THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Now, as the hunt progressed, the lords asked King Philip who she was, pretending not to know her
in order to draw out the king. King Philip said: “That is my daughter.” They greatly praised her
beauty and grace, and then asked the king whether he had given her in marriage. He said he had
not, but that he was waiting for an occasion to have her married. They rode together while
returning to Buda in the evening, and they one and all praised the damsel. Some of them said: “This
realm is subject to King Pepin.” But Gerard said to them: “King Pepin has subjects enough, for
none has more than he.” Then they came to King Philip in his hall and said they desired to talk with
him and his queen. When they were in a private room, Bernard of Clairmont made the proposal, as
they had agreed among them.
When King Philip heard that King Pepin was asking for his daughter, he began to weep and said:
“My lords, this realm and all my possessions have ever been ruled by members of the Royal House
of France 33 . I am thus Pepin’s vassal, and he is my liege. But so that my lord will not claim
deception, I must advise you that one of Bertha’s feet (the right one) is larger than the other.” They
demanded to see it, and when they did they laughed and solemnly swore to the engagement on King
Pepin’s behalf, but imposed secrecy until Pepin should send for her. And so they took their leave
and returned to France.
King Pepin was very glad of their return, and rejoiced much over them, since they had taken such a
long time to come back. They delivered their message to King Pepin and told him what they had
done, greatly praising Bertha. King Pepin, exceedingly old as he was, fell in love with her, hearing
them tell of her beauty.
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33 Royal House of France: King Philip of Hungary is the son of Sicurans, heir of Sinibald of Castle Saint-Simon
(IV.36), who had been invested with the sovereignty of Hungary by Bevis of Hampton (IV.47)