Sir Tristan de Bois, also known as The Black Knight, is an antagonist in the television series Merlin. He is the brother of Ygraine Pendragon and Agravaine de Bois and the maternal uncle of Arthur Pendragon. He was brought back to life by The Evil Sorceress Nimueh to get revenge on Uther Pendragon, who He blamed for his sister's death.However he was destroyed by Uther with the usage of Excalibur.
History[]
Tristan de Bois, was knight of Camelot, having grown up the oldest child of his parents, Tristan was very close to his two younger siblings, Agravaine and Ygraine. ("Excalibur", "The Darkest Hour")
After Ygrain died in childbirth, Tristan blamed Uther for his sister's death. He challenged his brother-in-law to single combat, however, Uther mortally wounded him. With his dying breath, Tristan swore to rise from beyond the grave and seek vengeance.("Excalibur")
Twenty years after the fact, Nimueh used her power over life and death, bringing Tristan back as a wraith as part of her vendetta against Uther. However, he was killed by Uther a second and final time and was destroyed with the sword of Excalibur.
Though he was twice killed by Uther. whilst trying to avenge Ygraine, Tristan was later avenge by Agravaine, when he killed Uther. ("1.09 Excalibur", "4.03 The Wicked Day")
Personality[]
Not much is known about Tristan's personality, mainly do to the fact that he showed barely any as a wraith, though he was known to care much about Agravaine and Ygraine, as much of a typical, oldest sibling. He was also shown to be vengeful, as seen when he twice tried to kill Uther, in order to avenge Ygraine.
Trivia[]
- Tristan is one of the few minor villains to have backstory. However, because he is Arthur's uncle and his death is relevant to Uther's backstory.
- The fact that he could not be hurt by a normal weapon, was a reference to the original Black Knight from the legend.
- Although it is unclear what Tristan's physical characteristics were, when he was alive, he could have had any of his siblings characteristics: blonde or brown hair, and either blue or brown eyes.
- Much like his brother, Tristan's main motive was to avenge his sister. However, they had different methods. Tristan's intentions were to dual Uther to the death, and Agravaine's was to help Morgana conquer Camelot. Ironically, their revenge ended getting them nowhere and both had untimely med their demise. Tristan was immediately killed by Uther and Agravaine ended up being killed by Merlin.
- It is possible that Tristan's white phoenix crest was the Coat of Arms for his family, House de Bois. It is contradicted during Gaius's and Geoffrey of Monmouth and it is never seen to have been used by Agravaine.
- One possibility is Agravaine refused to bear the white phoenix, it is Tristan's personal coat of arms and not the family crest.
- Because Tristan's return and second death took place in season 1 and Agravaine's introduction in Season 4, the concept of Arthur having another uncle was not thought of at the time.
- Finally, another possibility it is a mistake on Geoffrey and Gaius' part.
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