But at that time a heathen knight, Sir Palomedes, was in Ireland, and much cherished by the king and queen.  He also loved mightily La Belle Isault, and never wearied of making her great gifts, and seeking for her favour, and was ready even to be christened for her sake.  Sir Tristram therefore hated him out of measure, and Sir Palomedes was full of rage and envy against Tristram.

And so it befell that King Anguish proclaimed a great tournament to be held, the prize whereof should be a lady called the Lady of the Launds, of near kindred to the king:  and her the winner of the tournament should wed in three days afterwards, and possess all her lands.  When La Belle Isault told Sir Tristram of this tournament, he said, “Fair lady!  I am yet a feeble knight, and but for thee had been a dead man now:  what wouldest thou I should do?  Thou knowest well I may not joust.”

“Ah, Tristram,” said she, “why wilt thou not fight in this tournament?  Sir Palomedes will be there, and will do his mightiest; and therefore be thou there, I pray thee, or else he will be winner of the prize.”

“Madam,” said Tristram, “I will go, and for thy sake will do my best; but let me go unknown to all men; and do thou, I pray thee, keep my counsel, and help me to a disguise.”

So on the day of jousting came Sir Palomedes, with a black shield, and overthrew many knights.  And all the people wondered at his prowess; for on the first day he put to the worse Sir Gawain, Sir Gaheris, Sir Agravaine, Sir Key, and many more from far and near.  And on the morrow he was conqueror again, and overthrew the king with a hundred knights and the King of Scotland.  But presently Sir Tristram rode up to the lists, having been let out at a privy postern of the castle, where none could see.  La Belle Isault had dressed him in white armour and given him a white horse and shield, and so he came suddenly into the field as it had been a bright angel.

As soon as Sir Palomedes saw him he ran at him with a great spear in rest, but Sir Tristram was ready, and at the first encounter hurled him to the ground.  Then there arose a great cry that the knight with the black shield was overthrown.  And Palomedes sorely hurt and shamed, sought out a secret way and would have left the field; but Tristram watched him, and rode after him, and bade him stay, for he had not yet done with him.  Then did Sir Palomedes turn with fury, and lash at Sir Tristram with his sword; but at the first stroke Sir Tristram smote him to the earth, and cried, “Do now all my commands, or take thy death.”  Then he yielded to Sir Tristram’s mercy, and promised to forsake La Belle Isault, and for twelve months to wear no arms or armour.  And rising up, he cut his armour off him into shreds with rage and madness, and turned and left the field:  and Sir Tristram also left the lists, and rode back to the castle through the postern gate.