THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

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© 2009 Max Wickert
also created twelve Paladins of France 75 . Roland was the first, and Oliver the second. Astolph was
third, and Turpin’s cousin Walter fourth; Turpin himself was fifth. The sixth was Engler of
Bordeaux, son of King Yvo, followed by the Duke Namo of Bavaria’s four sons, whose names were
Otho, Berlingher, Gawain and Gavor. In addition he named one of Ganelon’s sons, called Baldwin
as well as Angelinus of Bayonne. All these were enrolled in Roland’s band and swore to defend all
Christendom and the Holy Faith, and to conquer and increase the lands of the faithful. They all
vowed to follow Roland into any part of the world against the Saracens. Astolph and Angelinus
swore to wear no crown until Roland himself was crowned. In Paris and throughout the realm of
France, indeed throughout all Christendom, a great feast was held to celebrate this new company.
The Pope of Rome confirmed and blessed that company and they were called the Twelve Peers of
France. At Pentecost, all the nobles swore to go with Roland to conquer the crown of Spain.
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When the feast at Paris and throughout the realm of France was ended, Charles made two Gerard of
the Thicket’s sons, Arnaut and Rainier, his counselors, alongside Duke Namo, King Solomon,
Ganelon of Poitiers, Ogier the Dane, Gerard of Roussillon, Aymon of Dordogne, Aymeric (who
was later called Aymeric of Narbonne), and King Yvo of Bordeaux. King Flor of Hungary was also
in his counsel, but stayed little at Paris. Finally, there was another counselor, King Goteboeuf of
Lower Frisia 76 . These were the members of Charlemagne’s Council of Twelve.
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75 Paladins of France: The number and membership of this group varies considerably from source to source.
Andrea’s list overlaps with the one in the Chanson de Roland in only seven names: Roland, Oliver, Otho
[Otton], Berlingher [Berengier], Gawain [Ivon], Gavor [Ivoire] and Engler [Engelier]. Sometimes also (as for
instance in I Fatti de Spagna) there seems to be a distinction between the ‘Paladins’ (Roland is always one of
these) and the ‘Twelve Peers’ (treated as a comitatus under Roland’s command). See also n. [152] below.
76 Lower Frisia: In earlier chapters, Goteboeuf is more frequently called King of Bohemia.