Sections CCXVII-CCLXII
Charles marshals his forces in ten columns; armies clash in extended battle; Charles kills Baligant in single combat.
44 argumentative units
- 01Charlemagne marshals ten columns for battle
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.
- 02Description of first through fourth columns' composition and readiness
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.
- 03Description of fifth through tenth Frank columns
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.
- 04Charlemagne's prayer to God for divine assistance
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.
- 05The Franks advance across Spain toward Baligant
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.
- 06Baligant arms himself with prideful preparation
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.
- 07Baligant advises his son Malprimes about Charles's vulnerability
Baligant counsels his son that Charles has lost his best warriors, particularly Roland, and therefore lacks the strength to withstand their combined forces.
- 08Baligant grants Malprimes first attack and territorial reward
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.
- 09Organization of Baligant's first thirty pagan columns
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.
- 10Composition of Baligant's second set of thirty columns
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.
- 11The final thirty columns of Baligant's army
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.
- 12Baligant displays pagan religious insignia and exhorts his forces
Baligant has his forces display dragons and standards bearing Tervagan, Mahomet, and Apollin, while calling his pagans to prayer and worship before battle.
- 13Baligant's strategic division of his forces
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.
- 14The two armies perceive each other across the open plain
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.
- 15Description of the martial splendor and scale of both armies
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.
- 16Charles rallies his Franks with exhortation against pagans
Charlemagne addresses his barons, dismissing the pagan threat despite their numbers and urging his forces to attack with him immediately.
- 17The first columns engage in direct combat
Rabel and Guineman lead the first Frank assault, with their lances striking the pagan vanguard and achieving initial victories in single combat.
- 18Count Rabel slays the Persian king Torleu
Rabel, using a golden-spurred horse, strikes down the Persian king Torleu with his spear, piercing through shield and armor.
- 19Guineman kills the king Leutice with complete armor penetration
Guineman destroys Leutice's shield and hauberk with his lance, driving it through his body and earning Frank acclamation.
- 20Malprimes conducts devastating assault on Frank lines
Baligant's son Malprimes inflicts heavy casualties on the Franks hour after hour until Baligant himself exhorts his forces to support his son.
- 21Description of the vast scale and intensity of the battle
The passage depicts the immense armies clashing with broken spears, torn armor, and blood-soaked fields, with neither side gaining decisive advantage.
- 22Baligant motivates his pagans with promises of reward
Baligant exhorts his forces by promising noble women, honors, lands and fiefs as reward for continued violent assault on the Christians.
- 23Charles appeals to his Franks' love and loyalty
Charlemagne reminds his vassals of past battles won together and appeals to their loyalty to avenge the warriors slain at Rencesvals.
- 24Duke Naimes defeats and kills Malprimes
Naimes, responding to Malprimes's assault on the Franks, strikes him with overwhelming force, tearing through his armor and killing him.
- 25Canabeus severely wounds Duke Naimes in combat
Baligant's brother Canabeus strikes Naimes with such force that he nearly kills him, splitting his helmet and wounding him grievously.
- 26Charles avenges Naimes by killing Canabeus
Charles intervenes to save the wounded Naimes and kills Canabeus with a lance thrust that breaks his shield and armor.
- 27Charles encourages the recovered Naimes to continue fighting
Charles assures Naimes that the pagan who attacked him is dead and urges him to rejoin the battle, pledging loyalty together.
- 28Baligant kills several Frank nobles in succession
The admiral continues his rampage, slaying Guineman, Gebuin, Lorain, and Richard, while his forces cry out his sword name 'Preciuse' in acclamation.
- 29Extended description of mutual carnage until evening
The battle continues with both sides suffering tremendous losses through the day until evening, with neither gaining clear advantage.
- 30Baligant prays to pagan gods for victory
As the battle intensifies, Baligant calls upon Apollin, Tervagan, and Mahomet, promising them golden images if they grant him victory over Charles.
- 31Gemalfin brings Baligant news of catastrophic losses
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.
- 32Baligant despairs upon learning of his losses
Baligant bows his head and weeps upon hearing of his son's and brother's deaths, wishing for immediate death given his grief.
- 33Jangleu counsels that pagans are defeated without divine aid
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.
- 34Baligant sounds final rally of remaining pagan forces
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.
- 35Count Oger rallies Frank forces to strike back
The courageous Count Oger summons Charles and other commanders, urging them to strike back against the pagans after their breakthrough.
- 36Charlemagne's forces destroy the pagan dragon standard
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.
- 37Pagans lose commitment after standard is destroyed
Upon seeing his standards destroyed, Baligant perceives his wrongness against Charles and the pagan forces lose confidence while Charlemagne exhorts his men.
- 38Charles and Baligant approach each other in single combat at dusk
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.
- 39The kings dismount and engage in sword combat
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.
- 40Baligant offers Charles submission terms before defeat
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.
- 41Baligant wounds Charles severely in the head
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.
- 42Saint Gabriel intervenes to restore Charles's strength
Saint Gabriel appears to the wounded Charles, restoring his courage and vigor so he can continue fighting despite his grave injury.
- 43Charles kills Baligant with France's blade
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.
- 44The Franks achieve complete victory with Baligant's death
With Baligant's death, the pagan forces withdraw and the Franks achieve complete victory, with Naimes helping Charles remount his horse Tencendur.