Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 302 summary

What happens

1. An armed stranger attacks the unarmed Sir Tristram, but Sir Palamides brings down his horse and prepares to kill him.
2. Tristram orders mercy; after the stranger escapes, Epinogris identifies him as Breuse Sance Pité, whom Palamides deeply hates.
3. At Joyous Gard, Tristram plans the journey to Lonazep, while Isoud’s presence leaves Palamides unable to speak easily or eat.
4. The party leaves in the morning and encounters Sir Galihodin with twenty knights, who wants to seize Isoud.
5. Tristram challenges Galihodin to send equal numbers, and Palamides receives permission to face four opponents himself.

In this chapter

What to notice

Tristram chooses restraint rather than killing a defeated attacker. The discovery of Breuse’s identity turns that mercy into a source of regret.

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