1 Lines 2254–56: The Christians then understood that those who were away were slain, and came to his call [i.e., Roland’s blowing of his horn]

ABBREVIATIONS: DR: Duke Roland and Sir Otuel of Spain; MED: Middle English Dictionary; OED: Oxford English Dictionary; OK: Otuel a Knight; OR: Otuel and Roland; Otinel: Anglo-Norman Otinel; Pseudo-Turpin: The Chronicle of Pseudo-Turpin, ed. and trans. Poole; Song of Roland: The Song of Roland: An Analytical Edition, ed. and trans. Brault; RV: Roland and Vernagu; Whiting: Whiting, Proverbs, Sentences, and Proverbial Phrases.

1–45 Herkenyth lordynges . . . . tell you aryght. The opening announces that the poem will tell of Charlemagne’s conquest of Galicia in Spain, and then adds details about the various episodes. Curiously, one of the cited episodes — Roland’s slaying of Vernagu (lines 16–18) — is not included in OR. Others are misleading: the combats against Ebryan and Emon take up only a few lines (lines 19–21; compare lines 1700–1858), and Roland does not overcome Otuel (lines 25–26).

16–18 Vernagu . . . . in false lore. The poet’s reference is to Otuel’s uncle Vernagu, slain by Roland in a duel, an action occurring prior to the events recounted in OR. Vernagu, a well-mannered giant Saracen, arrives at Charlemagne’s court as a messenger. When given the opportunity, he will not convert to Christianity, and is therefore killed by Roland. The story is told in RV and Pseudo-Turpin. In OR, this mention of the back-story raises familial vengeance as a motive for Otuel’s coming to Charlemagne’s court. Compare the more expanded references to Vernagu in DR, lines 313–18, and in Otinel, lines 204–09.

31 dussyperys. “Twelve peers.” According to legend, Charlemagne recognized twelve knights — his dussepers — as his greatest, noblest warriors.

40–41 Ercheboschope Syr Turpyn . . . . wrote in Latyn. Archbishop Turpin is a key militant and ecclesiastical character in the Song of Roland and the Middle English Charlemagne romances. In Otinel, RV, and the three Otuel romances, Turpin’s role is limited to episcopal duties: performing Mass and baptizing converts. In the fifth Otuel-cycle romance, The Siege of Milan, Turpin plays a central role. Here, in OR, Turpin is named as an eyewitness chronicler of events, as in Pseudo-Turpin. On Turpin’s role in the Song of Roland, see the note to line 2114 below.

48 Chyldermasse Day. Holy Innocents’ Day (December 28). See MED childermass-dai (n.), “the feast day commemorating Herod’s slaughter of the infants” (Matthew 2:16). This detail is borrowed from the source; see Otinel, line 17, and compare OK, line 55.

50 Parys. Here, Charlemagne appears to live in Paris and hold court in Saint-Denis. The other Otuel romances also set this scene in or near Paris. In Otinel, Charlemagne holds court in Paris, having come from Clermont Ferrand (line 18). In DR, Charlemagne dwells in Paris (line 39). In OK, Charlemagne appears to arrive from Saint-Denis to hold court in Paris (lines 57–58). Although the poet identifies Paris as a key location for Charlemagne, this is historically inaccurate. The Roman town of Lutetia Parisiorum did not develop into the administrative center of France until the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Hugh Capet, count of Paris and duke of the Franks, was elected king of the Franks in 987, and subsequent Capetian kings expanded the city’s size and influence. During the Carolingian age, Aix-la-Chapelle, also called Aachen, was where Charlemagne lived and ruled.

51 Seynd-Denys. Saint-Denis, located near Paris, is the site of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, housing the relics of the martyred first bishop of Paris. It has long been connected to the royal line, and was the burial site for French kings from the tenth century until the French Revolution.

55–87 Thenne came . . . . hope to spylle. Compare Otinel, lines 33–58.

71 hore berde. The reference here is to Charlemagne’s iconic white beardedness. In Otinel, lines 36–37, Charlemagne has a “fluri gernun” (white moustache) and “grant barbe” (great beard). See also RV, line 664 (“hore bard”); and DR, line 80 (“white berde large and lange”).

88–93 Roulond sayde . . . . none wynne. Compare Otinel, lines 59–61.

106 Cursins. Corsouse is Otuel’s named sword. It is later described as a “falchion,” a long sword with a curved blade (lines 531, 1816, etc.). See MED fauchoun (n.). On other named swords, see the notes to lines 183, 900–04, 1240, and 2326–49 below.

121–22 Mahon / Jubiter and Syre Platon. Middle English romances often misrepresent Muslims as polytheists who worship idols, naming three or four gods as central to their fictionalized faith: Mahoun, Jubiter, Apollin, and Termagaunt. Platon is another, though less common, fictional god. See the discussion in the General Introduction, p. 16.

124 So mote Y thee. “so may I thrive,” an common idiomatic phrase; see MED thriven (v.), sense 1c. See also lines 523 and 979. For a negative variation (“Evel mote he the”), see line 2061.

128 mametrye. “idolatry.” Muslims, as Saracens, are inaccurately depicted as worshiping idols. On Western Christian beliefs about Muslim idolatry, see the discussion in Strickland, Saracens, Demons, and Jews, pp. 166–69.

