--- title: How King Charles Sent Huon on an Errand — Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of F… · full text with trees description: How King Charles Sent Huon on an Errand, «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: King Charles, being now advanced in years and desiring rest, was minded to lay down his power. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/38/) [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 King Charles Sent Huon on an Errand # How King Charles Sent Huon on an Errand How King Charles Sent Huon on an Errand of «Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France» by Alfred John Church: the whole text, 122 sentences and 2503 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. King Charles, being now advanced in years and desiring rest, was minded to lay down his power.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") He called, therefore, his Barons together and said to them, "I am weary of my kingship.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Say now to which of my two sons, Charlot and Lewis, I shall resign it.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") For Lewis indeed is over young, and Charlot is not of such conditions as to be fit for such dignity."[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") The Barons answered, "Sire, let us consider the matter by ourselves."[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") So they went apart and considered it, and it seemed meet to them that Prince Charlot should be King.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Now there was among the Barons a certain Amaury, who was of kin to the traitor Ganelon.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") This Amaury said to the King, "It would be well to try the Prince Charlot.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Now there is the Duchy of Bordeaux, whose Princes, Huon and Gerard, have not yet taken the oath to you.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") If you will give me some soldiers I will bring them prisoners hither, and your son Charlot shall have their land.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") This shall be his trial before he have the kingdom of France."[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Duke Naymes, being both wise and true of heart, said to the King, "This is no good counsel of Amaury.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") The Princes are young, and, maybe, they have not failed in their duty to you of set purpose, but rather unknowingly.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") Send therefore messengers to Bordeaux and bid them come to your Court.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") If they obey, well; but if not, then you shall deal with them by Amaury's counsel."[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") So the King sent messengers to Bordeaux, and the Princes received them with great honour.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") And when they had delivered their message, the Duchess said, "I thank the King; my sons will certainly come to do him homage when I shall have made them ready for their journey."[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") So the messengers went back to the King and told him these words, and he was very glad, and said, "A good tree puts forth good fruit; Duke Sevyn of Bordeaux was a good man, and his sons are good men also.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") But as for this mischief-maker Amaury, I banish him from the land of France."[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Then went Amaury to Prince Charlot and said: "I had thought to win for you the Duchy of Bordeaux.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Duke Naymes has thwarted me.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless, the lands may yet be yours if only we can be rid of the Princes Huon and Gerard.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Let us fall on them when they ride this way."[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") These two, then, lay in wait in a wood by which they knew the two should pass.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Now Amaury's purpose was double, either that Huon and his brother should be slain, or if they should slay Charlot, then they should be accused to the King of this deed and suffer accordingly.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") So now he said to Charlot, "Yonder are Huon and Gerard; ride out against them, for they are but weaklings."[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") To his men he said, "Let the Prince go alone; he needs not your help."[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") So Charlot rode forth and held the way by which the two brothers must pass.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Huon said to his brother, "Go now and see what this knight demands; if he ask for toll, being master of the way, we will pay it."[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") So Gerard rode forward.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Prince Charlot said to him, "Who are you?"[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Gerard answered, "We are sons of Sevyn that was Duke of Bordeaux, on whom God have mercy." "[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Then," said the Prince, "you are sons of a villain.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Sevyn took from me three castles, and I could never have justice of him.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Now, therefore, you shall suffer for this wrong." "[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir," answered Gerard, "you see that I am without arms.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") It were a foul shame if you should slay me.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") But if you have suffered wrong we will make you amends." "[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") I will have no amends," cried the Prince, "but vengeance."[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") And when Gerard turned to flee, being unarmed, and fearing for his life, he rode at him and smote him with his spear, so that he fell to the ground as one dead.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") When Huon saw this deed he was greatly troubled, thinking that his brother was slain.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Spurring his horse, he rode with all haste, and overtook the Prince ere ever he came to the wood.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") He cried, "Who are you that have slain my brother without any cause?"