The Story of a Brave Knight

When I was a young boy my Grandfather always liked to tell the tale of how he was wounded during the extraordinary battle that killed the great Roland. My grandfather was a brave knight that held all the qualities a knight was supposed to possess. He was a chivalrous, brave, strong knight that feared nothing. He had never been beaten in battle, and I suppose he never was. That is for you to decide.

My grandfather served under the knight, Rowland, and his fateful assistant, Olivier. He would describe these men as fearless, “for when they were armed and mounted on their horses, not even death could make them shy from battle” (Song of Rowland, pg. 167). My grandfather held both of these men in very high regard. He served them well, and was sad when he could no longer offer them his services.

In this particular battle Rowland and Olivier are both taken from this world in death. Grandfather was by Olivier’s side when he felt the cold hand of death grab him and take him to the great beyond. He remembers that Olivier fell to the ground and confessed his sins aloud and prayed that God might grant him paradise and give His (God) blessing to France and Charles (the King), and most certainly to his best companion, Rowland. Grandfather remembers that Rowland was a grief stricken man, who wept for his friend. He recollected that you would never see a sadder man than Rowland, over the loss of his dearest friend.

Next, Grandfather would go on the remember Rowland’s death. He said you could see his brains oozing from his ears. Grandfather said that this is when Rowland blew his horn for help. He realized that his time was drawing closer, and he like Olivier, prayed to God. (Song of Rowland, pg.168-169) Grandfather said that this is when he too was wounded in battle. He was struck in the head and he stumbled into the woods where he lost his wits and fell into a deep slumber.

When Grandfather awoke from his unconscious state the battle was over, and he found himself lost deep within the woods. Night had fallen, and there was a bright yellow moon overhead. He said he wondered around for some time trying to recall what had put him in such a place and state. Grandfather would tell us that the farther he walked about, the deeper into the shadowy woods he wondered.