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  1. Abul-Abbas [bestiary:elephant][charlemagne]

    Abul Abaz [L.]; ‏ابو العباس‎ [Arab.]
    [L. Abul Abaz < Abul "father of" + Abbās "lion"; Abul Abbas ابول عباس was the name of Mohammed's uncle who was the founding caliph of the Abassid caliphate.]
    White Indian elephant fayl ‏فيل‎ given to Emperor Charlemagne by the caliph of Baghdad, Harun al-Rashid ‏هارون الرشيد‎, in 797-802. Four years it took for the beast to get from Baghdad to Aachen*.
    * Accounts of the elephant are given in Annales regni Francorum (English :Royal Frankish Annals). Harun al-Rashid is called "Aaron" in the these Latin annals.

  2. «Abisme's enchanted shield» [armor:shield][charlemagne]

    «l'escut amiracle» [AF]
    The jewel-arrayed shield of Abisme the Saracen. See the ⇒Almace page.                                      
     

  3. «Alcaliph's sorrel» [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

  4. Afilé [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Afilé (Mainet II, 16; IV, 19) [OF]
    Affeleir (Karl und Galie, 54r.31 = l. 3343, etc.) [MDu./ Low Rhenish Germ.]
    Horse that the Saracen Admiral Galafre of Toledo (Galaffers [MDu.]) lent to Mainet which was the name that Charlemange went by incognito while fleeing abroad (Meinet / Karl [MDu.]).

  5. Almace [weapon:sword][charlemagne]

    Almace [F., AF]; *Almice [MHG]; Almacia[ON]
    Sword of Turpin, Archbishop of Rheims.

    • Altachiara [weapon:sword][charlemagne]

      Italian name of ⇒Hauteclaire, whose provenance according to Andrea da Barberino was that it was formerly owned by Lancelot and by Bevis of Hampton.

    • Amus [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

      Norse form for ⇒Barbamouche, a Saracen horse.

  6. «Baligant's brown horse» [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    destrier brun [F], destrer brun [OF]
    Amir Baligant's brown/bay war-horse (ch. de Roland, Laisse 202, l. 2816). Its name is not known to us, but it can bear the weight of the mightily stout ⇒ Maltet weighing an "ass load" (a kharwar) and yet leap a 50-foot ditch, so it is no ordinary horse(* ch. de Roland, Laisse 292, ll. 3152-4, 3265-7).

  7. Balswenden, Palswende [weapon:sword][charlemagne]

    Balswenden (KdG), Palswendin (RL)[MHG]
    According to German sources, the name of the sword owned by the Saracen Targis von Tortôse (*=Turgis de Turteluse)

  8. Barbamouche [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Barbamouche [F]; Amus [ON]
    Horse ridden at Roncesvalles by the Saracen Climborins, (or Climorins, who earlier gave Ganelon a helmet, XLIX ll.627-34).
    Siet el ceval qu'il cleimet Barbamusche,
    Plus est isnels que esprever ne arunde.
    (La chanson de Roland CXVI ll.1534-5)
    He sate his horse, which he called Barbamusche,
    Never so swift sparrow nor swallow flew,
    (La chanson de Roland CXIV ll.1491-2)

    The Norse saga account of Runzival names Klimboris as the giver of helmet to Guinelun (Kms VIII, ch. 13), and Klibanus as the rider of Amus, a horse faster than a swallow flying fast as possible (Ibid., ch. 27) but they should be understood as variant spellings of the same name.

    I haven't found the parallel in German sources. The Rolandslied records Oliboris giving a helmet bordered with red gold to Genelun who expresses the wish that he live on and be able to pass the gift on to his young son Baldewin; but this figure does not appear at Runzeual and the horse is not named.

  9. Baucent [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Baucent (Bauçant, Bauchant) [F.], Marchevallee [E., Bulfinch]; Bauçans [OF]; -- [ON]
    Horse originally of Bréhus, the Saracen who also had the Lord Savior's balm; the horse was later ridden by Ogier after he loses his horse Broiefort but slays Bréhus in battle.

  10. Bayard [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Bayard, Baiart [F., AF]; Baiardo, Bayardo, Bajardo[It.]; Beiaard [Du.]
    Horse of Renaud de Montauban (It. Rinaldo). Previously owned by his magician cousin Maugis d'Aigremont (It. Malagigi).

  11. Blanchard(1) [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Horse that Roland rides in his combat against Otinel; the horse is called Bruant in the Karlamagnus Saga branch XI, ch. 6. See the related page on Otinel's sword ⇒Corsouse and his horse Migrados

  12. Blanchard(2) [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Name of Charlemagne's horse, which the king will not permit to be ridden by Ogier who is in need of a horse. (Bulfinch's Charlemagne, Ch. 26, prob. according to a variant of Chevalerie Ogier, Br. IX-X).

