Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 203 summary

What happens

1. La Beale Isoud learns of Tristram’s marriage and sends Bragwaine with letters inviting him and Isoud la Blanche Mains to her court.
2. Tristram secretly sails with Kehydius, Bragwaine, and Gouvernail, but an adverse wind carries their vessel to North Wales.
3. Tristram tells his companions to wait ten days, then enters the forest with Kehydius to seek adventures.
4. They encounter a sorrowful knight beside a well, and Kehydius receives a serious chest wound in their joust.
5. The stranger also unhorses Tristram, then agrees to fight him with swords on foot.
6. After nearly two hours, Tristram asks the stranger’s identity, but the knight asks Tristram to name himself first.

In this chapter

What to notice

Tristram responds to defeat by requesting a different form of combat. His appeal to knighthood leads the stranger to accept.

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