151–56 And yut hath . . . . none so ryche. The location of Utaly as a major Lombard city situated between two rivers makes it likely that the poet is referencing Pavia, the capital of Lombardy in the seventh and eighth centuries, which is located on the Ticino River three miles upstream from its confluence with the Po River. The Ticino (which the poet names “Coyne” in line 693) rises in the Swiss Alps, descends into Italy through Lake Maggiore, and is the largest left-bank tributary of the Po. It is over the Coyne/Ticino that Charlemagne builds the bridge over which the French will pass to attack the city; see the notes to lines 695–701 below. In DR, Garcy’s city in Lombardy is called Ataly (Atelie in Otinel, line 167).

154 uyterly. “completely, fully.” See MED, witterli (adv.), sense 2.c, which cites this line.

164–74 Come nought there . . . . And thynne arn al yong. Otuel insults Charlemagne by calling him too old to engage in battle and saying he might match his strength only against birds. At the end of Otuel’s taunt, he says that Charlemagne’s knights are incapable of besieging Utaly because they are too young and inexperienced.

166 ferhede. “armed combat.” MED ferreden (n.), sense 2b. Compare “ferede,” meaning “army” (sense 2a), at line 1169.

183 Dorundale. Durendal is the name of Roland’s famous sword. In Rocamadour, France, one may see a chapel with a sword embedded in its outside wall. By local legend, this sword is Durendal. De Veyrières notes the claim (found in l’abbé Cheval’s 1862 guidebook, Guide du Pélerin à Roc-Amadour) that the real Durendal was stolen in 1183 when Henry II pillaged the chapel, and he includes a drawing of the current sword (“L’Épée de Roland,” pp. 139–41). Compare the note to lines 2326–49 below.

239 Seynt-Omeres. Saint-Omer is a place in northern France named for Saint Audomarus (Omer), a seventh-century bishop and founder of the monastery alluded to here. This detail is borrowed from the French source. See Otinel, line 226, and compare DR, line 329.

245 florens. A florin was a gold coin minted in Florence and stamped with the figure of a lily. An English florin was worth 6 shillings and 8 pence. See MED floren (n.).

252–69 . . . n to honouryng . . . . Sarsin Otuel. Damage to folio 34v renders these lines only partially visible. The ritual is that Roland offers his sword as a pledge to Saint Denis, then retrieves the sword as he redeems the pledge through charitable alms (a cash payment). When Mass has ended, Otuel arrives and, apparently not seeing Roland, accuses him of cowardice for not showing up to fight as promised. Roland kneels in prayer before calling Otuel a liar. Compare Otinel, lines 223–51, OK, lines 395–422, and DR, lines 329–48.

272 Dogge thou lyest by Seynt Mychel. Roland responds to Otuel by calling him a dog and a liar. He swears by Saint Michael the archangel, patron saint of warriors and the leader of God’s army (Jude 1:9; Apocalypse 12:7). On calling a Saracen a dog, compare the note to line 1449 below.

292 grene as glas. “Green” is not one of the usual adjectives linked with “glass” in Middle English. See MED grene (adj.), sense 1a (where this line is cited), and glas (n.), sense 1a. The original may have read “clene as glas” (a more common phrase), meaning “as shiny as glass.”

331–32 Leire . . . Some. The Loire and the Somme are French rivers. The Loire, the longest river in France, stretches from the Massif Central in southern France to the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes in southern Brittany. The Somme runs westward through Picardy in northern France to its mouth in the English Channel.

349–50 Sche toke . . . . Resonet de Rowenele. Compare Otinel, lines 327–28.

364 for the nonys. The term for the nonce means approximately “for the moment” or “for the occasion,” though it is primarily used as a meaningless metrical filler. See MED nones (n.1) and none (n.).

375 With thre Sarisins heuedys of sabyl. Medieval knights were identifiable by the images on their shields. Otuel carries a racialized emblem: three black Saracen heads. Roland carries a lion on his shield (line 301). Compare the note to lines 1366–68 below.

377 Mygades. Mygades is the name of Otuel’s horse. Compare DR, line 434 (“Mekredose”).

384 Withouten ony fayle. “Without doubt.” The manuscript reads “fable,” which is here emended to “fayle” because the corresponding b-rhymes make the substitution obvious. For this common tag, used frequently for rhyme, see MED faile (n.), sense 2.

456 To wetyn and nought to wene. “Of certainty and without doubt.” On this tag, see MED, witen (v.1), sense 1h.

491 was ther no chyldys game. Proverbial. See Whiting C221.

511–31 Roulond to Otuel . . . . Cursins my fauchon. Compare Otinel, lines 454–69.

552 felonye. “violent temper, violent nature, ruthlessness.” See MED felonie (n.), sense 4a.

568–73 With that . . . . holy myght. A white dove is a traditional sign for the presence of the Holy Spirit (one of the Three Persons of the Trinity), which is associated with God’s grace (see Luke 3:22). Compare Otinel, lines 516–18; OK, line 585–88; and DR, lines 578–79.

658–63 Lemosyns . . . . stoute and fere. Compare Otinel, lines 636–42.

679–81 Syre Otuel . . . . mule a prys. The poet borrows the idea of Belesent riding on a mule from Otinel, line 656, but adds the detail that Otuel mounts her upon it. Compare DR, line 736.

