Tristram

Tristram was born by a dying woman. He was raised by foster parents. He learned the arts of hunting, riding, and fighting. He was kidnapped by sailors but he still arrived at the court of King Mark of Cornwall. Marhault demanded tribute to King Mark so Tristram challenged the knight. Marhault initially received fatal wounds. He sailed back to Ireland to die. Tristram was also severely hurt but would eventually heal. Tristram was brought to Ireland, where he took on a false name and went to the Irish court as a minstrel. Tristram’s wounds were healed in return for his teaching the Queen’s daughter to play the harp. When Tristram returned to Cornwall he told King Mark of the Queen’s beautiful daughter, Iseult. The king decided that she would be his queen. Tristram was sent to get her. He wanted to redeem himself for killing Marhault so he slew a dragon that was destroying the land but another man took the credit for it when Tristram passed out from the dragon’s poison. Tristram was allowed to see Iseult to Cornwall after defeating a knight. Tristram and Iseult accidentally drank a love potion on the return and fell deeply in love. Out of honor, Iseult still married King Mark. Tristram and Iseult continued to see one another until one day someone told King Mark who tried to kill Tristram. He failed but Tristram was banished from Cornwall. Iseult continued to see Tristram through various means. Tristram's son became famous for his services to King Arthur’s court. He was awarded a seat at King Arthur’s round table. Although he was happy he still grieved over his love for Iseult. He married another woman named Iseult as a consolation. He respected his wife but could not forget his true love. Tristram was wounded with a poisoned spear while trying to save his brother-in-law. He knew the only one that could save him was his true love, Iseult. He sent someone to fetch her. If she returned with him he was to hoist a white sail but if she didn’t the sail would black. Tristram was weak so he asked his wife to tell him the color of the sail. It was white but being jealous she said it was black and he died. Iseult, his love, died also from being heart sick. King Mark forgave Tristram and allowed his body to be buried in his chapel. Out of Tristram’s grave grew a vine. It grew into Iseult’s grave and no one could stop it.