  13. Bonivent [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Horse of Sadone, a Saracen king matched up against Charlot in single combat. In the Norse saga, it is called Bruant.

  14. Broiefort [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Famed horse of Ogier.

    • @Bruhier [personage][charlemagne]

      Adversary of Ogier in Bulfinch's Charlemagne; a variant sp. of ⇒Brehus.

  15. Bruiant [OF] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Horse ridden by Charles when he fights against Maugis d'Aigremont.

  16. «Brunamont's sword»; "Nebuchadnezzar" [weapon:sword][charlemagne]

    The weapon of a Saracen named Brunamon(t)*1 [OF], who in Ch. O. (laisse 68, l. 2403-) is a fierce, tall, dark-haired and skinned man arriving to the aid of the Amiral. In the saga (Kms III, ch. 37) named Burnament [ON] who comes to the aid of King Ammiral and the character is greatly embellished: his sole diet consists of raw meat and wine mixed with blood, he has golden cat-like eyes, and is adept in sorcery, and would have been called a troll in the north.

    The sword once belonged to Nabogodonosor[ON] (Nebuchadnezzar), and was a fathom long from the boss to the tip.

    Brunamont was slain by Ogier and lost his horse ⇒ Broiefort to him.

    *1

  17. Clarmie [weapon:sword][charlemagne]

    Sword of Engelers of Bordeau (or of Gascony), according to German sources.

  18. Corengne [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    horse in Aquin 75 (Langlois)

  19. Curtana [weapon:sword][charlemagne]

    Curtana[E.]; Cortain, Corte [F., AF]; Kurt [ON]; [It.]
    The sword which goes unmentioned in Ch. de Roland but is borne by Ogier the Dane according to other accounts of this figure who is popular in many languages. The name means "short" or "shortened".

  20. Faradin [OF] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    The horse of Bérart de Montdidier (Gaufrei 190). [Source:Langlois]

    • ferrant [OF] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

      Ferrant, Ferant*1 [OF]
      [="iron gray, graying (as in graying hair)"*1]
      A coat color or horse name frequently used.
      *1 Dictionnaire de l'ancienne langue française :
      Ferrant, ferant, ferrand, ferand. adj. "gris de fer, grissonant"

  21. Ferrant (of Clairon) [OF] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    The horse of Clairon(or Claires), slayer of Agolant and the nephew of Girart d'Euphrate. (Chanson d'Aspremont DVII??: 10647)

  22. Ferrant (of Ydelon) [OF] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    In Chevalerie Ogier, the horse of the French knight Ydelon.                                                           

  23. Ferrant d'Espagne [F.] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Ferrant d'Espaigne (ch.de geste Fierabras)[OF]; Ferraunt Despaygne, Feraunt of Spayne (Caxton's Charles the Grete) [ME]
    In the verse and prose Fierabras, the horse of Oliver.                                                           

  24. @Ful («red horse that belonged to King Ful») [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    « raudr hestr mikil er att hafdi Fulr (af Nobilis) kongr» [ON];
    A good horse Rollant (=Roland) obtained, after which he gave ⇒Kastalein to Teorfi.

  25. Gaignon [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Marsile's horse, whose name means "guard dog, mastiff".

    • @Galafe [personage][charlemagne]

  26. «Jesus' balm» [item:medicine][charlemagne]

    An ointment ascribed with miraculous healing powers:
    1. = «Fierabras, Balm of», which was taken orally.
    2. = «Fierabras, Balm of» which was applied topically to the wound.
    a horse previously owned by Rollant, but given to the freshly knighted Teorfi.

  27. «Jesus' balm» [item:medicine][charlemagne]

    «bazme dont Dex fu embasmez» "balm with which God was embalmed" (Fierabras, l.549) [OF.]
    In Fierabras a horse previously owned by Rollant, but given to the freshly knighted Teorfi.

  28. Kastalein [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    In Karlamagnús saga I (ch. 58), a horse previously owned by Rollant, but given to the freshly knighted     Teorfi.

  29. Maigremor [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Maigremor [OF];
    ["meager black-coat"(?)]
    The horse of Vivien (de Monbrant), the pagan-fostered son of Duke Beuf d'Aigremont and twin brother of Maugis the enchanter. Vivien de Monbranc
    (Mg[Maugis d'Aigremont] 8455, 8567, 8728, 8754, 8772, 8800, 8811, 8825)

    • «Malpramis' pure white horse» [E.] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

      cheval tut blanc (de Malpramis) [OF]
      Horse ridden by the son of Baligant the Admiral. Malpramis is soon slain by Naimes. (La chanson de Roland CCXLIII:3369)

  30. Maltet [weapon:spear][charlemagne]

    Maltet [F]; -- [MHG]; -- [ON]
    The spear of Baligant.

