The Romance of Tristan and Iseult
Tristan, nephew of King Mark of Cornwall, sails to Ireland to fetch the king's bride, Iseult of the golden hair. On the voyage home the two of them drink by mistake a love potion meant for the wedding night, and from then on they belong to each other, whatever oaths they swear. The story follows their deceptions at Mark's court, their exile in the forest of Morois, Tristan's marriage to another Iseult across the sea, and the black sail that ends it. The French scholar Joseph Bédier assembled this version in 1900 from the fragmentary twelfth-century poems of Béroul, Thomas and others, filling the gaps in their spirit. This edition presents the text in Hilaire Belloc's translation, in short chapters of plain, archaic prose. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Romance of Tristan and Iseult
The Romance of Tristan and Iseult by Joseph Bédier can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Romance of Tristan and Iseult online?
Yes. The Romance of Tristan and Iseult opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Romance of Tristan and Iseult free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Romance of Tristan and Iseult is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Romance of Tristan and Iseult in the public domain?
Yes. The Romance of Tristan and Iseult by Joseph Bédier is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Hilaire Belloc. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Romance of Tristan and Iseult?
About 1 h 44 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Romance of Tristan and Iseult?
The Romance of Tristan and Iseult by Joseph Bédier is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
