How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Page)
Quote #4
'And if it was Mark's wish, when you made this defence, to allow me to remain in his household, I should serve him with honour as my uncle and my lord. No warrior in his land would give him better support in war.' (11.97-98)
Tristan owes Mark two forms of loyalty; one as a family member, the other as a vassal. The "support in war" Tristan offers as part of his loyal service has been his trump card throughout the story. He often reminds Mark and other characters of the time he was the only one willing to serve as Cornwall's champion against Morholt of Ireland. He seems to believe that the reciprocal loyalty Mark owes him is to believe his word over that of his barons, who shirked their duty at that time.
Quote #5
'Dinas, listen to me for a moment: I am departing from here, and you know very well why. If I send Governal to you for anything I need urgently, give it to him, for you owe this to me.' (13.113)
Tristan tells his friend Dinas that he has to give in to any request that Tristan makes, that Dinas "owes" this to Tristan. In the medieval romance, ideal friendship between two knights does indeed require this level of loyalty. A true friend must be willing to sacrifice even his life for his fellow knight.
Quote #6
'You are angry and resentful because we have spoken to you about your honour. It is right that a man should advise his lord, yet we have gained your ill will. Cursed be the man who hates you, however strong a knight he is. He would certainly be harshly treated by you and he would go away. But we are faithful to you and we give you loyal advice.' (14.117)
Mark's barons' argument when he objects to their continued doubts about his wife's faithfulness is that they only demonstrate their loyalty by giving him good advice. While it's technically true that a vassal can demonstrate his loyalty with good advice, Mark's barons act out of hatred for Tristan rather than true loyalty to Mark. If this feeling were not the source of their concerns, they would be well within their rights to demand that Yseut prove her innocence. A vassal's loyalty to his lord extends not only to him, but to his bloodline. If the lord's wife has been unfaithful, she jeopardizes the legitimacy of that bloodline.