King Anguish of Ireland asked Sir Tristram what he wanted for his boon for fighting for and overcoming the King's adversary.  Sir Tristram said to King Anguish, “This is all that I will desire, that ye will give me La Beale Isoud, your daughter, not for myself, but for mine uncle, King Mark, that shall have her to wife, for so have I promised him.”  Then King Anguish said sorrowfully that he would rather have Tristram marry Isoud instead of Lord Mark.  But Sir Tristram told King Anguish that he must fulfill his promise to Lord Mark and bring La Beale Isoud to Cornwall, where Lord Mark dwells. 

King Anguish replied that Tristram can do what he wishes with Isoud but he prefers that Tristram marry her himself. 

La Beale Isoud and her closest maidservant, Dame Bragwaine, prepare to leave with Sir Tristram. 

Isoud’s mother, the wife of King Anguish, gave to Dame Bragwaine a love potion, prior to Isoud’s departure.  The love potion was for La Beale Isoud and Lord Mark, because Isoud’s mother knew Isoud would not be happy married to a stranger. 

While Tristram and Isoud were in the cabin at sea, they became thirsty and saw a flask of wine, which was the love potion.  Neither knew what it was, but because it smelled and tasted like wine, they both drank it.  Tristram told Isoud that her maidservant Bragwaine must have been hiding it from them because it tasted so good.  Once they had drunk of it, they fell madly in love.  Their love would last until they died.  They consummated their love that night. 

Unfortunately, the ship landed near Castle Pluere.  Tristram hoped that they would be able to find rest there, but as soon as they entered they were taken prisoners.  The custom of the castle was that whoever rode by the castle and brought a lady, he must fight with the lord of the castle, Lord Breunor.  If Breunor won, then the knight and lady would be put to death.  If the knight won, Breunor and his lady would die.  This was why it was known as Castle Pluere, or Weeping Castle.

Written by Christine Liang, Class of 07