when they saw a knight disguised do such deeds of arms,

they weened it had been Sir Launcelot. And in especial King Mark said

it was Sir Launcelot plainly. Then they set upon him, both King

Bagdemagus, and the haut prince, and their knights, that it was wonder

that ever Sir Tristram might endure that pain. Notwithstanding for all

the pain that he had, Sir Tristram won the degree at that tournament,

and there he hurt many knights and bruised them, and they hurt him and

bruised him wonderly sore. So when the jousts were all done they knew

well that it was Sir Tristram de Liones; and all that were on King

Mark’s party were glad that Sir Tristram was hurt, and the remnant were

sorry of his hurt; for Sir Tristram was not so behated as was Sir

Launcelot within the realm of England.

Then came King Mark unto Sir Tristram and said: Fair nephew, I am sorry

of your hurts. Gramercy my lord, said Sir Tristram. Then King Mark made

Sir Tristram to be put in an horse bier in great sign of love, and

said: Fair cousin, I shall be your leech myself. And so he rode forth

with Sir Tristram, and brought him to a castle by daylight. And then

King Mark made Sir Tristram to eat. And then after he gave him a drink,

the which as soon as he had drunk he fell asleep. And when it was night

he made him to be carried to another castle, and there he put him in a

strong prison, and there he ordained a man and a woman to give him his

meat and drink. So there he was a great while.

Then was Sir Tristram missed, and no creature wist where he was become.

When La Beale Isoud heard how he was missed, privily she went unto Sir

Sadok, and prayed him to espy where was Sir Tristram. Then when Sadok

wist how Sir Tristram was missed, and anon espied that he was put in

prison by King Mark and the traitors of Magouns, then Sadok and two of

his cousins laid them in an ambushment, fast by the Castle of Tintagil,

in arms. And as by fortune, there came riding King Mark and four of his

nephews, and a certain of the traitors of Magouns. When Sir Sadok

espied them he brake out of the bushment, and set there upon them. And

when King Mark espied Sir Sadok he fled as fast as he might, and there

Sir Sadok slew all the four nephews unto King Mark. But these traitors

of Magouns slew one of Sadok’s cousins with a great wound in the neck,

but Sadok smote the other to the death. Then Sir Sadok rode upon his

way unto a castle that was called Liones, and there he espied of the

treason and felony of King Mark. So they of that castle rode with Sir

Sadok till that they came to a castle that hight Arbray, and there in

the town they found Sir Dinas the Seneschal, that was a good knight.

But when Sir Sadok had told Sir Dinas of all the treason of King Mark

he defied such a king, and said he would give up his lands that he held

of him. And when he said these words all manner knights said as Sir

Dinas said. Then by his advice and of Sir Sadok’s, he let stuff all the

towns and castles within the country of Liones, and assembled all the

people that they might make.