King Mark’s steward of Cornwall. He began as a friend of Tristan, but became jealous and angry upon learning that Tristan and Mark’s wife Isolde—both of whom he held in high regard—were having an affair. He began a campaign to expose the lovers to Mark, allying himself with the evil dwarf Melot, which was somewhat successful. In the traditional legend, he falsely accuses Kahedins, Tristan’s brother-in-law, of cowardice, for which Kahedins slays him. In La Tavola Ritonda, Mark, discovering he is lonely without his wife and best knight, kills Mariadoc for suggesting their exile.