{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/mart/mart223.htm","path":"neu/mart/mart223.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/mart/mart223.htm","text":"CHAPTER XXX\nHow Sir Tristram behaved him the first day of the\ntournament, and there he had the prize.\nNOW turn we unto Sir Tristram de Liones, that commanded\nGouvernail, his servant, to ordain him a black shield with none\nother remembrance therein. And so Sir Persides and Sir Tristram\ndeparted from their host Sir Pellounes, and they rode early\ntoward the tournament, and then they drew them to King Carados'\nside, of Scotland; and anon knights began the field what of King\nNorthgalis' part, and what of King Carados' part, and there began\ngreat party. Then there was hurling and rashing. Right so came\nin Sir Persides and Sir Tristram and so they did fare that they\nput the King of Northgalis aback. Then came in Sir Bleoberis de\nGanis and Sir Gaheris with them of Northgalis, and then was Sir\nPersides smitten down and almost slain, for more than forty horse\nmen went over him. For Sir Bleoberis did great deeds of arms,\nand Sir Gaheris failed him not. When Sir Tristram beheld them,\nand saw them do such deeds of arms, he marvelled what they were.\nAlso Sir Tristram thought shame that Sir Persides was so done to;\nand then he gat a great spear in his hand, and then he rode to\nSir Gaheris and smote him down from his horse. And then was Sir\nBleoberis wroth, and gat a spear and rode against Sir Tristram in\ngreat ire; and there Sir Tristram met with him, and smote Sir\nBleoberis from his horse So then the King with the Hundred\nKnights was wroth, and he horsed Sir Bleoberis and Sir Gaheris\nagain, and there began a great medley; and ever Sir Tristram held\nthem passing short, and ever Sir Bleoberis was passing busy upon\nSir Tristram; and there came Sir Dinadan against Sir Tristram,\nand Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet that he swooned <404>in\nhis saddle. Then anon Sir Dinadan came to Sir Tristram and said:\nSir, I know thee better than thou weenest; but here I promise\nthee my troth I will never come against thee more, for I promise\nthee that sword of thine shall never come on mine helm.\nWith that came Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Tristram gave him such a\nbuffet that down he laid his head; and then he caught him so sore\nby the helm that he pulled him under his horse's feet. And then\nKing Arthur blew to lodging. Then Sir Tristram departed to his\npavilion, and Sir Dinadan rode with him; and Sir Persides and\nKing Arthur then, and the kings upon both parties, marvelled what\nknight that was with the black shield. Many said their advice,\nand some knew him for Sir Tristram, and held their peace and\nwould nought say. So that first day King Arthur, and all the\nkings and lords that were judges, gave Sir Tristram the prize;\nhowbeit they knew him not, but named him the Knight with the\nBlack Shield.","title":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK IX CHAPTER XXX","type":"page"}