Edited, abridged, modernized and translated by Joseph Bédier Tristan and Iseult Edited, abridged, modernized and translated by Joseph Bédier

The Great Tale of Love from the Middle Ages

Mark, King of Cornwall

Tintagel in Cornwall Tintagel

Cornwall

Blanschefleur, Tristan’s Mother & King Mark’s Sister

Rivalin and Blanschefleur

Blanschefleur and Rivalin

Tristan’s Birth

Tristan is kidnapped!

Tristan speaks with pilgrims “No, my father is a burgess. I left his home unbeknownst upon a ship that trafficked to a far place, for I wished to learn how men lived in foreign lands.”

Tristan becomes a knight

Tristan and the Morholt in Battle “No man saw the combat; but thrice the salt sea-breeze had wafted or seemed to waft a cry of fury to the land.”

Tantris in the Skiff “He bore him into a boat with neither sail nor oar and Tristan wished that his harp only should be placed beside him: for sails he could not lift, nor oar ply, nor sword wield; and as a seaman on some long voyage casts to the sea a beloved companion dead, so Gorvenal pushed out to sea that boat where his dear son lay; and the sea drew him away. For seven days and seven nights the sea so drew him…”

Iseult heals the wounded Tantris

Music, Lies and Love

Tristan playing his harp

Tristan comes back to Cornwall

Tristan sails to Dublin to fetch Iseult for King Mark

Tristan kills the Dragon

Tristan cuts off the Dragon’s Tongue

Iseult heals the wounded Tristan

Iseult playing with Tristan’s Sword “To wipe it clean she drew the blood-stained sword from its rich sheath. She saw that it was heavily notched; noticed the shape of the dent; was this not the blade that had broken off in Morholt’s skull?”

Tristan claims Iseult for Mark “Iseult the Fair trembled for shame and anguish.”

Tristan brings Iseult back to Cornwall

Brangien

Iseult und Tristan drink

The Love Potion

The Love Potion

You have Drunk your Death “Cursed be the day I was born and cursed the day that I first trod this deck. Iseult, my friend, and Tristan, you have drunk death together.” “…Well then, come Death.”

Tristan and Iseult