# Gouvernail — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide

> Gouvernail in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

Tristram's loyal tutor and squire.

## In the story

### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-v)

Tristram's loyal tutor and companion.

### [How Sir Tristram was sent into France, and had one to govern him named Gouvernail, and how he learned to harp, hawk, and hunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii)

Appointed to govern and teach young Tristram in France.

### [How Sir Tristram arrived into the Island for to furnish the battle with Sir Marhaus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vi)

Servant to Tristram; helps him prepare and is sent back to the vessel with a message for King Mark.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii)

Tristram's man, accompanies him in the vessel to Ireland.

### [How the queen espied that Sir Tristram had slain her brother Sir Marhaus by his sword, and in what jeopardy he was.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi)

Attends to Tristram during his bath.

### [How Sir Tristram fought with two knights of the Round Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvi)

Advises Tristram against fighting the two knights but defers to his master's will.

### [How Sir Tristram rescued a child from a knight, and how Gouvernail told him of King Anguish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxi)

Tristram's man who informs him of King Anguish's predicament.

### [How Sir Tristram demanded La Beale Isoud for King Mark, and how Sir Tristram and Isoud drank the love drink.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiv)

Tristram's servant, also entrusted with the love drink.

### [How Sir Tristram rode after Palamides, and how he found him and fought with him, and by the means of Isoud the battle ceased.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxi)

Tristram's man, sent to awaken Palamides.

### [How Sir Tristram was holpen by his men, and of Queen Isoud which was put in a lazar-cote, and how Tristram was hurt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxv)

Helps rescue Tristram from the rocks and accompanies him to Brittany.

### [How Sir Tristram served in war King Howel of Brittany, and slew his adversary in the field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Advises King Howel to seek Tristram's help in the war.

### [How La Beale Isoud sent letters to Sir Tristram by her maid Bragwaine, and of divers adventures of Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x)

Squire to Sir Tristram, accompanies him on the voyage and is left with the vessel.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii)

Sent by Tristram for his horse and spear as he departs Tintagil.

### [How Damosel Bragwaine Found Tristram Sleeping by a Well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxvii)

Arrives to join Sir Tristram and is glad of the lady's presence.

### [The Knight with the Black Shield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxx)

Tristram commands him to prepare a black shield for the tournament.

### [How Sir Tristram found Palomides by a well, and brought him with him to his lodging](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxii)

Tristram's man, rides with Tristram and Dinadan into the forest; later instructs Bragwaine and Persides to avoid quarrels.

### [How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sagramore le Desirous and Sir Dodinas le Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv)

Sir Tristram's servant, fetches new harness for him.

### [How Sir Tristram met at the peron with Sir Launcelot, and how they fought together unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v)

Watches the battle and expresses concern for Sir Tristram.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/gouvernail
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters