THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
accuse of the deed, he had the body embalmed against corruption and to stop the deadly stench, and
then ordered it brought to Duke Gerard.
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When Bussy’s body arrived at Vienna, it was presented to Duke Gerard amid great sadness. When
he saw it, he lamented loudly and cried out like a madman: “Charles has done this to spite me, and
that bastard Orlando has done it out of envy. He would have dealt likewise with his brother Clare, if
he had been the one to go.” A few days before the feast of Saint Denis, he sent word to find a time
and a way of wreaking vengeance. He sent him three thousand knights, first keeping five thousand
about him, well armed and horsed.
Meanwhile the news of how Bussy’s body had been found reached Charles’ ears, Wherefore he sent
some men to that forest the better to know the truth, and he sent to Troyes in Champaign. Many
knights came to the place where he died and sought all through the forest. While they were thus
riding to search the place, a scrap from a liveried surcoat was found impaled on a thorn tree. It was
no more than a span in breadth, but its device was recognized as that of Count Flamingon of
Valagna, of the House of Maganza. It was brought to King Charles. It also happened that one of
Count Manfred’s servants arrived at court, dressed in black. Duke Namo and Ogier the Dane found
a way to draw him apart quietly and by means of many threats came to know the whole matter. At
that very time, Charles’ men returned and brought the above said surcoat. By these two signs it
became apparent who had slain Bussy, wherefore many of the Maganza men were arrested and
imprisoned, and many others ran away. Roland swore he would kill Count Flamingon and sent a
messenger to Duke Gerard to inform him who had slain Bussy and to urge him to muster all his