La Beale Isoud

The daughter of King Anguish of Ireland. She was a noble surgeon, and at that time the fairest maid and lady of the world. (8,ix)

When Tristram came to Ireland wounded, Anguish was much moved by him and made him the great favor to put him in Izoud's ward and keeping. She examined him and found a poison in the bottom of his wound, and within a while she healed him. For this Tristram loved her a lot. He taught her to harp, and she also started to fantasize about him. Meanwhile Sir Palamides was in Ireland and were cherished with the king and every day he came to her and offered her many gifts; Izoud told Tramtrist that he intended to be christened for her sake, making him jealous. (8,ix)

One day she told him that her father had announced a tournament and jousts, and he replied that he is still inexperienced and weak to fight. Isoud was disappointed and asked him why; she pointed out that Palamides will be there and likely to win the degree, and prayed Tramtrist to be there. Tramtrist reluctantly agreed, asking keep it a secret as he was risking his life if Palamides knew it was him. Isoud said that they will do their best, and will purvfey horse and armour for him as he thinks best. (8,ix)

On the first day of the tournament indeed Palamides threw down many knights. Then came a squire seeing Tramtrist, he fell flat to his feet as courtesy, which Isoud noticed. Immediately Tramtrist ran to talk to him. (8,ix) Then she suspected that he was some proved man of worship, and comforted herself, and showed even more love to him. (8,x)

The second day Isoud ordained and well arrayed Tramtrist in white horse and harness, and had him put out at a privy postern. Isoud was glad seeing how Tristram threw Palamides. Soonafter, he came secretly to the postern, and she made great joy and thanked God of his good speed. (8,x) Tristram stayed there long and well cherished by them and especially by Isoud. (8,xi)

One day the queen and Isoud made a bath for him and as he was there, the queen and Isoud roamed up and down the chamber as Hebes and Gouvernail attended to him. They saw his sword lying on his bed, and so it happened she drew it out and both thought it's a fair sword; but the queen noticed a gap and told then to Isoud that it is the same sword that killed her uncle Marhaus. Isoud was very abashed, because she loved Tramtrist very much and knew the cruelness of her mother. (8,xi) The Queen attempted to kill Tramtrist, then he retourned to Isoud ready to leave and told everything about him, and how he came and was saved by her. Isoud expressed her sadness and said that she never owed so good will to anyone and wept. He told his real name, Tristram, and kin and promised his service for all his life; she thanked him and promised that she will not be married in 7 years without his assent, with anyone he wants; they exchanged rings and he departed as she made great dole and lamentation. (8,xii)

Anguish was summoned to Camelot to be judged, and he returned with Tristram, making known all that Tristram did for him and how. All glorified him, even her mother, but Isoud's joy couldn't be described as she loved him most than all other men. (8,xxiii)

## Travel to Cornwall

According to a promise Anguish gave to Tristram, he agreed to give her to Tristram to go to Cornwall, whom Tristram intended to give to King Mark to marry. So she was made ready to leave with Dame Bragwaine as her chief gentlewoman, and others.

Soon they took the sea, and while in their cabin, they were thirsty and Tristram brought a gold flasket that Gouvernail and Bragwaine left. It looked like wine but actually it was a love drink intended for King Mark, so after they laughed and had joy, they started loving each other for the rest of their lives.

On their way, their ship sought harbourage but they were taken prisoners in the Castle Pluere. (8,xxiv) She was put to prison with Tristram, and then a knight and a lady came to cheer them. Tristram complained to him about the customs of the castle, and the knight explained that the custom is that he must fight to the death with his lord; and then if if Isoud is not as beautiful as his wife, she will lose her head also. Tristram was confident that Isoud will pass the challenge.

The next day the knight returned and made them ready to go to the field. Then came Lord Breunor, with his wife asking to see Isoud, saying that whoever is less fair will lose her head, and if his wife dies, he will fight to win Isoud. Tristram said that he prefers to lose his head in place of Isoud's. Breunor said that the ladies will be judged first. Tristram replied that he is sure that Isoud is the frairest and will challenge anyone saying otherwise; so he showed Isoud and turned her about thrice with his sword and indeed all agreed that Isoud is the fairest, and Breunor heard some say she is the fairest they ever saw. So Tristram killed the lady and they prepared to fight for Isoud. (8,xxv) Tristram won (8,xxvi) and after fighting and according with Breunor's son (8,xxvii) they sailed off and reached Cornwall, where all the barons met them. (8,xxviii)

## Marriage

Soon they had a rich and noble wedding with a long feast, but as the French book says, Tristram and Isoud always loved each other.

