t sent for Nerovens
that he made once knight, and he made him to have all the rule of that
castle and of that country, under La Cote Male Taile; and so they rode
to Arthur's court all wholly together. And at Pentecost next following
there was Sir Plenorius and Sir La Cote Male Taile, called otherwise by
right Sir Breunor le Noire, both made Knights of the Table Round; and
great lands King Arthur gave them, and there Breunor le Noire wedded
that damosel Maledisant. And after she was called Beauvivante, but ever
after for the more part he was called La Cote Male Taile; and he proved
a passing noble knight, and mighty; and many worshipful deeds he did
after in his life; and Sir Plenorius proved a noble knight and full of
prowess, and all the days of their life for the most part they awaited
upon Sir Launcelot; and Sir Plenorius' brethren were ever knights of
King Arthur. And also, as the French book maketh mention, Sir La Cote
Male Taile avenged his father's death.

CHAPTER X. How La Beale Isoud sent letters to Sir Tristram by her maid
Bragwaine, and of divers adventures of Sir Tristram.

NOW leave we here Sir La Cote Male Taile, and turn we unto Sir Tristram
de Liones that was in Brittany. When La Beale Isoud understood that he
was wedded she sent to him by her maiden Bragwaine as piteous letters
as could be thought and made, and her conclusion was that, an it pleased
Sir Tristram, that he would come to her court, and bring with him Isoud
la Blanche Mains, and they should be kept as well as she herself. Then
Sir Tristram called unto him Sir Kehydius, and asked him whether he
would go with him into Cornwall secretly. He answered him that he was
ready at all times. And then he let ordain privily a little vessel,
and therein they went, Sir Tristram, Kehydius, Dame Bragwaine, and
Gouvernail, Sir Tristram's squire. So when they were in the sea a
contrarious wind blew them on the coasts of North Wales, nigh the Castle
Perilous. Then said Sir Tristram: Here shall ye abide me these ten days,
and Gouvernail, my squire, with you. And if so be I come not again by
that day take the next way into Cornwall; for in this forest are many
strange adventures, as I have heard say, and some of them I cast me to
prove or I depart. And when I may I shall hie me after you.

Then Sir Tristram and Kehydius took their horses and departed from their
fellowship. And so they rode within that forest a mile and more; and at
the last Sir Tristram s