King Mark and La Belle Iseult

Edward Burne-Jones

Date: c. 1862

Materials: Watercolour, bodycolour and gum 

Isoude saved 

Also a subject from Morris's series of Tristram windows, this watercolour is probably painted over the original cartoon. The glass panel bears the inscription:

"How Sir Tristram being returned from Brittany into Cornwall, fled again hence and how La Belle Isoude would have slain herself for his sake with the sword had not King Mark been near and prevented her and shut her up in a tower".

Treachery

Tristram has fallen in love with Isoude, who is promised in marriage to Mark, King of Cornwall. Separated, Tristram goes mad and Isoude attempts suicide, but after saving the King's life, Tristram is forgiven and eventually takes Isoude to King Arthur's court as his bride. Although apparently reconciled to their union, King Mark treacherously kills Tristram, whereupon Isoude dies of a broken heart.