"Of Sir Tristram of Lyonesse and La Belle Ysolde"

Illustration by Arthur Rackham

This illustration from Rackham appears to be a variant on a published illustration from "Stories of King Arthur" (1910). It seems to be inspired

by the same scene depicted by the published version that is associated with the following text:

Tristram smiting him clean off his horse.

The broader context for the illustration is set within the following text:

One day the King decreed that a great tournament should be held, the victorious knight to be

the winner of the fair lady's hand, in whose honour the jousts were held. Many knight of fame

entered the lists, but one and all went down before Sir Palamides' mighty blows, and he

remained unbeaten. When the King enquired of Sir Tristram why he did no joust, the latter

replied that he had but recently recovered from his wound. At the desire of La Belle Ysolde,

however, who was beginning to suspect that "Tramtrist" was something more than he purported

to be, he consented to try his fortune in the lists.

When Sir Palamides, the Saracen, rode out the next day challenging all who cared to meet him,

Sir Tristram suddenly made his appearance, clad in white armour and riding a milk-white charger.

None knew who he was except La Belle Ysolde and his squire, who was bound to secrecy, and

many were the conjectures about the "White Knight". In the fray Sir Palamides was soon worsted,

Tristram smiting him clean off his horse.

"Of Sir Tristram of Lyonesse and La Belle Ysolde" by Arthur Rackham