THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
documents that relate how Pepin, your father, enfranchised Bevis of Hampton and the Pope of
Rome, and attested their charters and privileges with his own seal. Since the Emperor has granted
my freedom, along with that of all Bevis’ descendants, what reason is there for us to pay you
homage, who have never bowed to you any more than you to us, to be beholden to you?” Gerard
had scarcely formed these words, when Archbishop Turpin leapt to his feet and said: “Gerard, you
are beholden to Charles for good cause, for look I have a documents that show how you bowed to
Charles in Aspramont and acknowledged him like a vassal when his cap fell from his head on the
day when Clare and Bussy and Arnaut and Rainier jousted with Duke Namo and Ogier and
Flamingon, Count of Maganza, and the Marquis Berlingher. You picked up that cap and placed it
back on Charles’ head. Later, like a subject, you presented him with Anglant’s head and most of his
spoils.” At this Gerard could not contain himself, but said in rage: “You treacherous priest, you can
neither produce a charter nor be a witness in any matter, for you were driven from your own
household like a traitor, and therefore should not be believed. It was through your cowardice that
you turned priest. Go sing your masses and leave other affairs to your betters.” Turpin drew
himself up and said he desired to prove by force of arms, upon any challenger so ever, that Gerard
should give tribute to Charles. He said: “Let all here present bear witness that I, of my own free
will, surrendered my patrimony to my blood cousin, so as not to contradict my father’s vow, for he
vowed that, if ever he bore a son, he would make him a cleric or a priest. I did not act contrary to
reason as you do, who deny being subject to the empire.” Gerard answered: “You false priest, I
shall not fight you, but I shall send one of my servants against you, and that will be my nephew
Clare—against you or whoever maintains that I owe homage to Charles or any man.”
At these words a great babble of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ arose, and little was lacking for Roland and Clare to
challenge each other over the matter, had not their words been cut short by Duke Namo, who