# King Mark of Cornwall — Le Morte d’Arthur character guide > King Mark of Cornwall in Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mark, King Mark **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot Tristram's uncle and lord, husband of Isoud, whose jealousy and treachery poison the love at the heart of his court. ## Who they are Mark is king in Cornwall, uncle to Tristram and husband to La Beale Isoud, and the bond between his nephew and his queen is the wound he cannot leave alone. He is a lord of shifting counsel, capable of tenderness toward Tristram and of plotting his death, and his suspicion drives the Tristan books forward. His treachery against his own blood shows how a court can rot from within, and his line of Cornwall stands as a dark counterweight to Arthur's Camelot. ## In the story ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Finds the bodies, laments the lovers' true love, and builds a tomb for them. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) Present at the tomb, questions Merlin, then departs to Camelot. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-v) Tristram's uncle and antagonist; his jealousy and treachery drive the plot. ### [How King Arthur held a parliament at York, and how he ordained the realm should be governed in his absence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the one with whom Tristram was left. ### [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-viii) Tristram's uncle and rival; his jealousy and treachery drive much of the conflict. ### [How Sir Tristram de Liones was born, and how his mother died at his birth, wherefore she named him Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/i) Brother of Elizabeth, mentioned as the king of Cornwall. ### [How Sir Marhaus Came for Truage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/iv) Refuses to pay truage and seeks a champion to fight Sir Marhaus. ### [How Tristram Enterprised the Battle to Fight for the Truage of Cornwall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/v) Uncle of Tristram, he knights his nephew and arranges the battle with Sir Marhaus. ### [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) Mentioned as Tristram's uncle; Tristram sends him a message regarding his possible death. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) Weeps over Tristram's wounds and sends him to Ireland for healing. ### [How Sir Tristram departed from the king and La Beale Isoud out of Ireland for to come into Cornwall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as Tristram's uncle and the reason Tristram fought for Cornwall's truage. ### [How Sir Tristram and King Mark hurted each other for the love of a knight's wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii) Welcomes Tristram but grows jealous over the lady, ambushes Tristram, and is wounded in the ensuing fight. ### [How Sir Tristram lay with the lady, and how her husband fought with Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv) Secretly hates Tristram after their night encounter, though he outwardly comforts him. ### [How Sir Bleoberis Demanded the Fairest Lady in King Mark's Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv) Grants Sir Bleoberis a boon, reluctantly allowing him to take Sir Segwarides' wife. ### [How the lady forsook Sir Tristram and abode with Sir Bleoberis, and how she desired to go to her husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii) Gave Bleoberis the choice of a gift; is later told of the battle by the lady. ### [How King Mark sent Sir Tristram for La Beale Isoud toward Ireland, and how by fortune he arrived into England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix) Plots to destroy Sir Tristram by sending him on a dangerous mission to Ireland for La Beale Isoud. ### [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) The intended husband for La Beale Isoud, though the love potion is consumed by Tristram and Isoud instead. ### [How Sir Galahad fought with Sir Tristram, and how Sir Tristram yielded him and promised to fellowship with Launcelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxvii) Mentioned as the one who sent Sir Tristram to fetch La Beale Isoud. ### [Of the Wedding of King Mark to La Beale Isoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxix) Wedded to La Beale Isoud; presides over the feast and later hears Palamides' demand. ### [The Abduction of Queen Isoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxx) Reluctantly allows Palomides to take the queen, then sends for Tristram and later Lambegus to rescue her. ### [How Sir Tristram brought Queen Isoud home, and of the debate of King Mark and Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxii) Attacks Tristram in anger but is disarmed and struck; later reconciled with Tristram on counsel of his barons. ### [How Sir Lamorak jousted with thirty knights, and Sir Tristram at the request of King Mark smote his horse down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxiii) Commands Sir Tristram to joust with Sir Lamorak despite Tristram's objections. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxiv) Receives the horn and tests Queen Isoud, swearing to burn her. ### [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) Captures La Beale Isoud and keeps her from Tristram. ### [How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon, and overcame him, and made Sir Segwarides lord of the isle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxix) Told by Segwarides of Tristram's deeds. ### [Book IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/book-ix) Husband of Isoud, antagonist to Tristram. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as the recipient of the horn sent by Lamorak. ### [How Sir Tristram came to La Beale Isoud, and how Kehydius began to love Beale Isoud, and of a letter that Tristram found](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xvii) Plays chess below the chamber window; Kehydius falls past him and excuses himself as having slumbered. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xviii) Observes Tristram's departure from Tintagil and welcomes Sir Gingalin. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xix) Encountered by Palomides and Kehydius, excuses himself for Tristram's misery, and later mistakes the naked Tristram for Sir Matto le Breune. ### [The False Report of Tristram's Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx) Mourns Tristram's reported death and prevents Isoud from killing herself. ### [How King Mark found Sir Tristram naked, and made him to be borne home to Tintagil, and how he was there known by a brachet.