686 ferdales. “furlongs.” This word is a misrepresentation of the original French word, “Versels” (Otinel, line 664), referring to the city Vercelli. See the explanatory note to DR, lines 742–56.

689–90 mount . . . . Poyne. If this name is intended to denote a real mountain in Lombardy (“Mount Point”), its identity is unknown. Also mentioned at line 864 (“Mount Paynt”), it is said to overlook Utaly, a city situated on the banks of the Coyne River (another unknown name). The poet borrows the name from Otinel, line 667 (“Munpoun”). Pavia itself is situated on a small hill, but the plains surrounding Pavia are quite flat, with no significant heights between the Monferrat Hills and Pavia. The meadow where the French army encamps is across the Coyne/Ticino River from Pavia, around five miles from the city. See the explanatory note to Otinel, lines 664–68.

695–701 Charles chese . . . . come and go. The bridge that Charlemagne has built over the Coyne/Ticino River helps to locate Pavia as the site of Utaly. See the note to lines 151–56 above; and compare OK, lines 697–706; DR, lines 754–56; and Otinel, lines 674–80.

696 telden on hys pavylon. “pitch his tent.” See MED telden (v.), sense a, and paviloun (n.), sense 1b, where this line is cited.

721–23 Curables . . . . here fere. Compare Otinel, lines 696–702.

740 Agelond. An unknown Saracen place, of which Roland has slain the lords. For this action, Clarel vows revenge.

781 Oger Denys. Ogier the Dane is one of Charlemagne’s dussepers in the chanson de geste tradition. See the discussion in the General Introduction, p. 5n13.

794 With that cours. “Forcefully, vigorously”; literally “with that force of movement, impetus.” See MED cours (n.), sense 3a, for the phrase with cours. Oliver is charging his opponent.

864 Mount Paynt. “Mount Point.” On this unidentified mountain in Lombardy, see the note to line 689–90 above.

884–88 Good hyt ys . . . . a grete lordyng. Compare Otinel, lines 848–50.

900–04 Cursable . . . . Haunchecler. Ogier’s sword is named Cursable, and Oliver’s is Haunchecler. Like Roland’s Durendal and Otuel’s Corsouse, the mightiest warriors’ swords of chansons de geste often acquire names that associate them with their owners. Oliver’s sword is also named at DR, line 914 (“Haunkclere”), and at Otinel, line 873 (“Halteclere”). Ogier’s sword is named “Curteine” at Otinel, line 877. On other named swords, see the notes to lines 106, 183, 1240, and 2326–49.

954 yeve nought an hawe. Proverbial. See Whiting H190 and note to OK, line 200.

980 waraunt. The Saracen lord is saying that he will not permit Clarel to be Ogier’s protector from being killed or dismembered.

1039–47 Otuel aspyede . . . . lordynges yare. Compare Otinel, lines 1000–17.

1039 Otuel. The large red initial O of this word opens this line, indicating a secondary transition (not a fitt division). See the discussion in the General Introduction, p. 23.

1058–74 And sayde . . . . a lytel thrawe. Compare Otinel, lines 1043–47.

1071 plawe. “battle, fight, conflict.” See MED pleie (n.), sense 4c.

1091 he ne flycted. Literally, “he did not flee.” See MED, flighten (v.).

1099–110 Olmadas . . . . grete renoun. Olmadas of Aschomoyne, a Saracen, unhorses Duke Reyner (Charlemagne’s chamberlain; see line 223) and takes the steed. The Christian knight Emoleres then attacks Olmadas, striking off the Saracen’s head with a mighty blow.

1146 grenned as an hownde. Proverbial. See Whiting H584; and compare line 1496. Otuel’s strike at Empater’s face anticipates his later strike at Clarel, which will also expose a Saracen’s teeth (line 1463).

1165–203 Anone Clarel . . . . Y thee plyght. Compare Otinel, lines 1195–1234.

1240 Melyn. This is the name of Clarel’s sword. Compare DR, line 847, where it is named “Melle,” and Otinel, line 807, where it is named “Mellee.” On other named swords, see the notes to lines 106, 183, 900–04, and 2326–49.

1267–350 Thou olde Charlys . . . . in Godys name. Compare Otinel, lines 1311–52.

1324 nought worth a tord. Proverbial. See Whiting T526. Compare Chaucer’s Tale of Sir Thopas (CT VII[B2 2120]).

1366–68 Thre swerdys . . . . a ryche ston. Belesent has replaced Otuel’s old shield, which bore an emblem of three black Saracen heads, with a new, bejeweled one bearing an emblem of three silver and three golden swords. Compare the note to line 375 above.

1388 Alle it is in God long. “It’s all in God’s power.” See MED bilong (adj.), sense 1b.

1433 sprange oute as sparcle of glede. Proverbial. See Whiting S562. Although the phrase is used more often to describe the swiftness of knights’ movements (i.e., springing out of a saddle or into battle), it is also conventional for knights’ blows to be so violent that sparks fly from their weapons. See, for example, Lybeaus Desconus (Lambeth Palace, MS 306), ed. Salisbury and Weldon, lines 1176–78 and 1980–82. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight’s horse famously strikes sparks with its hooves exiting King Arthur’s court (ed. Winny, line 459).

1449 hethen hounde. The phrase commonly appears in Middle English romances as a term of abuse to describe Saracens. See MED hound (n.), sense 2b, which also notes the use of “cristen hound — said in disparagement by an infidel.” The phrase reappears at lines 1644 and 2278. Otuel calls Roland “worse than ony hounde” at line 467, and Clarel imagines himself being called a “hounde” at line 1496. Compare, too, the notes to lines 272 and 1146 above.

1459–85 He smote hym . . . . syttyth alle onmys. Compare Otinel, lines 1445–56.

1463 That men myght sen hys tethe. Compare the note to line 1146 above.

1464 lewed and lered. This phrase literally means “the uneducated and the learned,” but it can be used more generally to mean “people of all types.”

1615 The Fillingham manuscript lacks several folios after this line at the base of fol. 57v. If seven leaves are missing, as O’Sullivan suggests (Firumbras and Otuel and Roland, p. xliv), that would constitute a gap of over 400 lines, but comparison to other versions of the story suggests that three to five leaves (approximately 186 to 310 lines) are missing (see also O’Sullivan, p. xiv). The corresponding passages in Otinel (approximately 302 lines), in OK (approximately 250 lines), and in DR (approximately 190 lines) suggest that, on the absent folios, the poet recounted some of the following episodes: one-on-one combats featuring Roland (killing a Turk), Oliver, and Otinel; more melees between Christians and Saracens; a conversation between Garcy and a Saracen about their losses; a moment when Otinel, Roland, and Oliver join together to rout the Saracens; Charlemagne’s pleasure at watching the Saracens flee; and a few lines of transition to Ogier as he is about to escape from captivity.

1616–36 And threw . . . . doughty knyght. In the penultimate scene of the Otuel section of the romance, just before the capture of King Garcy, Ogier the Dane breaks out of prison and rejoins his comrades. In this version, which lacks the opening lines of the scene due to missing folios, Ogier throws guards over the castle wall, breaks his chains, finds his horse and armor, and shouts a gracious farewell to Enfamy. For alternate scenarios, see Otinel, lines 1836–69; OK, lines 1629–78; and DR, lines 1543–60.

1646–81 To the Turkeyes . . . . trumpes and daunsyng. Compare Otinel, lines 1873–1901.

1682–93 The Erchebyschop . . . . Y yow telle may. On the different endings among the French and Middle English accounts of Otuel/Otinel, see the explanatory note to Otinel, lines 1899–904.

1694–978 Here bygynneth . . . . ther agayn. Fitt 7 recounts two episodes that appear in neither Otinel nor the Song of Roland, one in which Charlemagne fights against Ebrayn, a strong Saracen king (lines 1700–1858), the second in which he fights against the king of Navarre (lines 1859–1921). A large red initial at line 1859 marks the beginning of the second episode. As a result of the two battles, Charlemagne takes control of Spain and Galicia.

1700–858 Afftyr Garcy . . . . joye and solempnité. King Ebrayn has brought a Saracen army to Cordoba, where they are joined by Germans escaped from the battle against Garcy. Charlemagne travels to Cordoba, kills Ebrayn in single combat, takes Cordoba, and converts the city’s inhabitants.

1716–20 Syxty thousand . . . . all to be. Ebrayn’s army is said to number sixty thousand Saracens, but since Charlemagne is said to have only sixty thousand men to fight against “hem all,” the first number may reflect a scribal error.

1859 Welle. The large red initial W of this word opens this line, indicating a secondary transition (not a fitt division). See the note to lines 1694–1978 above, and the discussion in the General Introduction, p. 23.

1859–921 Welle sone . . . . kynnes nede. This passage presents a moral lesson that no man may escape his preordained death. On learning that the king of Navarre has begun a campaign of pillage and burning, Charlemagne comes to fight. Before the battle, he beseeches Jesus and Mary that each warrior who is fated to die be marked with a red cross on his shoulder. When, on the morning of the battle, he sees a thousand men so marked, he commands them to stay behind. After he has defeated the king of Navarre, Charlemagne returns to camp to find that the marked knights are dead.

1866 Mount Gardyn. A unidentified place-name.

1929 yfeffyd. Charlemagne has enfeoffed each man who helped him in battle; they are now his honored vassals, bound to fight for him when he requires it, and rewarded for their service.

1941 Jercos. It is unknown who the “Jercos” are. Based on the passage, they are inhabitants of a place in Spain to whom Charlemagne rewards the castle Tandylyf.

1979–2790 Here bygynnyth . . . . wythoute bale. The retelling of the Song of Roland in Fitts 8 and 9 is unique to the Fillingham manuscript. Fitt 8 (lines 1979–2586) recounts the Battle at Roncevaux in which Roland dies while leading Charlemagne’s rearguard against a vastly larger Saracen army. For another retelling in English, see the Middle English Song of Roland (Fragment of the Song of Roland, ed. Herrtage) and the discussion in the General Introduction, pp. 12–13.

1981–2016 Now lete . . . . cité of Pampulon. These lines are also found (with slight variations in wording) in RV, lines 425–60. The overlap contributed to the now-discarded “Charlemagne and Roland” theory of a lost romance. See the discussion in the General Introduction, pp. 7–8.

1982–90 speke we of Charles . . . . red of face. On the description of Charlemagne, borrowed in part from Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne, p. 34, see the discussion in the General Introduction, p. 9. On his gigantic size, compare the explanatory note to RV, lines 474–83.

