THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
When Gerard saw that Roland was back but did not see his nephew, he left without a word to
Charles, mounted his horse and took the road toward Reggio. Charles did not take his departure
kindly.
While riding toward Reggio, Gerard met Balant who brought him news of his nephew. Then
Gerard, professing himself greatly obliged to Balant, said: “Roland shall not garner all the honors.”
He had not gone much farther when he came upon Clare himself, carrying King Anglant’s head.
Lord Clare was accompanied by three hundred knights. Gerard said: “My dear nephew, were it not
for this glorious deed of yours, no Burgundian should ever again have find either praised or honor at
Charles’ court. All the glory would have gone to that bastard, Roland.” This said, he added that he
had no wish encamp with Charlemagne, but would lodge with his own men in the city of Reggio.
He ordered Bussy, Arnaut, and Rainier to proceed thither with four thousand men, and they did so.
Upon arriving at Reggio, they entered without hindrance and found not a soul in the city. All the
Saracens had fled by sea, and many of their sails could still be seen. Duke Gerard took the place
without striking a blow.
When the reached the royal palace, they found most of King Anglant’s treasure. The duke
commanded Anglant’s body to be carried into the city and had a stone sepulcher prepared for it, so
that it should always be remembered. Then he gave orders that whatever pagans could still be found
be killed if they refused to be baptized. He also ordained the burial of those men of his who had
died in battle. Those of noble blood were brought into Reggio and interred on holy ground in
churches. He ordered the rebuilding of a monastery that the pagans had destroyed, where many
could bury their dead to their greater honor. He told Lord Clare, Arnaut, Rainier and Guerrin to go
on the next morning to Charlemagne and to take to him thirty mules laden with provision, along
with Anglant’s head. They were to declare, on Gerard’s behalf, that this was not to be considered a