  31. Marchevalee [E] [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Marchevalée [OF]
    Horse of Bruhier in Bulfinch's Legends of Charlemagne and a French fragment(?); variant name of the horse ⇒Baucent (of Bréhus)

  32. Marmore [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Marmoire [F]; Murmur [MHG]; Marmore [ON]
    [* Since the name means "marbled" it was either white like marble or had marbling streak marks, i.e., was brindled. Swifter than a flying bird, so it is said.]
    Horse ridden at Roncesvalles by Grandones (Grandonies [OF], Grandon [MHG]; Grandonis [ON]), son of a king named Capuel of Cappadocia (La chanson de Roland CXXI:1571). Also mentioned in the German Rolandslied (ll 5328-34) and the Karlamagnús saga VIII, ch. 29.

  33. Matefelon [bestiary:sword][charlemagne]

    Matefelon[F]; Killvillain [E.trans.]; -- [MHG]; -- [ON]
    Possible horse name of Girart d'Eufrate, occuring in Michael Newth's translation of The Song of Aspremont, where he calls the horse "Killvillain"

  34. Morel (of Duke Naimes) [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Morel*1 [F., AF]; Mores [ON]
    Horse of Duke Namon [OF] (or Duc Naime) according to Ch.O l. 2456; In the norse version (Kms III, ch. 37) it occurs*2 under the name Mores belonging to duke Nemes.

    *1 In Chrétien de Troye's Arthurian epic, Cligès has a black horse named ⇒Morel(1).
    *2But the horse name occurs only in in mss. A, a. and is lacking from the B, b. group.

  35. Maltet [weapon:spear][charlemagne]

    Mugleis [F]; -- [MHG]; -- [ON]
    The sword of Ganelon the traitor

  36. Nanant [item:flag][charlemagne]

    Nanant*1 [ON]; Mores [ON]
    Name of the banner borne by heathen King Klares in the Norse Otuel *1. In the French Otinel, Clarel's forces carries an ensign*2 but it is not named. A banner doesn't seem to be mentioned in the English version*3 .
    *1 Karlamagnús saga VI (Otuel), ch. 20
    *2Apparently a misreading of Otinell.1187 En haut s'escrie s'enseigne mescréant
     *3Otinel, Auchinleck ms. Þo þe Freinche kniʒtes seien/ Þe Sarasins fallen wiþ hare eien (1099-1100)

    • @Ogier the Dane [personage][charlemagne]

      Ogier le danois, Ogier de Danemarche [F]; Oger li Daneis [AF]; Oigir uone Tenemarche(RL), Oygier von Tenemarke(KdG) [MHG];
      Oddgeir [ON]; Autcharius (Anastatius'Adrian I.) [L.];
      alternate spellings: Oggero Spatha Curta [Sp./Nota Emilianense (late 11c.)];
      Uggeri il Danese [Ital.], Ogiero (il danese) [It./Orl.innamorato (1495)], Ugiero [It./Orl. Furioso (1516)]

      A Danish douzepeer who, though he has only a minor role at the battle of Roncesvalles, has a verse romance, Chevaleri Ogier de Danemarche (in twelve-branches; c. attr. to Raimbert de Paris) spanning his whole life.

      *1 xxxx
      *2

  37. Oliphant [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Olifant [OF]; Olifant, Olivant [ON]; Olivant [MHG]
    The ivory horn of Rollant.

  38. Penevaire [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Penevaire, Pennevaire*1 [F.,OF]
    The horse was captured by Bertram/Bertrand (Bertrans), son of Naimes/Namon, after his peaceful envoy mission to Lombardy turned sour. Seven+ years later, it was one of the horses test-ridden by Ogier.

    • perron [item][charlemagne]

      Originally an oblique case of  pierre, but in conventional usage refers to a "block of stone" such as that making up a base of a statue. The stone (perron) out of which Arthur pulled out the the Sword in the Stone (identified as Excalibur in some versions) and the stone blocks (perrun) against which Roland tried to break Durendal are famous examples in romance. In Ch. d'Aspremont, Ogier suggests testing out Durendal on "that stone platform" (Newth tr.) (cel perron, ll. 7477-8) before it is girded onto Roland.

