In the days when Merlin was still free, King Melyodas de Lyones married the sister of King Mark of Cornwall and had a son by her, called Tristram (Tristan), "the sorrowfull-bonrne." The circumstances of his birth are vaguely analogous to those attending the birth of Arthur: the death of a parent — in this case Tristram's mother — unrest in the kingdom, aid to the throne from Merlin. Seven years later, King Melyodas marries again. His new wife, wishing that her own sons might succeed to the throne, plots to kill Tristram. When her plot is discovered, she is sentenced to burn, but Tristram himself pleads mercy for her and saves her. Melyodas sends Tristram to France, where he becomes a great huntsman and harper. At eighteen he returns to his father's hall.
Tristram distinguishes himself by killing Marhault and thus freeing King Mark of a debt of tribute owed to King Angwyssh of Ireland; but after the fight Tristram has wounds that cannot be healed except back in Ireland, where he got them. He returns, taking his harp, and is soon called to Angwyssh's court to play. He goes, converting his name to Tramtrist, and says nothing of his fight with Marhault, the queen's brother. Angwyssh's daughter Isode (Isolde) heals Tristram and they fall in love. He defeats her suitor Sir Palomydes in a tournament and forces him to abandon his suit for the moment.
