Home » Reading & Literature » Mythology » Sir Tristan

Sir Tristan

© Linda Casselman

Our quest for the knight who found the Holy Grail continues this week with a look at my favourite knight, Sir Tristan. We have already explored the figure of Sir Tristan with a series of articles on a look at the Myth of Romantic Love. We read about the tragic love story between Sir Tristan and Princess Iseult, the wife of his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall. The pair drank a love potion and remained devoted to each other even though their love was forbidden. But their tale ended sadly with the lovers' demise through trickery. Tristan and Iseult loved each other absolutely. Each found the divine in the other, and this is true romantic love.

Poor Sir Tristan, he ended his life just as sadly as be began it, for you see, "Tristan" means child of sadness. And this name was given to him after his mother died in childbirth. Young Tristan journeyed to his uncle Mark's court where he grew strong and became a brave and talented knight. Tales of his exploits tell of how he later joined King Arthur's court and took a seat at the Round Table. (Sir Tristan was a late addition to Arthurian Legend.)

What about the Holy Grail? The Quest?
Indeed, Sir Tristan did set out on that all-important quest to humbly seek the Grail.
Did he find it? Almost!

Sir Tristan joined his fellow Knights of the Round Table on their divine quest, but he genuinely doubted his fortune at finding the Grail because of his affair with Iseult. He knew that only the purest and most humble souls merited the Grail.

On his holy mission, however, Sir Tristan came across a glorious castle shimmering with brilliant light and surrounded by enchanting song. Was this Castle Carbonek, the Grail Castle?

As he neared the wondrous site, an intense, burning ray of light suddenly beat Sir Tristan back, keeping him from reaching the castle, and ultimately from reaching the Grail and the heavenly release it could provide.

And so, poor Sir Tristan also came close to attaining the Holy Grail, but he was not pure enough to enter into its presence and receive its holy gifts.
Our quest continues then...

Join me next time as we look at one of the most popular, if not the most popular, Knight of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot.