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Palomides
Sir Palomides, son and heir of Sir Astlabor. His brothers were Sir Safire and Sir Segwaridês. He is always called the Saracen, meaning “unchristened.” Next to the three great knights (Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram, and Sir Lamorake), he was the strongest and bravest of the fellowship of the Round Table. Like Sir Tristram, he was in love with La Belle Isond, wife of King Mark, of Cornwall; but the lady favored the love of Sir Tristram, and only despised that of the Saracen knight. After his combat with Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides consented to be baptized by the bishop of Carlisle.
"He was well made, cleanly and bigly, and neither too young
nor too old. And though he was not christened, yet he believed in
the best manners, and was faithful and true of his promise, and
also well conditioned. He made a vow that he would never be
christened unto the time that he achieved the beast
Glatisaint.... And also he avowed never to take full christendom
unto the time that he had done seven battles within the lists."
Le
Morte d'Arthur By Sir Thomas Malory.
