THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
division. It consisted of twenty thousand knights. He gave the second division to Morand of
Riviera and Ogier; it consisted of thirty thousand knights. The third was put under the King of
Hungary and the King of Bohemia, with many other barons; and it contained seven thousand
knight, along with all the banners and carriages. Namo reserved the fourth division, consisting of
thirty thousand knights, for himself. When the divisions had been assigned, they began to move
toward Paris. As they were entering the kingdom, they passed near the city of Laon on the way to
Orleans, the whole camp sprang to arms when a new army appeared. This was Bernard of
Clairmont with his sons, and with Sanguin, Duke of Ireland, along with Flovis of Bordeaux and his
brother William. They had thirty thousand knights with them. Great was the joy of the host at their
arrival. Camp was pitched and all the barons gathered around their banners to see Bernard coming
with his army along the road to Brisson (for he had made a wide swerve around Paris in the
direction of Troyes in Champagne and therefore did not meet with the first division.) He too made
camp and rested his banners.
When Charles was pointed out to Miles of Angrant, he leapt from his horse and ran to kneel at
Charles’ feet, and embraced him and swore not to take his armor from his back from then on until
Charles was lord of Paris and wore the crown of the kingdom of France. Charles rejoiced and made
much of him, and of his brothers. Then, for the better repose of Bernard and his army, he and his
men were put in charge of the rear guard, while the third division was bestowed upon the Duke of
Bavaria, so that the kings of Hungary and Bohemia could take over the fourth, and Bernard the
fifth. Now the army consisted of eighty million, not counting men unsuited for battle. That day
Miles knelt to Charles and begged for the grace of accompanying him in his division, and Charles
consented.