THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

136
© 2009 Max Wickert
honor bestowed on Bevis and his sons was even as the honor given to the crowned head of Thierry
himself, with many other signs of reverence.
66-77: The Reconquest of Hungary [summary]
Hearing that the pagan Emir Arpitas had wrongfully seized the Slovene provinces of Dalmatia and Croatia at
Buldras’ death, Thierry and his father and brothers sent ambassadors to him who were insolently repulsed. Thierry,
Bevis, Guy and Sinibald raised a huge army and confronted Arpitas at the city of Ashlac . In the battle that followed,
both Sinibald of Castle Saint-Simon and Thierry were slain, but Ashlac was taken and sacked.
Meanwhile Bevis’ spies in Hungary reported that a Turkish host under Trifero had invaded and was banding together
with the Hungarian rebel Arbaulle, a descendant of Attila the Hun, alongside various factions from Bussina, Russia
and Poland. Bevis sent for assistance to the Pope, to Constantinople and to Armenia, but was ashamed to request it
from Pepin. Yet Pepin learned of the campaign from Otho of Trier. Otho’s own army joined with Richard of
Canterbury, Rupert of the Cross and Sanguin of Hampton and made its way across Germany. Erminia went to her
father Armin, who gave her a navy that sailed under young Sinibald’s command toward Sinella.
As Guy of Hampton was arriving from Italy with reinforcements, Arbaulle and Trifero marched on Dalmatia. They
were joined by vast numbers of Saracens under Morapes of Russia and from Albania. Battle was finally joined near
Sinella. The pagans almost prevailed when Triforo unhorsed Guy of Hampton, but Bevis arrived and had his son
remount on Swallowtail. Guy overtook Triforo and killed him in combat. Arbaulle, learning of Triforo’s death,
moved his army closer to Sinella and prepared to besiege the city. Against the advice of his father Bevis, Guy
undertook a sally. Though it was successful, it created an opportunity for the Saracens to enter the city by a secret
passage. Four thousand were already inside the walls, when Bevis rallied in the nick of time, killed Morapes and
slaughtered the rest. But then Bevis, concerned at Guy’s absence, rode out to find him. This left the city gravely
undergarrisoned. Arbaulle had posted signal fires on the hill, by means of which, seizing his chance, he now ordered
an attack. Though the citizens managed to close the gates just in time, Bevis and Guy were caught in desperate battle
outside. Guy was nearly killed, but was rescued by Bevis. Pursued and greatly outnumbered, the two made their way
back into the city. The vast Saracen army then ringed the walls even as a great pagan navy took control of the coast.
Meanwhile Bevis’ other son, Sinibald, had arrived at Randazzo and heard of his father’s plight. He sailed his navy
into Sinella harbor and in a great naval battle destroyed the Saracen fleet, thereby cutting off the enemy’s supply route.
In the interim, Otho of Trier, Rupert of the Cross, Richard of Canterbury and Sanguin of Hampton had completed
their march through Germany and Bohemia arrived at Ashlac and found it destroyed. They occupy a fortress at eight
miles distance from Sinella. Sinibald established contact with them, greatly heartened by their arrival. Sinibald now
suggested that Bevis and Guy should be apprized of the changed situation and that a three-pronged night attack
against the besiegers should be launched, from the city, from the sea and from the castle. His plan was adopted. The
attack took place by moonlight on the fourth night following. Completely taken by surprise, the pagans were routed.
Their two remaining commanders, Tilipon and Arbaul took flight, pursued by Guy and Sinibald.
When they were overtaken, they refused to surrender. In the desperate double that followed, Sinibald was almost
worsted by Tilipon when Rupert of the Cross arrived on the scene and attacked the pagan. Enraged at the unsought
help, Sinibald cried out: “When I am finished with him, you shall have to deal with me!” He returned to the fight,
killed Tilipon, and then turned upon Rupert who, however, left the scene without a word and rode back to the city.
Meanwhile, Arbaul in answered Guy’s challenge by maligning his mother and calling his legitimacy in doubt. In the