THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE - outriders poetry project

Andrea da Barberino, LINEAGE OF THE NOBLE HOUSES OF FRANCE 98
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© 2009 Max Wickert
The Emperor Constantine was of ancient Greek descent 99 , and his father was of noble blood. But
the family had declined so far and grown so poor that his grandfather worked as a farmer.
Constantine grew into a valiant man-at-arms in the times of the Emperor Diocletian. He fought for
the emperor in Spain, France and England, and was named Emperor of the Transalpine Regions.
During his time, three other emperors were chosen: one was Licinius, his brother-in-law; the second
was Constantius 100 ; and the third, Galerius. But Constantine defeated them in battle; Galerius was
slain in Rome and Constantius in Friuli (both he and one of his sons), and Licinius (who had
married Constantine’s sister Constantia) was slain in Armenia. Constantine reigned as emperor for
thirty-one years; he became emperor in the year of Our Lord 310, and lived for sixty-six years in this
world. He left behind him three sons.
Constantius Flovus was the first, emperor for nine years, and he begat King Florellus of France and
King Floris of Arden.
Floris of Arden begat Leo and Lionel, and a daughter named Uliana. His sons left no heirs.
Florellus of France begat Floravant, and Floravant begat Octavian of the Lion and Gisbert Boldface.
Gisbert, King of France, begat King Michael, and King Michael begat King Angelus, and King
Angelus begat King Pepin, and King Pepin begat Charlemagne, Lanfroy and Ulric, but not by the
same mother.
98 This genealogical chapter presents a textual problem. In the Florentine MS (and the first printed edition) it forms
the concluding Chapter 71 of Book Six; in the Bodleian MS it appears as Chapter 10 at the end of Book Five. I
have placed it separately here by way of epilogue. For clarification of the main lines of descent, the reader is
referred to the “Genealogical Tables”.
99 Of ancient Greek descent: an error. Constantine was, in fact, born in Dacia (present day Romania).
100 The name is probably an error for Constantine II, killed in AD 340 by his brother Constantius at the Battle of
Aquileia.