[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Charlot answered, "I am son of Duke Thierry," for he would not be known; also he had disguised his shield, "and this I have done because your father took from me three castles, and I could never have justice of him."[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Huon said, "You are a false knight and a murderer, and I defy you."[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he wrapped his scarlet cloak about his arm and drew his sword, for other arms or armour he had none, and rode against the Prince.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") The Prince, on his part, spurred his horse and charged Huon with his spear in rest.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") He drave his spear through the cloak and through the gown that Huon wore, and through the shirt that was under the gown, but the body he missed.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Huon, on his part, raising his sword in both his hands, smote Charlot as he passed so fierce a blow that he brake his helmet in twain.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") So, the steel entering his brain, he fell dead upon the ground.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Huon, lighting from his horse, searched for Gerard's wound, and finding that it was of less account than he had thought, bound it up with a strip of his shirt.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he set him on an ambling nag that he had in his train, that he might ride the more easily.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") So the two went forward on their way to Paris, for Huon would make complaint to the King that, having a safe conduct, he had been so foully assailed.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Amaury's knights said to him, "What shall we do now?[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") The Prince lies dead on the plain.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") It were ill done if he that slew him should be suffered to escape."[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Amaury answered, "We will take up the body and carry it to Paris, and so accuse him before the King."[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") So he and his knights followed Huon and his company, carrying the body of Charlot with them.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") Huon, when he was come to Paris, went in and stood before the King, and told him what things had befallen him.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") First he said, "Sire, see this my brother, how he has been wounded."[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") And as he spoke he pulled aside Gerard's doublet and his shirt, and showed the wound beneath.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") And the lad fell in a swoon before the King and his lords, so great was the pain that he suffered.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") The King had a great pity for the wounded man, and bade fetch his own surgeon that he might dress the wound.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") He said also, "If I find out the man that has done this deed, I will deal with him in such fashion as shall never be forgotten."[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") After this Huon told the story how he had been assailed, and how he had slain his adversary.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") When the King heard it he said, "Now were this false knight my own son Charlot, whom I love with all my heart, I should not deny that he had met with his deserts."[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") While the King was yet speaking there was heard a great outcry in the street, for the body of the Prince was being carried through the town and the people lamented over it.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") The King said to the Duke Naymes, "Go now and see what this outcry may mean."[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") So the Duke went, but when he came to the great gate of the palace there was the body of Prince Charlot lying on a shield and borne by four knights.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") When the body was brought in and laid down before the King he said in a loud voice, "Tell me now who has done this deed and for what cause."[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Amaury answered, "The man who did this deed sits yonder.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") He is none other than Huon of Bordeaux."[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") When the King heard these words he would have fallen on Huon and slain him, only the Duke Naymes and others of his Barons held him back.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said Huon to the King, "Believe me, Sire, that I knew not this knight to be your son; verily, had I known it I should not have come to make my complaint to you as I have done this day.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") Rather should I have fled away and hidden myself as best I could."[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said the Duke Naymes to the King, "Let now Amaury stand forth and tell us why he lay in ambush in the wood with your son, and what purpose he had in his mind."[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") And Amaury stood forth and told this tale: "Sir, your son sent a message to me, desiring that I should go a-hawking with him.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") So I went with him, only we went armed, for I feared the men of Ardennes lest they should fall upon us.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") It chanced that we came to a little wood, and there we cast our hawks, and one of the hawks was lost.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") While we sought for it there came by Huon and his brother, and Huon had the hawk on his fist.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") Then your son full courteously required his own again, and Huon for answer drew his sword and slew your son, which when he had done he rode away so fast that we could not overtake him; and now I challenge him to say that he knew not the knight that demanded the hawk to be your son."[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said Huon, "I will prove that this Amaury is a false liar, and will make him confess that I knew not the knight whom I slew to be the King's son.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") And for my surety I give my brother Gerard, than whom there is none nearer of kin to me."[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") Amaury on his part gave as surety two nephews that he had.