Literature, Medieval -- Translations into English; Tales
Charles deferred the burial of Orlando till he came to Blaye. His body
was laid upon gold tapestry on two mules, covered with a pall, and at
length honourably interred in the Church of St. Roman, which he had
formerly built, and endowed with regular canons. His helmet was placed
upon his head, and his ivory horn at his feet. But the body was
afterwards translated to St. Severin in Bordeaux, the chief city of
these provinces, where it was joyfully welcomed, as it had liberally
tasted his munificence.
At Blaye likewise was buried Oliver, and Galdebode, King of Friezeland;
Ogier, King of Dacia; Aristagnus, King of Brittany; Garin, Duke of
Lorraine; and many other warriors. Happy town, graced with the sepulchres
of so many heroes! At Bordeaux, in the cemetery of St. Severin, were
buried Gayfere, King of Bordeaux; Angelerus, Duke of Aquitaine; Lambert,
Prince of Bourges; Galerius Galin; Rinaldo of the White Thorn; Walter
of the Olive Trees; Vulterinus, and five thousand of their soldiers.
Ocellus, Count of Nantes, and most of the inhabitants of Brittany, were
buried in that city. Charles gave twelve thousand pieces of silver and
talents of gold for the repose of their souls, and fed the poor for many
miles round the city of Blaye; endowing the church likewise with rich
vestments and silver ornaments, for the love he bore Orlando; freeing
the Canons from all service but prayers for him and his companions. He
moreover clothed and entertained thirty poor men on the anniversary of
their martyrdom, establishing Minstrels, Masses, and other solemnities,
which the Canons were not to neglect on that day, as they hoped to merit
a crown of glory, which they promised to perform.
CHAPTER XXX.
_Of those Buried at Arles._
After this the King and his army proceeded by the way of Gascony and
Thoulouse, and came to Arles, where we found the army of Burgundy,
which had left us in the hostile valley, bringing their dead by the way
of Morbihan and Thoulouse, to bury them in the plain of Arles. Here we
performed the rites of Estolfo, Count of Champagne; of Solomon; Sampson,
Duke of Burgundy; Arnold of Berlanda; Alberic of Burgundy; Gumard,
Esturinite, Hato, Juonius, Berard, Berengaire, and Naaman, Duke of
Bourbon, and of ten thousand of their soldiers. Constantine, Governor of
Rome, and other Romans, were conveyed thither by sea, and buried in
Apulia. The King gave twelve thousand pieces of silver, and as many
talents of gold, for the repose of their souls, and to the poor of
Arles.
CHAPTER XXXI.
_Of the Council held at St. Denis._
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