Many versions (mostly French) of the story of Tristan and Iseult are known, likely derived from a Welsh original. It’s possible that parts of that original tale can be reconstructed from various Welsh texts, particularly the Triads. “Drystan, son of Tallwch” is mentioned in several collections of Triads: The Twenty-Four Knights of Arthur’s Court (15th century) claims that he was one of Arthur’s retainers and a shapeshifting sorcerer like Arthur’s father Uthyr Pendragon. But the bit about shapeshifting is not found in other manuscripts and seems to be a late accretion. The Triads in the Red Book of Hergest call Drystan one of the three “diademed men” and one of the three “enemy subduers” of the island of Britain. The Peniarth 54 manuscript claims he was a seer or prophet, as well as one of the three “front-line leaders of battle” of the island of Britain. It also contains a tale repeated in other manuscripts: That Drystan tended the herds of pigs belonging to king Mark of Cornwall, while the original swineherd (rather than Drystan himself) travelled —apparently to Ireland— to fetch Esyllt (i.e. Isolde/Iseult). Arthur made several attempts to steal the pigs, using either stealth or trickery, but Drystan hindered him each time, sending him away empty-handed.

The rest of the original tale might be told in a 16th century Welsh manuscript called Ystorya Trystan. It tells of how the two lovers —outlawed— fled to Scotland, to hide in the Caledonian Forest. King Mark (“March, son of Meirchion” in Welsh) requests help from Arthur, and the latter leads a band of soldiers to Scotland to track the pair down. Arthur finds them, but Drystan walks fearlessly among the soldiers and no violence takes place. Drystan’s good friend Gwalchmai (later “Sir Gawain”) persuades him to negotiate, whereupon Arthur mediates between Drystan and Mark, decreeing that Esyllt will live with one man while the trees have leaves, then with the other while the trees are bare, allowing Mark his choice between summer and winter. Mark chooses the latter, since winter nights are longer. But Esyllt cleverly notes that three trees, holly, ivy and yew, never lose their leaves, and based on that, she’ll be with Drystan for as long as he lives.

Image: Tristan et Iseult en forêt; 1911 painting by Gaston Bussière.

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