THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
Charles remained in his tent while all the camp was feasting, all but the Bretons who were mourning
Angelet. In the morning, Gerard would not come back to the camp until Duke Namo told him that
Charles was asking to see him in his pavilion and urged him so strongly to come that he left the city.
He came fully armed, with his nephews and sons, and they were graciously received. When they had
all sat down, with the great barons all around them, each party was relieved and glad to see the
other, and Charles humbly directed the following words at Gerard: “My noble duke, it is said that
the salvation of Christendom is all your doing, and that it is because of you that we were able to
claim victory in Aspramont. We are assured that you have behaved better than you can say. One
thing we can maintain: that you did not promise to come to Aspramont, but to wage war in France.
But you have done the contrary, by helping us and making peace in France. You well know that that
God’s law has granted the Pope supreme power on earth, and after him, for temporal rule, has
established the empire, which all men must duly obey for the betterment of human nature.
Therefore, even supposing that I may not deserve it, this crown all Christendom has nevertheless
granted to me, wherefore all men are obliged to obey me. Now I do not ask Gerard for gold or
silver or any other wealth. I merely beseech you, to prevent scandal and discord, to come for love
of me and at my once a year to Paris. If you cannot come yourself, let one of your sons or one of
your nephews or one of your other relatives take your place and present himself in your stead. And
I desire that you, for love of me, when you go hawking cast one bird for me 64 , be it falcon, or hawk,
or kestrel. I care not what kind of bird it is, so long as you say: ‘This cast is for Charles.’”
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After Gerard had listened to Charles’ words, he replied: “I could not have spoken more handsomely
in praise of myself than you have done. Yet nothing will make me do as you ask, for I have clear
64 Cast one bird for me: The action requested is a purely symbolic gesture of fealty.