The following book is a retelling of the legendary love story between Tristan and Iseult (also known as Tristan and Isolde and other names) by Joseph Bédier. Based on a Celtic legend and possibly other sources, the tale is a tragedy about the illicit love between the Cornish knight Tristan and the Irish princess Iseult. It depicts Tristan's mission to escort Iseult from Ireland to marry his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall. On the journey, Tristan and Iseult ingest a love potion, instigating a love affair between them.