The story begins with an account of Tristan’s origins and childhood we learn that he is orphaned as an infant and raised in a royal household in the arts of swordsmanship and chivalry in the land of Lyonesse (“Tristan and Isuelt”). Set in the medieval era in Britain, this is the story of Tristan and Iseult and their tragic love affair. No matter what brings you to this tale – it is a great read and template for the romance genre that endures to this day. Perhaps you have heard of the two young lovers yourself? Perhaps you have heard of how a mistaken love potion brought about death and destruction? Was it the wine or was it fate itself? This is the heart of the story. At the very end, both characters’ greatest desires will be thwarted as they die heartbroken and separated. As the story progresses, the audience begins to question the nature of love and fate as the characters undergo a series of challenges, a cycle of separation and reunion.

Tristan represents the embodiment of all that is chivalrous and the desire to do only what is right by the laws of his society (“Tristan and Isolde”). The lovers begin as two innocent and hopeful characters. Our text is based on the French version by Joseph Bedier, the contents of which you can read below (“Joseph Bedier”).

Despite this, many scholars believe it may be rooted in Celtic myth.

The origins of the original text are unknown adding to the mystery of the story. The story of Tristan and Iseult is an Anglo-Norman story of a love between two tragic lovers fated to be kept apart.

The Adorned by John Tristan