THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Charles was crowned king of the whole realm of France and of all the dominions that Pepin had
ruled. His name and surname were reaffirmed, and he was thenceforth called King Charlemagne.
Also crowned were Solomon of Brittany and Otho of England and Gotteboeuf, King of Frisia 42 .
Charles, moreover, created many dukes and counts. Then all his lords swore upon his hand, and he
reaffirmed all their signories. After all these ceremonies, he dubbed a thousand knights. Then he
wedded Galeana as his lawful wife, and enjoyed her body in holy matrimony 43 The whole country
feasted and rejoiced at Charles’ coronation. With Charles’ return, his entire realm and all the other
countries returned to quiet and good order, and the Pope went back to Rome and left the Western
region at peace.
Young Roland
52-53: Roland’s Birth
One year after Charlemagne’s coronation, a great court convened, as was the custom, and the
nobility arrived to pay their respects to the crown with many noblewomen and fine ladies. The
celebrations lasted for many days. One day, a great crowd of nobles with their wives and ladies were
gathered in the great hall of the royal palace and dancing to the sound of numerous instruments.
Among them was Miles of Angrant, Bernard of Clairmont’s son. He was the most distinguished
nobleman in that hall. He took Bertha by the hand and they began to dance together. She glanced
around now and then at all the other lords, but none of them was as sprightly and striking as he, and
she began to be in love with him. Whenever it happened that Miles looked at her, their eyes met, so
that both soon came to realize that they loved each other. While dancing, they smiled and spoke a
42 He is earlier (Reali VI.9) called King of Bohemia.
43 Galeana is still a virgin. Charlemagne had sworn (Chapter []) not to touch her until after his return to his own
country and coronation as King of France.