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxi) Commands the hunt, finds Tristram, and brings him to Tintagil. ### [How King Mark Banished Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxii) Banishes Tristram after identifying him; regrets Tristram's recovery. ### [How King Mark was sorry for the good renown of Sir Tristram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxviii) King Mark is wroth and fearful upon hearing of Tristram's prowess; he later treacherously ambushes Sir Uwaine. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxix) Plots treason against Sir Kay and Sir Gaheris, is defeated and forced to swear an oath of peace. ### [How for the despite of Sir Tristram King Mark came with two knights into England, and how he slew one of the knights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/vii) Consumed by jealousy and suspicion, he disguises himself and travels to England with the intent to murder Sir Tristram. ### [How King Mark came to a fountain where he found Sir Lamorak complaining for the love of King Lot's wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/viii) Overhears Lamorak's complaint, is insulted by Lamorak and Dinadan, jousts and fights with Lamorak and is defeated. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/ix) Recognized by Berluse as the traitor who killed his father; spared for the moment due to the hospitality of the castle. ### [How Sir Berluse met with King Mark, and how Sir Dinadan took his part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/x) Travels with Sir Dinadan, is attacked by Sir Berluse, and is saved by Dinadan; described as a murderer. ### [How King Mark mocked Sir Dinadan, and how they met with six knights of the Round Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xi) Mocks Sir Dinadan, refuses to joust, flees from the six knights, and is denounced as a coward and murderer. ### [How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to joust with King Mark, and how King Mark refused him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xii) Travels in disguise, shows cowardice by fleeing from Sir Dagonet, and is the butt of the knights' joke. ### [How Sir Palomides by adventure met King Mark flying, and how he overthrew Dagonet and other knights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiii) Flees from a knight and meets Sir Palomides, who defends him. ### [How King Mark and Sir Dinadan heard Sir Palomides making great sorrow and mourning for La Beale Isoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xiv) Overhears Sir Palomides lamenting his love for La Beale Isoud and denouncing him; flees to Camelot and kills Sir Amant in a duel. ### [How King Mark had slain Sir Amant wrongfully to-fore King Arthur, and Sir Launcelot fetched King Mark to King Arthur.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xv) Slays Sir Amant and Sir Bersules; yields to Sir Launcelot and humbles himself before Arthur. ### [The Tale of Sir Lamorak's Prowess and the Questing Beast Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xx) Is chased by Sir Dagonet and rescued by Sir Palomides; his identity is revealed through a message to Palomides' mother. ### [How King Arthur made King Mark to be accorded with Sir Tristram, and how they departed toward Cornwall.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxii) Swears falsely to be good lord to Sir Tristram, but plans treachery. ### [How Sir Percivale was made knight of King Arthur, and how a dumb maid spake, and brought him to the Round Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxiii) Departed from court with Sir Tristram, causing great sorrow. ### [How King Arthur, the Queen, and Launcelot received letters out of Cornwall, and of the answer again.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxvi) Receives letters from Arthur and Launcelot; suspects treason by Tristram; sends secret letters to Arthur. ### [How Sir Tristram was hurt, and of a war made to King Mark; and of Sir Tristram how he promised to rescue him.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxviii) Reluctantly sends for Sir Tristram despite hating him, leads the defense against the Sessoins, and retreats to Tintagil Castle where he awaits rescue. ### [How Sir Tristram overcame the battle, and how Elias desired a man to fight body for body.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxix) Accepts Tristram's counsel, is unhorsed in battle, and later considers Elias's challenge. ### [How Sir Elias and Sir Tristram fought together for the truage, and how Sir Tristram slew Elias in the field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxx) Desperate for a champion; rejoices at Tristram's victory but secretly desires to kill him. ### [How at a great feast that King Mark made an harper came and sang the lay that Dinadan had made](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxi) Hosts a feast and becomes enraged when a harper sings a lay exposing his treason. ### [How King Mark slew by treason his brother Boudwin, for good service that he had done to him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxii) Treacherously murders his own brother Prince Boudwin out of envy and spite. ### [How Anglides Escapes with Alisander le Orphelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxiii) Murders Prince Boudwin and seeks to kill Anglides and Alisander; orders Sadok to fetch them back. ### [How Anglides Gave the Bloody Doublet to Alisander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxiv) Revealed as the murderer of Alisander's father, slain with a dagger before Anglides' eyes. ### [How it was told to King Mark of Sir Alisander, and how he would have slain Sir Sadok for saving his life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxv) Furious upon learning Alisander is alive and knighted; attempts to slay Sir Sadok and later conspires with sorceresses to destroy Alisander. ### [How Queen Morgan le Fay had Alisander in her castle, and how she healed his wounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xxxvii) King Mark is the object of Alisander's thwarted vengeance, though he does not appear directly in this chapter. ### [How Sir Galahalt Did Cry a Jousts in Surluse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/xl) Falsely and feloniously slew both Sir Tristram and Alisander. ### [How by Treason Sir Tristram Was Brought to a Tournament for to Have Been Slain, and How He Was Put in Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/l) Orchestrates the treason against Sir Tristram, sending him to a deadly tournament and later imprisoning him. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/li) Escapes Sir Sadok, raises forces, forges letters from the Pope to deceive Tristram, and is rebuked by Sir Percivale for his treachery. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/liii) Reported to be imprisoned by his own knights for his treason against Sir Tristram. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters/king_mark - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/characters