THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
from excommunication. Charles had it proclaimed by decree that Miles was back in the fold, and
that his son, Young Roland, had been found again, and that Charles had pardoned him and restored
all his lands to Young Roland, whom Charles created Count of Angrant and Marquis of Brava.
Bertha accepted the rule on Young Roland’s behalf.
Charles had a son by Galeana who was named Charlot II, and he turned out to have a suspicious
nature and took great delight in making people angry, and was exceedingly prone to wrath. For that
reason he was little loved by his subjects in the realm. Young Roland was his opposite, and was
therefore universally loved.
He was generous, courteous and humble, ever willing to be of service, an exceedingly pleasant and
convincing speaker, so that whoever spoke with him left him in contentment. He frequently
besought the emperor’s favor on behalf of others, and because of his virtue, Charles never denied
any boon that he requested, and every praised him in whatever he undertook. He maintained
Charles’ honor, and was much loved therefore, and much talked of throughout the realm. He kept
himself chaste at all times and procured dowries for many young women. Charles loved him so
much that he cherished him as his adoptive son, and called him son as often as he could. Therefore
it was commonly said that Young Roland was indeed Charles’ son, though he was a son through
honest love, rather than through original sin. And the king loved him for his virtue and because he
saw him as valiant in body and soul.
Charles had many enemies and was hated by many, so that he always kept a bodyguard of five
hundred armed men. Young Roland by his virtue made peace with the greater part or almost all of
Charles’ enemies, and Charles was much feared by virtue of Young Roland. Roland was the most