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") The King said to the Duke Naymes, "Let them prepare a field where these two shall fight, and till it be prepared shut them up in a tower, and let a hundred knights be ready to keep the field when it is prepared.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") For I will not suffer my son to be buried till the vanquished man be hanged, if he have not been already slain in the field."[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") When all was ready, the two champions took each his oath upon the holy relics that he had spoken the truth, and then made themselves ready for the fight.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") But men noted that Amaury, when he would have mounted his horse, stumbled so that he had well-nigh fallen to the ground.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, after proclamation made that no one should presume under pain of death to make any sign to either of the combatants, the King stood up and said, "My pleasure is that if no confession be made of the truth, then the vanquisher shall forfeit all his land and be banished from this realm."[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") And from this judgment he would not depart, though the Duke Naymes and the other Barons did protest that the King was unjust.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") After this the two knights joined battle.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") First they charged on horseback, breaking both of them their spears, and with so great a shock that their horses fell to the ground.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") Then both of them rose to their feet, and fought with their swords.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") First Amaury smote Huon on the helmet so strongly that he well-nigh stunned him.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") Indeed Huon was fain to rest for a space on one knee.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") When Amaury saw this, he cried, "Huon, you cannot hold out longer; it were well for you to confess your ill-doing."[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") But Huon answered, "Be silent, false traitor," and he made as if he would strike him on the helmet; but when Amaury raised his sword to guard the blow, then Huon turned suddenly his stroke, and smote the man under his guard so that he lopped off his left arm.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") When Amaury saw that he was so disabled, he bethought him of a base device.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") He said to Huon, "I do confess that I spoke falsely and that you knew not that the knight was Charlot.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") Therefore I yield me to your grace.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Come, therefore, and receive my sword, which I willingly yield to you."[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") But when Huon came near to take the sword, Amaury smote him on the arm, thinking to do him the same damage that he had himself endured.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") This stroke he missed, yet made a great wound, so that the blood flowed down.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said Huon, "Take this, false traitor!" and he slew the man with one stroke, but for repentance or confession there was no space of time.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Then said the King, "Did the vanquished man confess?"[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") And when he heard that no confession had been made he said to Huon, "I banish you for ever from this realm.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") Never shall you hold one foot of land in Bordeaux or Aquitaine."[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") Nor would he abate one jot from this sentence, for all that Huon begged him to have mercy, and the Duke Naymes with the other Barons were urgent with him that he should not do this great injustice.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") Nevertheless at the last when he saw that he was left alone, for the Duke with his fellows had departed from the palace, he was constrained to relent somewhat from his purpose.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") So he called the Barons, saying, "Come back to me, for I must perforce yield to your desire."[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") To Huon he said, for the young man knelt before him with much humbleness, "Will you do that thing which I command?"[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") And Huon answered, "Sire, there is nothing in the whole world that I would not do at your bidding, if I might thereby be restored to your grace.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") Verily I would go to the gates of hell, as did Hercules, if you should send me thither."[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") The King answered, "Maybe, Huon, I shall send you to a worse place than that to which went Hercules, for of fifteen messengers that have already gone thither there has not come back to me a single one.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") Hear then what I shall say: you shall go to the city of Babylon and enter the palace of Gaudys that is Admiral of the city when he sits at his dinner.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") And you shall defy him, and shall take the sceptre from his hand.[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") This sceptre shall you render into my hands.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") After this I will take you again into favour, and will give back to you your lands."[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") The Barons said, "Sir, you must greatly desire the death of him whom you send on such an errand."[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") The King answered, "Let him never come back to France except he bring the Admiral's sceptre with him."[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") Nor would he grant him any further grace, save that ten knights should go with him.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") So Huon made ready to go.[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Of the Punishment of Ganelon](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/37/) - next →: [How Huon Met With King Oberon](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/39/) - ↑ back to [Stories of Charlemagne and the twelve Peers of France](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg75339/)