THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
sign of either homage or fealty. And all that he ordered was quickly performed. On the next
morning the four were on horseback and riding toward King Charles’s camp.
94: Charles Receives Gerard’s Gifts [summary]
Charles also gave orders for the burial of the fallen. The bodies of the noblest born were sent to Rome. The spoils were
distributed and the Pope celebrated a mass of thanksgiving during which he proclaimed a plenary indulgence. While
Charles sat at banquet, Lord Clare arrived with his embassy. He presented Gerard’s gifts, and clearly stated his
proviso: “This is neither homage nor tribute, for we hold our title from neither Pope nor Emperor.” King Charles
answered: “Christendom is much beholden to Gerard. He is the nobles duke in the world.” But inwardly he said to
himself: “If ever we return to France, either shall the empire by subject to Gerard, or Gerard to the empire.”
Anglant’s head was given to Turpin to be embalmed. After receiving courteous honors and gifts, Clare and his
comrades returned to Reggio.
The Surrender of Anglant’s Queen
95
When these four barons arrived at Reggio, they entered by the gate next to the tower where
Anglant’s former queen was staying. She was standing on a balcony of the tower and saw Lord
Clare passing with his companions. She cried out to him in Latin, saying: “Gentle sir, by your God,
hearken to my words.” Lord Clare halted and she asked him whether he was French or German or
Burgundian. He replied: “From Burgundy.” Then she said: “I am a queen, wife to King Anglant.
Upon your faith, tell me what has happened to my husband.” Lord Clare replied: “By the oath of
chivalry that binds me, I shall tell you the truth. Your husband is dead, and I have even now come
from bringing his head to Charlemagne, King of the Christians. Almont, too, has been dead for
five days, and all his Saracens are also dead.” Then the queen said: “I surrender to you and beg that
you have me baptized. I also beseech you to do me no dishonor, and to give me something to eat.
For two days now I have been confined to this tower because of a traitor king who fled his duty in
the field, despoiled this city, and burnt most of the ships. We women took refuge in this tower,
which also contains the greater part of Anglant’s treasure.” Hearing these words, Lord Clare said: