Isolde the Fair

The heroine in the Tristan legend. Isolde the Fair was the daughter of King Gorman of Ireland and the Elder Isolde, sister of Morholt (Marhaus). In the Prose Tristan, Isolde's father was called Anguin, while in Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, the king was called Agwisance. Isolde was known as Isolde La Beale ("Isolde the Fair"), and Isolde de Blonde.

Isolde was famous for being the lover of Tristan (Tristram). Tristan came to woo Isolde for his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, but the pair accidentally drank a love potion, falling instantly in love with one another. Even though Isolde was married to King Mark, she secretly committed adultery with Tristan.

In all the stories, Isolde died of grief when Tristan was killed. There are too many versions on how they died to be told here.

Isolde's loyal companion and maidservant (or lady-in-waiting) was named Brangwain (Brangien, Brangain), who also happened to be her cousin. It was Brangwain who was responsible for the love potion.

Isolde should not be confused with two other women also named Isolde. Isolde had a mother who was also named Isolde, who was often called Queen Isolde or the Elder Isolde. The Elder Isolde was the wife of the king of Ireland.

There was also Isolde of the White Hands who came from Brittany, and who had married Tristan when the hero was exiled from Cornwall.