Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 165 summary

What happens

1. Sir Tristram arrives at Tintagil, and King Mark and the barons rejoice at his return and recovery.
2. Tristram visits King Meliodas and his queen, receives lands and possessions, and returns to Mark’s court with his father’s permission.
3. Mark becomes jealous because he and Tristram love Sir Segwarides’s wife, who returns Tristram’s love.
4. The lady sends a dwarf to arrange an armed visit; Mark forces the messenger to reveal the plan and demands secrecy.
5. Mark and two knights ambush Tristram, and Mark wounds him severely in the chest.
6. Tristram knocks all three attackers down and rides wounded to the lady, who waits at a small gate.

In this chapter

What to notice

The attack makes Mark’s jealousy openly violent. Tristram’s injury also makes his defeat of the three attackers more striking.

Quick check