THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

Roland Knighted
60
356
© 2009 Max Wickert
Charles called young Roland before him and then took the sword Durandel and struck him on the
shoulder. In the presence of all the lords and dukes there, he said: “Good sword, how many of my
nobles have you taken from me, and how many noble knights have you slain! Charles, called Mainet,
was your master before King Almont; but it did not please God that I should remain your master.
By the strange workings of Fortune you came into the hands of the bravest warrior in the world.
But now I, by the grace of Jesus Christ, bestow upon a champion who shall be an even stronger and
braver warrior.” He then turned to young Roland 60 and presented him with that sword, saying:
“You are entitled to this sword because you are of good descent, from Clairmont on your father’s
side, and from the Royal House of France on your mother’s. I hereby knight you and create you
Count of Angrant, Marquis of Brava, Falcon of Christendom, and Senator of Rome. I proclaim you
God’s Champion, Gonfalier of Holy Church, and heir-apparent to the crowns of France, Spain, and
Aragon.” Then he gave him Briador, that splendid steed which had been King Almont’s and which
was now called Veliantin, as well as the horn that had belonged to Alrmont. Finally he girt the
sword to his left side. Ogier the Dane tied on one of his spurs, Morand the other, and Namo of
Bavaria slung the shield upon his neck. Young Roland was resplendent in most noble armor, as
were Otho, Berlingher, Astolph, and Angelet of Brittany. Charlemagne knighted them all. When
Roland received the final mark of knighthood, that is the gauntlet blow, four hundred trumpets
resounded and the whole army cried: “Mountjoy Saint-Denis! Long live Charlemagne and our
champion Roland!” (It seemed a most propitious omen that the whole Christian host joined in that
cry.) Roland kissed Charlemagne’s feet and Charlemagne gave him his blessing.
60 This is the last time that the hero is named Orlandino (Young Roland); hereafter he is invariably called Orlando.