THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
On the other side, Charlemagne, as soon as he had dismissed Anglant’s two emissaries, ordered the
first rank to advance toward the Saracens. Therefore Roland and Ogier moved step by step toward
the right Saracen flank reached their ranks just as that uproar began.
At this point, the Apostolic Father of Rome summoned Archbishop Engelmaier of Germany and
said to him: “Sir Archbishop, take this cross and carry it in advance of the ranks, so that it may serve
as the Christian banner.” The archbishop replied: “Holy Father, though I am wearing armor,
command me rather to a sing mass or matins. For I am mounted on this steed to escape the
Saracen advance.” The pope told him: “You are behaving like a coward.” Then he called the Abbot
of Saint Giles of Provençe to carry it. “By my faith,” said the abbot, “I shall not do so, for I am in
armor for fear of their arrows.” Then he called another bishop, but no man was willing to carry it.
At last he chanced upon Archbishop Turpin of Rana. The Holy Father hailed him, saying: “Whence
do you come, sir?” Turpin answered: “I am from Lyon and an archbishop. Turpin of Rana is my
name, bishop of Saint Martin. Lyon is mine by inheritance, but I have bestowed it upon my first
cousin Walter. I am of the Mongrana bloodline.” The Apostolic Father then said: “Turpin, you
derive from a mighty lineage. Therefore I give you this cross, which will make you the most revered
priest in the world after myself. Bear it in front of the ranks, so that God may grant them victory.”
“Gladly,” said Turpin, “and may God be my aid.” He dismounted and the Pope gave him his
blessing. Then Turpin said: “I take up this ensign on condition that, if any knight, squire or noble
ever avert his face from it to flee from the Saracens and I do not kill him with my own hands, let no
mass or holy office be said for me, for such a man shall be considered an enemy of the Christian
faith, as though he belonged to an African people.” He added: “If you, Holy Father, do not grant
me this boon, take up the cross yourself, for I will not otherwise carry it.” Then the Pope embraced
him and said: “Blessed be he who begot you and she who conceived you and carried you in her