The Saga of Tristram and Ísönd

The Saga of Tristram and Ísönd is the first complete English translation of Tristrams saga, which in turn is a Norwegian adaptation of the French Tristan of Thomas of Brittany. Because Tristrams saga is the only complete member of the Thomas branch of the Tristan legend, a knowledge of this work is essential for the reconstruction of its source, of which only a fraction is extant. It is important also for a critical evaluation of the Middle High German epic Tristan and Isolt by Gottfried von Strassburg. Moreover, there is reason to suppose that the popularity of Tristrams saga precipitated the translation of French romances, lays, and chansons de geste that flowed into the North during the thirteenth century. For these reasons, The Saga of Tristram and Ísönd occupies a position of singular significance in the development of the Tristan legend, in French-Scandinavian literary relations in the Middle Ages, and in the history of Old Norse literature. Paul Schach in his introduction traces the literary history of the Tristan poem, discussing and contrasting the versions of various translators, with particular attention to the Old Norse version written by Friar Robert in 1226 and the works deriving from it. Mr. Schach also includes a discussion of the manuscripts, editions, and translations of Tristrams saga. "Professor Schach lives up to the goals which he sets for himself as translator in his introduction-in addition to transmitting accurately the rhetorical devices, he has produced a translation of the closest accuracy throughout. A great amount of invaluable background information is compressed into the introduction. More could not be desired of this translation." Journal of English and Germanic Philology