2017–28 Twey Sarsins . . . . here tyme se. In this section of OR, Charlemagne and Roland’s opponents are two Saracen rulers from Persia — Mansour and his brother Beligans — who have been sent to Pamplona by the sultan of Babylon to harass Charlemagne. In the first part of the Song of Roland (lines 1–2608), Charlemagne and Roland’s foe is Marsile, Saracen king of Spain. His overlord Baligant, the aged emir of Babylon, is not mentioned until line 2614 of the Song of Roland, after Marsile’s armies have been defeated.

2023 Mansour. The name Mansour means “the one who is victorious.” Al-Mansur (Abu Ja’far Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Mansur) ruled from 754 to 775 over the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258, the second of the two great Muslim caliphates). Al-Mansur moved the Abbasid capital city from Syria to Iraq, where he found the city of Baghdad in 762–63. The Abbasid dynasty fell to the Mongol Hulagu Khan (a grandson of Ghengis Khan) who conquered Baghdad in 1258. Regardless of whether the OR poet knew any of this, he clearly associated the name Mansour with a Muslim military leader.

2029–97 Charlys bythought . . . . beyt suche. In the Song of Roland, Gwynes (Ganelon) was Charlemagne’s brother-in-law and Roland’s uncle. He is also, famously, one of the great traitors of Western European literary history. Dante places Ganelon among the traitors to country, who lie eternally in Cocytus, the frozen lake at the very bottom of Hell (Inferno, ed. Sinclair, 32.122). For the classic account of Ganelon’s treason, see the Song of Roland, lines 10–702. The lines in OR offer an abbreviated rendition of how Ganelon joins with the Saracens to plot Roland’s death.

2082 whyt a flour. Proverbial. See Whiting F308.

2096 Judas. Judas is the disciple who betrays Jesus, hence a common model for traitors. See, for example, Matthew 26:14–25.

2098–106 Charlys grethed . . . . forto lede. On the assignment of Roland, Oliver, and the other dussepers to lead the rearguard during Charlemagne’s passage through the Pyrenees Mountains, see the Song of Roland, lines 737–825.

2114 Turpyn. Here, Turpin stays with Charlemagne, whereas in the Song of Roland the warrior-archbishop accompanies Roland in the rearguard and plays a major role: when Marsile’s army attacks the rearguard at Roncevaux, Turpin blesses the French warriors, explains why they must fight to martyrdom, comforts the dying Roland, and is himself one of the last three French warriors to die. The OR poet names Turpin as a surviving eyewitness; see the note to lines 40–41 above.

2122–478 Syxty thousand . . . . Y thee say. This 357-line account of the battle at Roncevaux summarizes 1549 lines in the Song of Roland (lines 848–2396). The OR poet’s concern is to convey the general story and a few highlights, not to provide a thorough account of the battle and its political ramifications.

2122–23 Syxty thousand . . . . brought tho. While Mansour here leads a force of 60,000 fighters, Marsile’s army in the Song of Roland numbers 400,000 Saracens. In each text, Roland leads a rearguard of 20,000.

2156 As der that beyth withinne the net. Proverbial. See Whiting D148. See also line 2642.

2164–66 Though Oger . . . . dethys wounde. This account of Ogier the Dane’s death as he fights under Roland’s leadership does not occur in the Song of Roland, where Ogier remains with Charlemagne and eventually leads one of the emperor’s three columns in the battle against Baligant.

2187 develes lemes. In its literal sense, “lemes” usually means “limbs”; here, the Saracens are characterized as limbs of the devil, much as Christians were often characterized as parts of the body of the Christ. See MED lim (n.1), sense 4a; and compare line 2652.

2188–211 A Sarsyn . . . . ys me bynome. This scene in which a blinded and dying Oliver unintentionally strikes his companion Roland is conveyed with great drama in the Song of Roland, lines 1989–2009.

2252–53 hys horn . . . . in hys honde. These two lines show Roland blowing his horn. In the Song of Roland, the act of Roland blowing his horn fills three of the poem’s most poignant laisses (lines 1753–95), and follows two lengthy scenes in which brave Roland and wise Oliver debate whether it is proper for Roland to blow his horn to call back Charlemagne, first when the enemy has been spotted but the battle has not yet begun (lines 1049–1109), later when all but a handful of the French have been killed (lines 1691–1736). See the discussion in the General Introduction, p. 14.

2300 wytherlyngges. “enemies.” See MED witherling (n.), a word derived from Old English wiþer, meaning “hostile, adverse, fierce; contrary, opposite, wrong” (OED wither (adj.), senses A1, A2). Compare MED wither-wine (n.), often used as an epithet for Satan, and wither-iwinne (n.), “adversary.” The word in this form is rare, but it appears twice in OR, here and at line 2649.

2326–49 Tho he bygan . . . . hys thought. On Roland’s address to Durendal and his unsuccessful attempt to break it so as to keep the sword out of Saracen hands, see the Song of Roland, lines 2297–2354. On a local legend that Durendal survives, and is now embedded in a wall in a chapel in Rocamadour, France, see the note to line 183 above.

2356 the temple and hys vayne. Roland blows his horn so loudly that his temples burst. This scene is one of the most famous moments in the Song of Roland (lines 1753–95, especially 1761–64). See the note to lines 2252–53 above.

