mercy – In this work we are given a look at the well rounded knight who is not simply filled with an all-consuming lust for blood; although the interplay of shame and honor do directly lead to fighting between one or more knights. However the violence that occurs in this reading is set against a back drop of Tristam De Liones’ willingness to show mercy toward his enemies. He takes many opportunities to to allow his foes to admit that they have been beaten and tell him that they want no more of the physical battle they have just endured; this is interesting because Tristam certainly had the ability to secure a true victory in these battles but instead choses to exercise patience and forgiveness. Tristam many times forgives his counterparts and it is no coincidence that this text stresses the power and worth of mercy while also leaning heavily of religious themes. Religion is constantly alluded to in the work and Tristam becomes the embodiment of a person bound for glory in the next world. This is accomplished by embodying the forgiving and merciful stance that the almighty is seen to have. Tristam begins his life of well adapted violence by using his authority, even as a child, to save the life of his stepmother after she had been caught attempting to poison him by his father King Melodias. She is held in court for treason and Tristam personally excuses her actions and spares her life, permanently indebted his stepmother to him for the rest of his life. He exercises his honorable pardoning many more times as he encounters other knights, the battles more often than not lead Tristam and his enemies to swear to their friendship and quit battle rather than fighting to the death. These acts of mercy are what distinguish Tristam from the shamefully barbaric acts of the likes of Sir Bruenor who as tradition dictates follows the practice of beheading the lady that is less fair than the other and then battling to the death to see who earns the right to this fairer prize.