2.Childhood of Tristan and the Tragic Origins of His Birth
King Rivalen of Loonnois crosses the sea to aid King Mark of Cornwall against his enemies and wins the hand of Mark sister, Blanchefleur. Shortly after their marriage in Tintagel, news arrives that Duke Morgan has invaded Loonnois. Rivalen returns to his distant land with Blanchefleur, who is pregnant, and leaves her at Kanoël under the protection of his loyal marshal, Rohalt the Faith Keeper, before leaving to fight the war. Rivalen is treacherously slain by Duke Morgan, and upon hearing the news, Blanchefleur refuses comfort, gives birth to a son on the fourth day, names him Tristan because of her deep sorrow, and dies immediately afterward.
Rohalt takes in the newborn orphan, but as Duke Morgan’s men surround Kanoël, the marshal is forced to surrender to save the child, secretly passing Tristan off as his own son. After seven years, Rohalt entrusts Tristan to the wise squire Gorvenal, who teaches the boy the arts appropriate for a young baron, including horsemanship, combat with lance and sword, hunting, and playing the harp. Tristan grows up to be noble, strong, and skilled, admired by all around him while Rohalt secretly reveres him as his true lord.
Tristan Defeats the Morholt
When the giant Irish knight Morholt arrives in Cornwall to demand a heavy tribute of copper, silver, and youths, the Cornish barons sit in terrified silence, unable to find a champion willing to face him. Young Tristan bravely steps forward to defend the country's freedom and rows alone to the island of Saint-Samson to fight the invader. After a fierce battle, Tristan slays the Morholt, though a piece of his sword breaks off and remains embedded in the giant's skull. Returning victorious to Tintagel, Tristan collapses from his wounds, which are soon discovered to be poisoned by the weapon's venom.
As his flesh rots and the foul stench drives most away, Tristan begs King Mark to set him adrift alone in a rudderless boat with only his harp. The tide carries him across the sea to Weisefort in Ireland, where he is rescued and healed by Iseut the Blonde, the slain Morholt's niece, though she remains entirely unaware that he is her uncle's killer. Concealing his true identity with a clever tale of being a wandering minstrel, Tristan recovers his strength and eventually escapes back to Cornwall, where King Mark and his loyal subjects joyfully welcome him home.
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