--- title: Of Richard of Normandy — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees · page 2 description: Of Richard of Normandy, «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: On a certain day after these things Richard of Normandy said to his fellows, "How long are we to abide shut up --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/24/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/) / Of Richard of Normandy # Of Richard of Normandy · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/24/) **2** When he came to the Bridge Mantryble, he said to Gallafer, "The Admiral is ill content with you, because you suffered the messengers of King Charles to cross the bridge.[74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") They have done him great damage, holding his chief Tower, and therein his gods and Floripas his daughter, and have slain many of his servants.[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") And now there comes a messenger from these same men, who is on his way to Charlemagne to seek for help.[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") Keep him, therefore, from crossing the bridge, which thing if you fail to do, you will surely die shamefully."[77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") When he heard these words, Gallafer, the giant, was greatly enraged, and made as if he would smite Orage with a staff, but they that stood by hindered him.[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he mounted to the top of the Tower, and sounded his trumpet, so that many thousands of men assembled.[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") Also the drawbridge was lifted.[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile Duke Richard considered within himself by what means he might cross the bridge, and was in great perplexity, "for," said he, "I do not see how I may win forward, nor may I return, and so fail in my promise to Roland.[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") Now may God help me in my need."[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") And looking about him, he saw how the whole land was covered with multitudes of Saracens, of whom some were now but a little space behind him.[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") The foremost of these called to him with a loud voice, saying, "Now turn you, Sir Messenger, for your hour is come."[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") Duke Richard was ill content to hear such boasting, and, turning himself quickly, came upon him unawares and smote him so grievously that he fell dead to the earth.[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he took the Saracen's horse by the bridle and rode down to the river's bank.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") And lo! the stream ran as swiftly as a bolt from a cross-bow, with a noise like to thunder.[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") And when he saw this and heard the roaring of the water, he commended himself to God.[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") While he looked, lo! a white hart came to the river-side, and the river, which before had been so much below the bank as a man may conveniently cast a stone, began to rise, and so continued till it came to the very top of the bank and even overflowed it.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon the white hart entered the water, and Richard, commending himself to the protection of God, did the same, and swam safely to the other side.[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile King Charles, being in great trouble about the knights whom he had sent with a message to the Admiral of Spain, called together his counsellors and told them what was in his mind, saying, "I am greatly troubled because that no report has come to me concerning the knights that I sent.[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") I know not what to do, save that I will put off this crown, which I am not worthy to bear."[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") Said Ganelon, "My lord, I will give you good counsel.[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") Let us return forthwith to France.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") This town of Aygremore is too strong for us.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") And the Admiral is a great warrior, and has also all the Saracens and Pagans in the world to help him.[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") And now that Fierabras, his son, has been made a Christian by you, he is even more evilly disposed to you than he was before.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") Let us therefore go back to France.[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") It is true that many valiant peers and knights have perished, but they have left children behind them, and these, when they have grown to man's estate, will do those things wherein their fathers have failed.[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") So shall we recover the Holy Things, for which, indeed, I feel great sorrow, and avenge also Roland, the good knight whom I am persuaded you will never see more."[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") When the King heard this he fell into a swoon for the space of an hour.[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") When he came to himself he asked his lords again for counsel, for he was loath to go back and leave Roland and the other Peers without help.[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") But Ganelon and all that were of his kindred, and all that followed him, gave him the same counsel as before. "[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") There are twenty thousand of us," said Ganelon, "that have sworn not to go any further."[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") But the King said, "What shall my crown profit me, if I do this base thing, and leave these my knights to perish without help\![105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") He that gives me such counsel loves me but little."[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said Reyner, that was father to Oliver, "Sire, if you listen to these men you will do this realm of France such damage as may never be undone."[107](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") But Aloys, one of the friends of Ganelon, answered, "You lie, Duke Reyner; were it not that the King is here, this is the last word that you should say.[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") For indeed who are you that you take so much upon yourself?[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") Your father was a man of low estate."[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Reyner waxed so wroth that he smote Aloys to the ground.[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon there was great tumult and quarrelling, and there would have been bloodshed had not the King been there. "[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") For," said Charles, "any man that shall draw sword in this place shall be hanged as a thief, though he be of the highest estate."[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") So after a while the King, Fierabras helping, made peace, but "first," said he, "Aloys that spake so scornfully of Duke Reyner must crave pardon."[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") And this Aloys did, but sorely against his will.[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless the counsel of those who were for going back prevailed; for Geoffrey of the High Tower, than whom there was no man more worshipful in the King's court, was urgent that it should be so.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the King consented, but with much sorrow, and all the nobler sort among his lords were greatly troubled that this should be done.[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") So the signal of retreat was given.[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") Scarcely had the army set forth, when King Charles, chancing to cast his eyes eastward, saw one on horseback, with a sword drawn in his hand, that was riding with all the speed to which he could put his horse.[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon he called a halt, "for," said he, "if my eyes fail me not, this is Richard of Normandy.[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") God grant that he brings tidings of Roland and of the other Peers!"[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") As soon as Duke Richard was come to where he stood, the King asked him concerning Roland and the Peers.[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Duke Richard told him that they yet lived; also he told him concerning Floripas and the Holy Things, but that the knights were straitly besieged. "[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") Can they hold out," said Charles, "six days?[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") If so they shall be delivered." "[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") It may be," answered Richard. "[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") But they have no victual save what they can win with their swords; the Admiral also has a mighty host of Saracens about the Tower."[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") Also he told him about the bridge Mantryble, and of the great giant that kept it. "[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") This bridge," said he, "we must pass by subtlety, for by force we cannot.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") Now I have devised a plan by which this may be done.[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") Let some of us clothe ourselves as merchants, having our armour and arms under our cloaks, and let the rest hide themselves in a wood hard by, and be ready armed for battle.[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") So when we shall have gained the first gate, I will blow on my horn, and at this signal you shall ride up with all the speed you may."[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") The King greatly approved this counsel.[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon five hundred knights disguised themselves as merchants.[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") They made great bundles of hay and grass, which was to serve as merchandise.[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") Every man also was well armed under his cloak.[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") Duke Richard was their leader, and with him was Duke Reyner and others of great repute.[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/24/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/24/) - next →: [How the Bridge Mantryble Was Won](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/25/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)