Medieval Arthurian Legend
The Story of Sir Tristrem
14th century, Middle English, National Library of Scotland.
Trystram managed to deliver a blow with his sword that took off the giant’s foot.
The forest was a beautiful one, with many a wonderful tree. Trystram decided to go hunting in it, come what may. ‘I will explore this country, whatever chances to happen as a result,’ he said.
Trystram set off in pursuit of a hart, into the district where the boundary markers were. His hounds chased beyond them. The water was broad and black, but Trystram quickly followed his dogs. He blew the prize in the way that he knew how – three notes or more.
Beliagog appeared, and asked Trystram who he was. ‘I’ve come riding here to hunt. My name is Trystram,’ he replied.
‘Ah! Are you the one who killed my brother Moraunt? You killed my brother Urgan as well. You shall atone for this offence, now that you are in my land!’
‘I killed Urgan, and I hope to kill you as well,’ said Trystram. ‘I shall fell this forest and build a castle. It is lovely here. I claim this land for myself.’
The giant listened to this, and his anger grew. It was not long before a fight broke out.
Beliagog threw a volley of javelins that very nearly killed Trystram. One of the spears passed between Trystram’s coat of chainmail and his side, and he thanked God Almighty that he had managed to dodge it just in time. He redoubled his efforts and fought back valiantly, but Beliagog fought ferociously, like a fiend, and nearly killed Trystram again, as Thomas has told us. But Trystram managed to deliver a blow with his sword that took off the giant’s foot. He fell at once, in a crumpled heap, that huge man, and cried: ‘Trystram, let us come to terms. You can have my lands. I am defeated. I’ll never make any claims against you now, for you have defeated me in battle.’
Beliagog showed Trystram his treasure. Trystram knew the giant's generosity. He made him promise that he would construct for him a hall in honour of Isolde and Brangwain.
The geaunt him gan lede, til he fond an hald; the water about yede, it was his eldren hald.
The giant led Trystram until they came to an old secluded place of refuge and defence, surrounded by water. It was his ancestor’s stronghold. Beliagog invited Trystram to build it anew; he would assign some fine masons and craftsmen to the job, and provide the finest timber from his forests. Trystram wanted to have the beautiful Isolde there.