Sections CCXVII-CCLXII

Charles commands his forces to be organized into ten great columns, each with specific commanders and thousands of knights ready for battle against the pagan forces.

The text describes the composition of the first four Frank columns, emphasizing their quality warriors, equipment, and unwavering commitment to battle with their regional commanders.

The remaining six columns are detailed with their regional origins, sizes, commanders, and martial qualities, culminating in the tenth column of 100,000 veterans accompanying Charlemagne with the oriflamme banner.

Charles kneels and prays to God, invoking biblical examples of divine salvation and asking for vengeance for his nephew Roland, then mounts his horse and his forces advance while weeping for Roland.

Charles and his forces traverse the Spanish landscape and encounter news from Baligant's vanguard, prompting the admiral to prepare his armies for imminent battle.

The pagan admiral arms himself elaborately, naming his sword Preciuse to rival Charlemagne's Carlun, and demonstrates his prowess by leaping far on horseback as his forces acclaim him.

Baligant counsels his son that Charles has lost his best warriors, particularly Roland, and therefore lacks the strength to withstand their combined forces.

Baligant delegates the opening assault to his son Malprimes and promises him control of vast lands from Cheriant to Vale Marquis as reward for success.

Baligant marshals thirty columns of diverse pagan peoples, each with at least 50,000 warriors, representing various exotic nations and ethnic groups in service to the admiral.

A second group of thirty pagan columns are marshaled, drawn from various distant lands and peoples, with emphasis on their ferocious nature and lack of Christian faith.

The last thirty pagan columns are composed of Giants, Huns, and other foreign peoples, bringing Baligant's total force to thirty columns as recorded in the Gesta Francorum.

Baligant has his forces display dragons and standards bearing Tervagan, Mahomet, and Apollin, while calling his pagans to prayer and worship before battle.

Baligant divides his forces, sending most columns ahead while keeping elite units of Turks, Ormaleis giants, and Occiant warriors with him for direct confrontation with Charlemagne.

Both the Frank and pagan armies advance across an unobstructed plain and can see each other clearly, leading Baligant to command his tribes to advance for battle.

The passage depicts the shining armor, spears, and symbols of both armies as they advance, with the olifant and trumpets sounding as Baligant shows his forces to his brother Canabeus.

Charlemagne addresses his barons, dismissing the pagan threat despite their numbers and urging his forces to attack with him immediately.

Rabel and Guineman lead the first Frank assault, with their lances striking the pagan vanguard and achieving initial victories in single combat.

Rabel, using a golden-spurred horse, strikes down the Persian king Torleu with his spear, piercing through shield and armor.

Guineman destroys Leutice's shield and hauberk with his lance, driving it through his body and earning Frank acclamation.

Baligant's son Malprimes inflicts heavy casualties on the Franks hour after hour until Baligant himself exhorts his forces to support his son.

The passage depicts the immense armies clashing with broken spears, torn armor, and blood-soaked fields, with neither side gaining decisive advantage.

Baligant exhorts his forces by promising noble women, honors, lands and fiefs as reward for continued violent assault on the Christians.

Charlemagne reminds his vassals of past battles won together and appeals to their loyalty to avenge the warriors slain at Rencesvals.

Naimes, responding to Malprimes's assault on the Franks, strikes him with overwhelming force, tearing through his armor and killing him.

Baligant's brother Canabeus strikes Naimes with such force that he nearly kills him, splitting his helmet and wounding him grievously.

Charles intervenes to save the wounded Naimes and kills Canabeus with a lance thrust that breaks his shield and armor.

Charles assures Naimes that the pagan who attacked him is dead and urges him to rejoin the battle, pledging loyalty together.

The admiral continues his rampage, slaying Guineman, Gebuin, Lorain, and Richard, while his forces cry out his sword name 'Preciuse' in acclamation.

The battle continues with both sides suffering tremendous losses through the day until evening, with neither gaining clear advantage.

As the battle intensifies, Baligant calls upon Apollin, Tervagan, and Mahomet, promising them golden images if they grant him victory over Charles.

Baligant's friend Gemalfin informs him that his son Malprimes and brother Canabeus are dead, killed by Charlemagne and another Frank, weakening the pagan position.

Baligant bows his head and weeps upon hearing of his son's and brother's deaths, wishing for immediate death given his grief.

Baligant's advisor Jangleu declares that the pagans will not receive divine warranty and that Charlemagne's men are too formidable to overcome, advising a final mobilization.

The admiral sounds his trumpet to rally his remaining forces, including fierce soldiers from Occiant and Argoille, who break through Frank lines killing 7,000.

The courageous Count Oger summons Charles and other commanders, urging them to strike back against the pagans after their breakthrough.

Charles, Naimes, Oger, and Gefreid strike decisively; Oger destroys both Baligant's dragon ensign and Mahomet's standard, a sign of divine favor shifting to the Franks.

Upon seeing his standards destroyed, Baligant perceives his wrongness against Charles and the pagan forces lose confidence while Charlemagne exhorts his men.

As evening falls, the two kings encounter each other on the field, each recognizing the other by voice and ensign, and begin exchanging blows with their spears.

After their spears break and saddles fail, both kings fall to the ground, rise swiftly, and draw their swords for direct hand-to-hand combat.

During the duel, Baligant proposes peace, requesting Charles acknowledge him as superior and accept a fief from him, to which Charles refuses, demanding Christian conversion.

Baligant strikes Charles's helmet a mighty blow that splits it open and cuts away a great portion of flesh and bone on his brow.

Saint Gabriel appears to the wounded Charles, restoring his courage and vigor so he can continue fighting despite his grave injury.

Charles strikes Baligant's helmet with his sword, splitting his head open and killing him instantly, then cries 'Monjoie' in triumph as the pagans flee.

With Baligant's death, the pagan forces withdraw and the Franks achieve complete victory, with Naimes helping Charles remount his horse Tencendur.