Charlemagne’s legendary paladins surround the emperor.
Numbering twelve, Charlemagne’s paladins also known as the “valiant ones” or the “Twelve Peers” serve the Emperor of the Franks. While some, like Charlemagne himself, are both historical and legendary figures, others are entirely fictional. They are often compared to the Knights of the Round Table, for like them, they embark on great adventures that have become the stuff of legend.
The Twelve Paladins of Medieval Literature
Sources: The Charlemagne Cycle, Charlemagne’s Pilgrimage, The Song of Roland
| CHARACTER | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Anséis | Appointed King of Spain by Charlemagne and received Joyeuse |
| Béranger | Knight killed by King Capuel of Cappadocia |
| Engelier | A Gascon knight from Bordeaux |
| Manage / Manage | Riding the horse Passecerf that killed the emir |
| Girart de Roussillon | Baron, first an adversary and later an ally of Charlemagne |
| Ogier the Dane | Captain of Charlemagne, then his enemy, jack of spades |
| Ivoire / Yvoire | Knight killed by Marsile, Charlemagne’s enemy |
| Ivon / Yvon | Knight killed by Marsile, Charlemagne’s enemy |
| Olivier | A legendary knight who fell at Roncesvalles, wielding the sword Hauteclaire |
| Othom / Oton | A knight who fell at Roncesvalles and killed the Saracen Estorgans |
| Roland | Charlemagne’s nephew, owner of Durandal, who fell at Roncesvalles |
| Samson | The man who killed the almácor (a kind of emir or governor) at Roncesvalles |
The Twelve Paladins of Modern Literature
Sources: *Orlando Furioso*, *The Doolin Song Cycle* from Mainz
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Astolfo / Astolpho / Estout | Orlando’s cousin, son of Otto, King of England, and descendant of Charles Martel (more details) |
| Ferumbras / Fierabras | Sarrasin became a Christian |
| Florismart | Orlando’s Friend |
| Patella | Mentioned in Dante’s *Inferno*, considered a traitor for placing Roland in the rearguard at Roncesvalles |
| Guy of Burgundy | |
| Malagigi / Maugris | Renaud’s charming cousin, the conqueror of Bayard’s horse and the second bearer of the Floberge sword |
| Namo / Naimon | Duke of Bavaria and advisor to Charlemagne |
| Ogier the Dane | Captain of Charlemagne, then his enemy, jack of spades |
| Olivier | Orlando’s friend or rival, depending on the account |
| Orlando / Roland | Charlemagne’s nephew, leader of the paladins |
| Otuel | Sarrasin became a Christian |
| Rinaldo / Renaud of Montauban | One of the four sons of Aymon of Dordogne, brother of Bradamante, riding the horse Bayard and chief bearer of Floberge, at the center of the story of the rebellious barons |
References
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Dernière modification le 17/05/2026.