    • «relics from Jerusalem» [relics][charlemagne]

      l'empereur Hugon de Constantinople gaber Charles, aussitôt, part pour visiter le Saint-Sépulcre à Jérusalem, mais aussi pour se mesurer avec son "rival". Dans une église à Jérusalem, on prend Charles et les douze pairs pour le Christ et les douze apôtres. Il demande des reliques au patriarche de Jérusalem qui l'en comble : le bras de saint Simon, la tête de Lazare, le sang de saint Étienne, le suaire du Christ, un des clous (!) de la crucifixion, la sainte couronne, le calice, l'assiette et le couteau de la cène, la barbe et les cheveux de saint Pierre, le lait de la Vierge ainsi que sa chemise.
    Le pèlerinage de Charlemagne

    • safré [OF] [--] [material:gem] [charlemagne]

      In chansons de gestes, generally taken to mean "orphreyed" or "ornamented with woven gold" and usually applied to the hauberc or burnie.

  39. «Turpin's "crosse"» [costume:crook][charlemagne]

    This is probably actually a crosier or the "bishop's crook".

  40. Tachebrun [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Horse of Ganelon. See under his sword, ⇒Murgleis

  41. «Turpin's horse» [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Though information is scanty in ch. de Roland, according to the Karlamagnus saga I., "ch. 58: Oddgeir and Teorfi Dubbed Knights," Turpin was given a black horse that had belonged to the heathen King of Kordurs (*=de Cordeis)*1.


    *1 In the third branch of the saga (Kms III, Ch. 36-) we learn that this king of Cordeis had the name Feridun and is ultimately killed by Oddgeir.

  42. «Turpin's crosse» / [item:staff][charlemagne]

    Crosier of Turpin.

  43. Veillantif [bestiary:horse][charlemagne]

    Veillantif [F, AF], Vegliantino [It.]
    meaning: vielle + antique "old ancient"? ; vegliantino"little vigilant one" [It.]

    Roland's good horse in ch. de Roland (laisse XCII, li. 1155), where no specific details is given as to the color of its coat, etc.

    In the Chanson d'Aspremont, Rolandins "little Roland" who was considered too young to be made a knight or outfitted as one, nevertheless escapes from his chaperones, enters battle, and rescues Charlemagne. Armed only with a club, he defeats the Saracen prince Aumont (or Eaumon), and is awarded this enemy's possessions, the horse Vielantiu and the sword Durendal.
    However in Kms I, ch. 58*1, Rollant was given a red horse that had belonged to the heathen King Ful (=Forré) of Nobilis (=Nobles) who Oliver had slain.

    Cf. also other horses Roland supposedly mounted; ⇒Kastalein, ⇒Blanchard.





    *1 In this account, King Karlamagnus kept Tengardus (=⇒Tencendur) for himself and gave Brocklafer (=⇒Broiefort) to Oddgeir.

  44. «Vienne, steel from», «steel Viennese» [material:metal] [charlemagne]

    Acer Vianeis [AF]
    Steel from Vienne, supposedy where Oliver's family is rooted, presumed to be the town of Vienne in the "Dauphiné region" along the Rhone River, about 29km S of Lyon. But swords of Viennese steel equip the Saracens (chanson de Roland, Laisse LXXIX, lines 998).

Sources

* Sources include chansons de gestes which number quite a many and include La chanson de Roland, Renaud de Montauban (=Quatre Fils Aymon), Le Chevalerie Ogier de Danemarche. In the cycle of William of Orange alone we count 24 gestes.

In language other than French, there is notably ten branches of the Karlamagnús saga, which even contains an Old Norse rendition of some geste or prose no longer extant in French. There are some Middle English metrical verse on the material, and translations by Caxton from the French into English which were published in the incunabula period of the printing press.
In Middle High German, we have Priest Konrad's Rolandslied which is a Bavarian dialect translation of the La Chanson de Roland. Another work is the Der Karl der Große.
The Franco-Italian collection Geste Francor contains not only works paralleled in other languages (e.g. Uggeri Il Danese on Ogier) but unique tales (Orlandino on Roland's childhood, and Berta e Milone regarding Milon the father of Roland). There is Barberino's I Reali di Francia whose source material generated the burlesque Orlando romances of Italian Rennaissance. An early text in Spain is the Nota emilianense (San Millianese Notes). In welsh is the Cân Rolant. Denmark has its Karl Magnus kronike / Olger Danskes krønnike which provide some differing telling on the paladins.
There are groups of cndinavian ballads on Charlemagne material. For example there is a Danish ballad where Ogier the Dane prevails over Dietrich von Bern.
There is a version of the Ogier the Dane romance where he gains near-immortality from "Morgue lit Faye", thus merging the Charlemagne cycle with the Arthurian. In it appears Oberon/Auberon, the fairy king who helps the Huon de Bordeaux.
Also there are chronicles such as Einhard's Vita Karoli, Gregory of Tours' Historia Francorum in Latin. And the pseudo-Turpin should not go without mention.

Further Links:[charlemagne]

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