--- title: How Archbishop Turpin Died — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: How Archbishop Turpin Died, «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: When Roland came to himself he looked about him and saw how great was the calamity that had befallen his ar --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/34/) [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/) / How Archbishop Turpin Died # How Archbishop Turpin Died How Archbishop Turpin Died of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 97 sentences and 1621 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. When Roland came to himself he looked about him and saw how great was the calamity that had befallen his army.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") For now there were left alive to him two only, Turpin the Archbishop and Walter of Hum.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Walter had but that moment come down from the hills where he had been fighting so fiercely with the heathen that all his men were dead; now he cried to Roland for help. "[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Noble Count, where are you?[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") I am Walter of Hum, and am not unworthy to be your friend.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Help me therefore.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") For see how my spear is broken and my shield cleft in twain, my hauberk is in pieces, and my body sorely wounded.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") I am about to die; but I have sold my life at a great price."[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") When Roland heard him cry he set spurs to his horse and galloped to him. "[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Walter," said he, "you are a brave warrior and a trustworthy.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") Tell me now where are the thousand valiant men whom you took from my army.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") They were right good soldiers, and I am in sore need of them."[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") "They are dead," answered Walter; "you will see them no more.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") A sore battle we had with the Saracens yonder on the hills; they had the men of Canaan there and the men of Armenia and the Giants; there were no better men in their army than these.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") We dealt with them so that they will not boast themselves of this day's work.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") But it cost us dear; all the men of France lie dead on the plain, and I am wounded to the death.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") And now, Roland, blame me not that I fled; for you are my lord, and all my trust is in you."[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") "I blame you not," said Roland, "only as long as you live help me against the heathen."[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") And as he spake he took his cloak and rent it into strips and bound up Walter's wounds therewith.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") This done he and Walter and the Archbishop set fiercely on the enemy.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Five-and-twenty did Roland slay, and Walter slew six, and the Archbishop five.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Three valiant men of war they were; fast and firm they stood one by the other; hundreds there were of the heathen, but they dared not come near to the three valiant champions of France.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") They stood far off, and cast at the three spears and darts and javelins and weapons of every kind.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Walter of Hum was slain forthwith; and the Archbishop's armour was broken, and he wounded, and his horse slain under him.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless he lifted himself from the ground, still keeping a good heart in his breast. "[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") They have not overcome me yet"; said he, "as long as a good soldier lives, he does not yield."[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Roland took his horn once more and sounded it, for he would know whether King Charles were coming.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Ah me! it was a feeble blast that he blew.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") But the King heard it, and he halted and listened. "[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") My lords!" said he, "things go ill for us, I doubt not.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") To-day we shall lose, I fear me much, my brave nephew Roland.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") I know by the sound of his horn that he has but a short time to live.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Put your horses to their full speed, if you would come in time to help him, and let a blast be sounded by every trumpet that there is in the army."[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") So all the trumpets in the host sounded a blast; all the valleys and hills re-echoed with the sound; sore discouraged were the heathen when they heard it. "[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") King Charles has come again," they cried; "we are all as dead men.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") When he comes he shall not find Roland alive."[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Then four hundred of them, the strongest and most valiant knights that were in the army of the heathen, gathered themselves into one company, and made a yet fiercer assault on Roland.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Roland saw them coming, and waited for them without fear.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") So long as he lived he would not yield himself to the enemy or give place to them. "[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Better death than flight," said he, as he mounted his good steed Veillantif, and rode towards the enemy.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") And by his side went Turpin the Archbishop on foot.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said Roland to Turpin, "I am on horseback and you are on foot.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") But let us keep together; never will I leave you; we two will stand against these heathen dogs.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") They have not, I warrant, among them such a sword as Durendal." "[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Good," answered the Archbishop. "[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Shame to the man who does not smite his hardest.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") And though this be our last battle, I know well that King Charles will take ample vengeance for us."[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") When the heathen saw these two stand together they fell back in fear and hurled at them spears and darts and javelins without number.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Roland's shield they broke and his hauberk; but him they hurt not; nevertheless they did him a grievous injury, for they killed his good steed Veillantif.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Thirty wounds did Veillantif receive, and he fell dead under his master.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Roland stood alone, for the heathen had fled from his presence, alone and on foot.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Fain would he have followed after the enemy; but he could not.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he bethought him of the Archbishop; when he looked, he saw him laid upon the plain.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") He unlaced his helmet and took the corslet from off him, and bound up his wounds with strips of his shirt of silk, and taking him in his arms laid him down softly on the grass.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") This done, he said to him, "Dear friend, suffer me to leave you awhile.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") All our comrades, the men whom we loved so much, are dead.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Yet we must not leave them lying where they are.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Listen then.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") I will go and seek for their bodies, and I will bring them hither, and set them in order before you." "[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") Go," said the Archbishop, "and come back as soon as you may.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") The field is left to me and to you.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Thanks be to God for the same!"[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Roland went to seek his comrades.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Alone he went, and passed over all the field of battle.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") He searched the mountains, he searched the valley.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") There he found the dead bodies of Gerier and of Engelier the Gascon, of Berenger and of Otho; and of others also.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") All the Peers of France he found where they lay.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he carried them one by one and set them all on their knees before the Archbishop.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Turpin could not choose but weep when he saw these brave comrades dead.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") He raised his hand and gave them his blessing. "[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Friends," said he, "an evil fate has overtaken you in this world; may the God of glory receive you in the world to come!"[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Now Roland went again and searched the plain till he found the body of his comrade Oliver.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Under a thorn he found it, and he raised it tenderly in his arms, and brought it back to where the Archbishop sat, and put it hard by the other Peers of France.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") And Turpin gave him also blessing and absolution.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") This done, Roland said with many tears, "Oliver, my brave comrade, never was there a better knight than you to break a lance, and shatter a shield, to give good counsel to the brave, and to put to shame traitors and cowards."[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") And when he had said this he looked round on that fair company of the dead, and his heart failed within him.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Such goodly knights they were, and so dear to him, and now they were gone.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") And he fell in a swoon upon the ground.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") When the Archbishop saw him fall he reached out his hand and laid hold of the horn.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") There was a spring of water in the place, and he would fain give a draught to his comrade.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") Gathering all that he had of strength together, he lifted himself from the ground, stumbling and staggering he went, but his strength did not suffice for the task; before he had gone the length of a furlong he fell staggering to the ground, and the agony of death came upon him.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") Roland came out of his swoon and lifted himself from the ground.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") He looked down and he looked up, and lo! on the other side of his dead comrades, stretched on the green grass, lay the great prince, the Archbishop.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") His life was well-nigh spent. "[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") I have sinned," he said, and he clasped his hands and lifted them to heaven, and prayed to God that he would take him into Paradise.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") And with these words he died.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") This was the end of Turpin.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") Never was there a man who dealt with the heathen with mightier blows or weightier discourse.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") May the blessing of God be upon him\![89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") When Roland saw that the Archbishop was dead, his heart was sorely troubled in him.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") Never did he feel a greater sorrow for comrade slain, save Oliver only. "[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") Charles of France," he said, "come as quickly as you may, many a gallant knight have you lost in Roncesvalles.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") But King Marsilas, on his part, has lost his army.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") For one that has fallen on this side there has fallen full forty on that."[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") So saying he turned to the Archbishop; he crossed the dead man's hands upon his breast and said, "I commit thee to the Father's mercy.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") Never has man served his God with a better will, never since the beginning of the world has there lived a sturdier champion of the faith.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") May God be good to you and give you all good things!"[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [How Oliver Was Slain](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/33/) - next →: [The Death of Roland](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/35/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)