2377 Rowlond. The large red initial R of this word opens this mid-stanza line. It marks a major moment in OR: Roland’s death scene. See the discussion of the initials in the General Introduction, p. 23.

2425–42 Jhesu that syttyth . . . . for the stedfastnesse. For an alternate account of Roland’s final prayer, see the Song of Roland, lines 2369–72 and 2384–88.

2446–57 Ayngelys . . . . Roulondys soule bare. Here Roland’s soul is carried to paradise by sixty-seven angels, under the leadership of the angels Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. In the Song of Roland, Roland’s soul is borne to paradise by just three angels: his “angel Cherubin,” Saint Michael of the Peril, and Saint Gabriel (lines 2390–96).

2503–38 With dwele . . . . Godys knyght. On Charlemagne’s grief at seeing the bodies of Roland and the dead French soldiers, see the Song of Roland, lines 2398–2414 and 2855–2944.

2527–38 Sampson . . . . Godys knyght. In praising Roland, Charlemagne makes comparison to three biblical figures. Samson was renowned for his strength (Judges 13–16); David (to whom Charlemagne compares himself) was famous for his grief upon the death of his son Absalom (2 Kings 18:33); Judas Maccabeus fought successfully against the Seleucid empire that had been occupying Israel (1 Maccabees 3–9). Medieval thought imagined Nine Worthies who represented the most valiant men of the Pagan, Judaic, and Christian eras. David and Judas Maccabeus were two of the Three Jewish Worthies, and Charlemagne one of the Three Christian Worthies.

2543 There nys no bote of mannys deth. Proverbial. See Whiting D78.

2584 Goddys mounde. The reference is to Calvary, the hill upon which Jesus was crucified. See Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33; and John 19:17.

2587–664 Here bygynnyth . . . . uppon the grounde. Fitt 9 tells of Charlemagne’s battle against Belyngas (the sultan of Persia) and Perigon (the sultan of Babylon). Otinel slays Perigon, while Turpin and Charlemagne join to kill Belyngas. The brief encounter bears little resemblance to the second battle in the Song of Roland (lines 2974–3647), wherein Charlemagne’s forces defeat a mighty multinational army brought to Spain by Baligant (the emir of Babylon). When Charlemagne and Baligant meet in single combat, the emir staggers Charlemagne with a weighty blow. The emperor recovers and kills Baligant after the angel Saint Gabriel asks Charlemagne, very simply, what he is doing (line 3611).

2594 Sadrak. An unidentified river-name, said to be two miles from Zaragoza. The river that flows through Zaragoza is the Ebro.

2605 Too thowsand of Percyans. Here, the OR poet counts two thousand Persians, while line 2614 reads “Two hundred of Percy.” One line would seem to be in error.

2606 Affricans. The references to Africans and Persians reflect the inclusion among the Saracen armies of people of color from distant lands, further emphasizing the Otherness of the enemies of Christendom.

2649 wytherlynges. See the note to line 2300 above.

2652 fyndes lemes. See the note to line 2187 above.

2668 mowntans. Not to be confused with “mountain,” MED mountaunce (n.), sense 1b means a “length of time.”

2680–754 Forsothe . . . . muche myssaunter. After Turpin and Turry accuse Ganelon of treason and Ganelon denies the allegation, Turry defeats him in a brief single combat on the battlefield in which Roland lies dead. Ganelon is then hung and drawn, in a gruesome scene. In the Song of Roland, the judicial combat takes place not at Roncevaux but at Charlemagne’s court in Aix-la-Chapelle, and the episode is long and complicated. Ganelon insists that he is not a traitor against Charlemagne, but has simply avenged himself against Roland, who had shamed him in public. When Ganelon’s mighty kinsmen Pinabel steps forward on his behalf, Charlemagne’s barons are cowed, and the only man willing to stand against him is an inexperienced knight, Thierry. Thierry’s victory over the much stronger Pinabel carries political significance: not only is Ganelon drawn and quartered as befits a traitor, but thirty kinsmen who had supported him are hung. On the trial and punishment of Ganelon, see the Song of Roland, lines 3735–3974.

2688 withclepyth. “accuses.” See MED withclepen (v.), sense c, which cites this line.

2693 Thowe lyxt. “You lie.” Lyxt (“liest”) is the second-person present tense of MED lien (v.2), sense 2a.

2759 murre and baune. The fragrant ointments with which Roland’s body is anointed are reminiscent of the exotic “spices, and balm, and myrrh” carried by the Ismaelite merchants to whom Joseph is sold by his brothers (Genesis 37:25); and also of the “gold, frankincense, and myrrh” brought by the Magi as gifts to the newborn Jesus (Matthew 2:11).

2785–90 Here endeth . . . . wythoute bale. The closing stanza unites the two parts of OR by naming Otuel, Roland, Oliver, and the twelve peers, and praying that Jesus may bring them and ourselves (the readers) to bliss.

Explicit Amen quod J. Gage. The explicit has been interpreted as the scribe’s (not the poet’s) signature. The final word is smudged, but in the British Library Catalogue “Explore Archives and Manuscripts” description of the Fillingham manuscript it is read as “Gage” (“Additional MS 37492”), viewable at searcharchives.bl.uk (search term “Additional MS 37492”). See also O’Sullivan, Firumbras and Otuel and Roland, p. 146.

