THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
will conquer), I will bestow a crown upon you.” King Almont said: “Dear sister, your valor has
made me enamored with your person. By my faith, if Mahomet gives me the victory in my
enterprise, you shall wear the crown of two realms, so that you will be able to claim the noblest lord
in the world for your husband. Yet do I pray you to take no husband unless you find one who can
unhorse you, since it is considered disgraceful for a woman to take a husband weaker than herself.
Therefore, if there is any baron who can overthrow you, he shall be your husband.” Then Galiziella
promised him and swore never to take a husband unless she found a knight who could unhorse her.
Almont then brought her to his father Anglant and told him that the knight who had won the
tourney had been Galiziella. King Anglant did not believe him, and would not have believed had he
she not also won the sword-fencing tourney, for which Almont loaned her his horse Briador. When
King Anglant saw such great valor in her, he promised her two further realms for dowry, saying:
“When we return, I will make the most valiant knight in the world your husband.” She was praised
as the bravest woman in the world, and stood in high grace with her father and the queen and her
brothers, and obtained whatever favor she might request.
10
At that time, King Galafron of Spain, in response to a letter from Subrin, came to King Anglant,
praying Anglant’s mercy and swearing to risk his country and his sons in the enterprise. He was paid
little respect because of King Bramant’s death. Seeing that he had little chance of peace with King
Anglant, he took counsel with Subrin, and Subrin advised him to turn to Galiziella, who could
command whatever grace she wished from King Anglant.
King Galafron went to her and presented her with a sword that had belonged to Pulinor and
afterwards to Mainet (that is, young Charlemagne). With that sword Charles had slain King
Bramant. It was called Durandel and it was the most invincible sword that ever existed. For love of