Soon after the feast ended, her maiden Bragwaine was missing, and she loved her most for leaving their country to be with her, and she was very sad. She walked in the forest to calm herself, but she started crying near a well. Suddenly Palamides came and hearing her, promised to bring Bragwaine to her for a reward. Isoud was so glad that accepted without much thought. The knight told her to wait for half an hour and she complied. Indeed Palamides returned and Isoud was very happy to see her maid again. Palamides remidned her promise, and the queen said that she doesn't know his desire but despite her promise she won't do anything evil. Palamides said that he will reveal it before her husband, so they departed and she rode home with the knight. (8,xxix)

Palamides told to the king what happened; asked by her husband she confirmed that she promised a reward for the love and joy to see Bragwaine again. Mark instructed her to fulfill her promise even though she gave it in haste. Palamides then asked to have Isoud. Mark gave his permission, warning that he won't enjoy her long.

## Capture

Palamides took her by the hand and reminded her promise. Isoud said that although he took advantage of her desperation, she is not afraid, sure that she will be rescued. She was set behind him as he rode his way. Soon a knight of Tristram overtook them and Palamides left her to meet him; as they fought Isoud ran into the forest. She found a well and thought to drawn herself, but then Sir Adtherp found and rescued her, and brought her to his castle nearby. When he learned who she is, he prepared to go and fight Palamides. But Adtherp didn't return, and at a window Isoud saw Palamides coming instead, and she made the gates to be shut strongly. Palamides then sat ouside the gates (8,xxx) Tristram came and challenged him. Isoud lay on the walls and beheld them how they fought for her out of measure, more that 2 hours, and she swooned, feeling dole and sorrow seeing the man she loves fighting another whom she doesn't love. But she didn't wish to see Palamides die as a Saracen without being christened, and went down and asked Tristram to stop fighting. Tristram feared of shame, but Isoud said he doesn't want his dishonor, but spare the poor Saracen. Isoud ordered him to leave the country as long as she is there, and go to the court of King Arthur and recommend her to Guenever, with the word that there are only 4 lovers in this land: Launcelot and Guenever, and Tristram and Isoud. (8,xxxi)

Tristram took her back to Mark and there was great joy for her return. After a long time of joy and play, one day they were talking in a window and Sir Andred saw them, and reported to the King. Mark tried to kill Tristram but he fled and turned against Mark's knights. One came wounded, holding the head of his brother, and fell dead before the couple. (8,xxxii)

Eventually they accorded and Tristram returned; Mark with Isoud and Tristram went hunting. (8,xxxii) They set their pavilions by a river in the forest where the men hunted and jousted. (8,xxxiii)

Soon a knight came and delivered to him a horn saying that it it can test the fidelity of a lady. So Mark made Isoud to drink, and 100 ladies, and seeing that she spilled it, he swore to burn her and all who were unfaithful. The barons however objected to let the ladies burn because of an object of sorcery that came from Morgan. (8,xxxiv)

Tristram used to visit her whenever he could, day or night, but they didn't know that his cousin Andred still spied on them. One night he with 12 knights came while Tristram was naked abed with her, and arrested him. (8,xxxiv) Isoud was taken by Andred's people and put in a leper-hut. But Tristram escaped and soon came with his men Gouvernail, Lambegus and Sentraille and fetched her away. The following time they stayed in an old fair manor in the forest. (8,xxxv)

But Mark learned about it and came with many men to kill Tristram but he was away in the forest; they took Isoud, and kept her closed that she could not communicate with Tristram or he with her. However she sent Bragwaine's cousin and, as she could not help him (somehow she learned that he was wounded by a poisoned arrow) she advised him to go to Brittany and seek help from Isoud la Blanche Mains, the daughter of King Howel. (8,xxxv)

When Segwarides returned to Cornwall he told to Mark and the queen Tristram's exploits in the Isle of Servage, and she was devastated to learn that he had married Isoud (8,xxxix). She wrote a letter to Queen Guenever with her complains. Guenever replied, promising that joy will come after sorrow and Tristram will escape the other's enchantment and will love Isoud again. (8,xxxvii)

During the War with Rome, Sir Tristram was left with King Mark for the love of Beale Isould. (5,iii)