ABBREVIATIONS: MS: London, British Library MS Additional 37492 (Fillingham), fols. 30v–76r; O: Otuel and Roland, ed. O’Sullivan, in Firumbras and Otuel and Roland, pp. 59–146.

2 worchyp. So MS. O: worchype.

8 Ellipses have been added because the rhyme scheme indicates that a line is missing. There is no break in the MS.

11 do. So MS. O: tho.

16 Rowlond. So MS. O: Rowland.

19 Emon. So MS. O: Emoun.

24 Albene. So MS. O: awbane.

28 O inserts a blank line here though no line is missing in the manuscript.

30 dere. So MS. O: der.

42 syght. So MS. O: fyȝt.

66 Charlyon. So MS. O: Charlyoun.

69 renon. So MS. O: renoun.

81 tylle. So O. MS: stylle.

92 Ere. So MS. O: Or.

116 grylle. So MS. O: yvylle.

121 Mahon. So MS. O: Mahoun.

122 Platon. So MS. O: Platoun.

123 fayn. So MS. O: fayne.

125 thay. So MS. O: day.

129 lastyd. So MS. O: lastyth.

139 Charlyon. So MS. O: Charlyoun.

140 Mahon. So MS. O: Mahoun.

152 Has don. So MS. O: Don.

172 wordy. So MS. O: worthy.

176 thede. So MS. O: dede.

195 O inserts a blank line here though no line is missing in the manuscript.

207 Mahon. So MS. O: Mahoun.

213 Mahon. So MS. O: Mahoun.

215 deme. MS: dene. O: thone.

222 comaunded. So MS. O: commaunded.

228 syght. MS, O: fyȝt.

252–69 Folio in MS is torn, which has corrupted the text.

293 Tha. So MS. O: That.

311 schon. So MS. O: schone.

333 sayth sure the bok. MS, O: sayth the bok sure.

367 The. So MS. O: tho.

370 The. So MS. O: tho.

383 fettyn. So MS. O: settyn.

384 fayle. MS, O: fable. Emended for rhyme.

400 heued. So O. MS: houed.

419 foo. So MS. O: foe.

455 foeld. So MS. O: feeld.

465 sede. So MS. O: dede.

486 thonkyth. So MS. O: thonkyd.

497 Dronke. So MS. O: Drouke.

506 do. So MS. O: tho.

507 lyght. So MS. O: hyȝt.

509 cristen. So MS. O: cristene.

532 Efte. So MS. O: Erste.

553 holme. So MS. O: helme.

559 Rouland. So MS. O: Roulond.

560 Sarisin. So MS. O: sarsin.

576 fyght. So O. MS: syȝt.

580 drewe. So MS. O: threwe.

610 an answere. So MS. O: andswere.

615 woman. So MS. O: womman.

624 yslowe. So MS. O: y-slawe.

640 Charles. So MS. O: Charlys.

646 the₁. So MS. O: tho.

676 thay. So MS. O: day.

686 Two ferdales. So MS. O: To Vergels.

697 sojourned. MS: sorourned. O: soiourned.

706 goode wede. So O. MS: wys, struck through, is placed between goode and wede.

714 hedynesse. So MS. O: hethynesse.

763 Askeward. So O. MS: Asterward.

781 Denys. So MS. O: danys.

794 cours to. So MS. O: cours he to.

796 The schaft was strong and the heued brod. In MS and O, this line is broken into two lines between strong and and. Metrically, it should be a single line, so I have combined it.

801 Non. So MS. O: No.

803 yet. MS, O: ȝyt.

822 overdrew. So MS. O: over threw.

843 Smertilyche. So MS. O: Smertelyche.

856 do. So MS. O: tho.

871 yendyrward. So MS. O: ȝenderware.

875 ower. So MS. O: ewer.

880 tabeures. So MS. O: taboures.

881 chynoures. So MS. O: chymours.

882 afryght. MS, O: aflyght.

891 Assaylethen. So MS. O: Assayleden.
elthe. So MS. O: elde.

913 de. So O. MS: and.

928 do. So MS. O: tho.

976 de. So MS. O: the.

980 hys. So MS. O: his.

982 wroth. MS, O: vroth.

1001 had. So MS. O: hath.

1015 do. So MS. O: tho.

1033 do. So MS. O: tho.

1052 hys_{1, 2}. So MS. O: ys_{1, 2}.

1060 Olyver. So MS. O: Olyuere.

1061 everchon. So MS. O: euerchone.

1065 hedyn. So MS. O: hethyn.

1068 Yet. MS, O: ȝyt.

1070 fone. So MS. O: sone.

1073 enthyng. So MS. O: endyng.

1084 overdrew. So MS. over threw.

1087 Langares. So MS. O: langars.

1130 rwed. So MS. O: rived.

1164 thynketh. So MS. O: thynkyth.

1176 God. So MS. O: good.

1177 Otul. So MS. O: Otuel.

1219 hem. So MS. O: hym.

1232 warlok. MS, O: garlok.

1237 fettan. So MS. O: fetton.

1246 Twe hethe. So MS. O: Two of þe.

1252 That. So MS. O: Than.

1266 launce. So O. MS: saunce.

1272 of myschaunce. So MS. O: of my myschaunce.

