Tristan and Iseult (novel) facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Rosemary Sutcliff |
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| Country | Great Britain |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Arthurian romance |
| Publisher | The Bodley Head |
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Publication date
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1971 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | 0-525-41565-3 |
Tristan and Iseult is a children's novel written by Rosemary Sutcliff. It was first published in 1971. This book retells the very old legend of Tristan and Iseult. It won the Boston-Globe Horn Book Award in 1972. It was also a runner-up for the Carnegie Medal in the same year.
The story mostly takes place in Cornwall, a region in England. Sutcliff later told a shorter version of this same story in a chapter of her 1981 novel, The Sword and the Circle.
Contents
The Story of Tristan and Iseult
This section explains the main parts of the story in Rosemary Sutcliff's book.
Tristan's Early Life and Journey
The book shows Tristan as a prince from a place called Lothian. His father, King Rivalin, married the sister of King Mark. This made Tristan King Mark's nephew. Tristan's mother sadly died when he was born. His name, Tristan, comes from a Latin word meaning "sadness." This reflects his father's sorrow after losing his wife.
Tristan travels to the Kingdom of Cornwall to prove himself. He starts working for King Mark without telling anyone who he really is.
Becoming Champion of Cornwall
Tristan fights and defeats Morholt, a champion from Ireland. After this victory, his true identity is revealed. He then becomes the official Champion of Cornwall.
Morholt's weapon had a poisoned blade. Tristan was wounded by it and became very ill. He chose to be set adrift in a boat. He landed on the shores of Ireland. There, a skilled woman named Iseult of Ireland healed him. They did not meet face-to-face at this time.
A Quest for a Queen
When Tristan returns to Cornwall, he helps King Mark find a wife. Tristan is sent on a quest to find a bride for the king. This quest leads him back to Ireland.
In Ireland, Tristan defeats a dragon. Iseult heals him again after this fight. As a reward, he is offered her hand in marriage. However, Tristan promises to bring her back to Cornwall to marry his uncle, King Mark. These events are shown as a way to bring peace between the two kingdoms.
Tristan and Iseult get stranded on a distant shore for a few days. This delays their return to Cornwall. During this time, they fall in love with each other. Rosemary Sutcliff chose not to include a magical love potion in her story. She felt it made their love seem "artificial."
Life in Cornwall and Banishment
Once they return to Cornwall, Iseult marries King Mark. Both Iseult and Tristan try to act honorably. They try to keep their distance from each other. However, they eventually start a secret relationship. King Mark finds out about them.
After some difficult events, Tristan is sent away from Cornwall. He travels to Brittany and begins working for King Hoel of Brittany. Tristan becomes good friends with Hoel's son, Kahedin. Tristan also marries Hoel's daughter, Iseult of the White Hands.
Tristan's Final Days
Tristan's marriage to Iseult of the White Hands is never fully real. He still longs for Iseult of Ireland. Kahedin, Tristan's friend, is killed by the husband of a woman he loved. Tristan had helped Kahedin visit her.
Tristan is badly wounded again. He sends for Iseult of Ireland to come and heal him. The ship bringing her back is supposed to have white sails if she is on board. If she is not, it will have black sails. This is similar to the story of Theseus.
Iseult of the White Hands is jealous. She lies to Tristan, telling him the sails are black. Tristan dies from sadness and his wounds. Iseult of Ireland arrives to find him dead. She then dies by his side.
They are buried together back in Cornwall. A hazel tree grows from Tristan's heart. A honeysuckle grows from Iseult's. These two plants intertwine above their graves, showing their lasting love.
Themes in the Novel
Like many of her books, Rosemary Sutcliff tells this ancient legend in a way that feels real. She also focuses on how people are bound by their duties and promises. The story also uses the visual contrast between Tristan, who has dark hair, and Iseult, who has blonde hair.
Images for kids
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First edition of the book
