Tristan and Isolde is of course, the proverbial tale of young lovers. It is a heart -rending tale. Which reads thus:
After a war which left two countries devastated a truce was called. Tristan the quintessential knight, a great warrior, finally vanquished his mortal enemy, Morhault. Yet he was badly wounded and so his friends took him to Ireland where they souhgt the aid of a famous healer. He fell in love with the Princess Isolde the healer's apprentice, who had tended him. They dreamed of having a life together as he slowly healed from his wounds.
Yet he had a duty. After he recovered he left to honor his fealty and serve King Marc his liegelord.
King Marc was gladdened to see him and lauded his great prowess and courage. After lavishing praise on the knight he gave him the exulted position of Seneschal of all his lands and by a blood oath they became brothers.
King Marc was going to marry the daughter of a King in far distant lands. He could not go and forsake his throne but for a miunute as his courtiers were jealous and shrewd. They, King Marc had no doubt would usurp his throne at any moment. So he sent our hero Tristan to fetch his bride. Tristan did not wish to go but he was already encumbered with the task as he could not refuse his leige lord or his brother.
He found the young woman the most treasured prize of all, the trove of Ireland, in a great castle by the sea. There she waited along with her attendants and slaves. Her nurse Old Branwyn was indeed the jester upon that first long day at sea. She seemed to dispel the shroud upon the small party sailing to distant lands and gave them comfort and cheer.