Introduction

The tale of Tristan and Isolde was one of the most influential
romances in the medieval period. It predated and influenced the
Arthurian romance of Lancelot and Guinevere.

Originally, the Tristan legend had nothing to do with King Arthur, but
shortly after the Vulgate Cycle (or Lancelot-Grail cycle) in c. 1235,
the Prose Tristan, the hero had joined the fellowship of the Round
Table.

There are two main traditions of the Tristan legend. The early tradition
comprised of the romances from two French poets from the second
half of the twelfth century – Thomas and Beroul. Their sources could
be trace back to the original, archetype Celtic romance.

Later traditions come from the Prose Tristan (c. 1240), which was

markedly different from the earlier tales written by Thomas and
Beroul. The Prose Tristan became the official medieval tale of Tristan
and Isolde that would provide the materials for Sir Thomas Malory,
the English author, who wrote the Le Morte d’Arthur (c. 1469).

I have decided to retell the early tradition in full, since it was closer to
the original tale. The Prose Tristan (found in Alternative Accounts)
would be briefly told at the end of the early tradition.