1283 dretest. So MS. O: thretest.

1290 hedynesse. So MS. O: hethynesse.

1294 dare. So MS. O: þare.

1311 to. So MS. O: he.

1337 drydde. So MS. O: þrydde.

1339 Eve. So MS. O: ous.

1347 low. MS, O: lew.

1360 Syr. So MS. O: Syre.
over. So MS. O: on.

1411 stete. So MS. O: stede.

1420 sought. So MS. O: fouȝt.

1432 helmes hauberk. So MS. O: helmes and hauberk.

1462 wytnessed. So MS. O: wytnesseth.

1475 had. So MS. O: hath.
yschave. MS: extra minim struck out.

1486 ne₂. So MS. O: the.

1501 Ellipses have been added because the rhyme scheme indicates that a line is missing. There is no break in the MS.

1508 haberjon. So MS. O: haberioun.

1511 thee. So O. MS: tho.
syde. So MS. O: sythe.

1529 thonkyth. So MS. O: thonkyd
day. So MS. O: thay.

1537 had. So MS. O: hath.

1546 doume. So MS. O: domne.

1564 ycristeneth. So MS. O: ycristened.

1590 eld. So MS. O: old.

1597 barones. So MS. O: borones.

1598 Lorthynges. So MS. O: lordynges.

1609 fer. So MS. O: for.

1615 pryketh. So MS. O: prykyng.
beforn. So MS. O: before.

1615–16 An unknown number of folios are missing.

1648 blode. So O. MS: blede.

1678 enthyng. So MS. O: endyng.

1698 Alle. So MS. O: All.

1702 the. So O. MS: the the.

1714 neghhode. So MS. O: neȝhede.

1734 swyde. So MS. O: swythe.

1750 that. So MS. O: thay.

1783 wyss. So MS. O: wysser.

1803 banerer. So MS. O: banere.

1809 Charlys by. So MS. O: Charlys swore by.

1823 tho. So MS. O: thon.

1849 Ellipses have been added because the rhyme scheme indicates that a line is missing. There is no break in the MS.

1868 othyr. So MS. O: othyyr.

1874 He sende. So MS. O inserts that at the start of the line.

1893 de. So MS. O: ded.

1925 hys saum fayle. So MS. O: hys barownes saumfayle.

1928 And was. So MS. O: And hyt was.

1939 parteth. So MS. O: parted.

1955 stabeleth. So MS. O: stabeled.

1967 Yver. So MS. O: yuner.

1968 comaund. So MS. O: comaunded.

2010 Of knyghtes grete. So MS. O: knyȝtes off grete.

2026 dwelleth. So MS. O: dwelled.

2057 Bathe. So MS. O: Bothe.

2082 a. So MS. O: as.

2108 bodyes. So O. MS: bedyes.

2138 peces. So MS. O: peses.

2153 fyn. So MS. O: fyne.

2174 also. So MS. O: al to.

2176 do. So MS. O: tho.

2192 bode. So MS. O: bothe.

2194 blynth. So MS. O: blynd.

2196 leythen. So MS. O: leyde.

2197 evermore. So O. MS: neuer more.

2198 brod. So O. MS: bred.

2210 whom. So MS. O: when.

2212 bode. So MS. O: bothe.

2218 Ellipses have been added because the rhyme scheme indicates that a line is missing. There is no break in the MS.

2231 fer. So MS. O: ser.

2233 yhongeth. So MS. O: y-honged.

2241 drydde. So MS. O: thrydde.

2242 gooth. So MS. O: good.

2245 resteth. So MS. O: rested.

2247 of hys. So MS. O: wythys.

2249 hem. So MS. O: hym.

2252 schylle. So MS. O: schrylle.

2255 yslowe. So MS. O: yflowe.

2265 Sey. So MS. O: bey.

2295 theleth. So MS. O: deled.

2310 that. So MS. O: than.

2345 graveth. So MS. O: graued.

2367 dare. So MS. O: thare.

2407 Deth. So MS. O: Ded.
sayd. So MS. O: sayth.

2410 com. So MS. O: cam.

2423 Loketh. So MS. O: loked.
hene. So MS. O: heuene.

2430 there. So MS. O: dere.

2464 hym. So MS. O: hem.

2486 Angls. So MS. O: Angels.

2557 ther. So O. MS: word obscured by a blot of ink.

2558 waketh. So MS. O: waked.

2561 lyght. MS: lyȝt. O: hyȝt.

2596 Saragon. So MS. O: Saragone.

2612 do. So MS. O: tho.

2613 had. So MS. O: hath.

2647 Of. So MS. O: Off.

2649 Of. So MS. O: Off.

2655 Suffreth dere. So MS. O: Suffred there.

2662 thay. So MS. O: they.

2674 do. So MS. O: tho.
blyde. So MS. O: blythe.

2675 thonketh. So MS. O: thonked.

2676 hath. So MS. O: had.

2681 had. So MS. O: hath.

2682 had ryght. So MS. O: hath dyõt.

2688 withclepyth. So MS. O: with-clepyd.

2700 Byhonged. So MS. O: Be honged.
trawe. So MS. O: drawe.

2713 schylde. So O. MS: chylde.

2760 othour. So MS. O: odour.

2771 everychon. So MS. O: everychone.

2778 were. So MS. O: they were.