The Days of Chivalry

In Short

This book is a comical, imaginative retelling of the Matter of France, detailing the sprawling campaigns of Emperor Charlemagne and his knights as they clash with treacherous nobles, mythical monstrosities, and Saracen armies. The narrative follows the brave paladin Roland, the traitorous Ganelon, and the bold young heroine Mitaine through tournaments, siege warfare, and magical trials. It endures because of its charming blend of high chivalric adventure, absurd humor, and memorable characters, elevated by a clever narrative voice that skewers heroic tropes while preserving the genuine heart of the original legend.

The Story

The narrative opens during the reign of the great Emperor Charlemagne, whose heroic deeds eclipse even the wildest tales of magic. Early on, the treacherous Count Ganelon of Mayence attempts to ambush a wealthy merchant caravan in the Hartz Mountains, only to blunder hilariously into a herd of swine and their armed Westphalian swineherds. Meanwhile, young Prince Murad finds himself cornered in a dark forest glade, facing nine Nubian guards while inadvertently trapped inside a den with three lion cubs. Through sheer presence of mind, Murad uses the lion whelps as weapons to scatter his human pursuers before meeting his own violent end in battle.

As conflict brews between Charlemagne’s forces and the Saracens, the giant Angoulaffre challenges the French court, insulting the Emperor himself. Oliver steps up to face the giant in single combat, braving a towering opponent whose sword strikes ring out like thunder across the lists. Through clever maneuvers, Oliver breaks the giant’s weapon belt, leading to a fierce clash that ends in victory for the Franks and heavy losses for the Saracen envoys.

Years pass, and the focus shifts to young Mitaine, daughter of Miton and Mita. Growing up under Charlemagne's watchful eye, the spirited girl proves her strength by physically tackling a unruly young monarch named Joel. When war in Spain intensifies, Roland attempts to break a months-long siege at Saragossa by hammering away at the city walls with the pommel of his legendary sword, Durandal, while Mitaine shoots down distracted sentries with her bow.

Later, four boastful French knights—Allegrignac, Porc-en-Truie, Mont-Rognon, and Maragougnia—stumble into an inn run by the cunning landlord Ali Pépé. Each knight succumbs to his own vices, leaving Allegrignac to spin outrageous tales to Charlemagne about encountering weeping dwarfs and giants to cover up his laziness.

Seeking to prove her own courage, Mitaine journeys to the Fortress of Fear. Battling illusory monsters, raging torrents, and phantom beasts, she discovers that courage and a clear conscience shatter the hold of nightmares. She liberates a host of captive spirits, leading them back to Charlemagne’s camp.

Tragedy strikes at the pass of Roncesvalles. Ganelon betrays the rear-guard, trapping Roland, Mitaine, and their companions in a deadly ambush. Mitaine fights valiantly but falls in battle, fashioning a cross from grass before she dies. Roland slays his beloved horse Veillantif to prevent its capture, tries unsuccessfully to break Durandal on the rocks, and dies lying atop his sword. Charlemagne arrives too late to save his knights, but he utterly annihilates the Saracen army, brings the tragic news home to the fair Aude, and delivers the traitor Ganelon to a shameful end.

How It Unfolds

A foolish ambush Ganelon and his band of ruffians lie in wait to plunder a wealthy trading caravan, only to foolishly charge into an oncoming herd of angry pigs and armed Westphalian swineherds.

Murad in the lion's den Trapped between nine pursuing guards and three lion whelps in a pitch-black forest, young Prince Murad hurls a lion cub at his enemies to escape the glade.

The giant’s challenge When the monstrous Angoulaffre insults Charlemagne, Oliver bravely rides into the lists, dodging massive sword strikes to disarm the giant and win a perilous duel.

A girl's bold spirit Young Mitaine demonstrates her fiery temper and physical strength by tackling a newly appointed child-king named Joel right outside Charlemagne’s window.

Breaching the walls Roland grows impatient with the long siege of Saragossa and single-handedly hammers at the city's stone walls with his sword hilt while Mitaine provides archer support.

Trapped at the inn Four greedy knights arrive at Ali Pépé's inn, where they spend a month indulging in food, sleep, and cheapness while believing their companions have perished.

Conquering the Fortress of Fear Mitaine bravely navigates terrifying storms and phantom beasts, discovering that bold action destroys the illusions of fear and frees a host of trapped souls.

Betrayal at Roncesvalles Ganelon tricks Charlemagne into leaving Roland and Mitaine to command the rear-guard, setting up a fatal Saracen ambush in the narrow mountain passes.

The last stand Mitaine dies heroically on the battlefield, while Roland slays his horse, tries to break his sacred sword against the granite, and dies victorious before Charlemagne arrives.

The People

• Charlemagne: The mighty Emperor of the Franks. He seeks to maintain order, protect his realm, and govern wisely, but he is frequently tested by treacherous vassals, stubborn knights, and tragic war losses.
• Roland: A legendary, fearless French paladin. Driven by extreme chivalric honor and an unyielding spirit, he refuses to back down from any challenge, ultimately dying atop his unbroken sword at Roncesvalles.
• Mitaine: A spirited, courageous heroine who grows up from an adventurous child into a formidable warrior. She wants to prove her valor alongside Charlemagne’s knights, successfully conquering the Fortress of Fear before meeting a tragic, heroic end.
• Ganelon: A scheming, cowardly count whose castle rests in the Hartz Mountains. Motivation by spite, greed, and jealousy drives him to repeatedly blunder his own plots before finally betraying Roland to the Saracens.
• Oliver: Roland's devoted comrade-in-arms. He desires glory and the protection of France, eagerly volunteering to face the giant Angoulaffre in single combat despite extreme physical odds.
• Ali Pépé: A shrewd, opportunistic innkeeper who manipulates four foolish French knights, lining his pockets with gold while they indulge their lazy vices.

In Its Own Voice

“Ganelon and his men had charged into the midst of an army of porkers, driven by Westphalian swineherds.”

When the treacherous Count of Mayence tries to rob a wealthy merchant caravan, his grand ambush descends into utter farce.

“This new style of projectile had a most telling effect.”

Trapped between armed guards and wild beasts, Prince Murad defends himself by picking up a live lion cub and hurling it at his pursuers.

“‘What can defend us against them?’ ‘A clear conscience and a good digestion.’”

After surviving the terrifying apparitions of the Fortress of Fear, Mitaine learns from a liberated spirit how simple virtue wards off nightmares.

What It's Really About

At its core, the narrative explores the stark contrast between true chivalry and empty pretension. Courage, loyalty, and a pure heart—embodied by figures like Roland, Oliver, and Mitaine—are portrayed as the ultimate defenses against both physical enemies and internal terrors like fear itself. Conversely, the story relentlessly lampoons greed, vanity, and cowardice, showing how corrupt men like Ganelon or the lazy knights at the inn ultimately bring foolishness or ruin upon themselves. The plot argues that while physical strength and martial glory are fleeting, steadfast virtue, faith, and duty leave an enduring legacy that outlasts even the darkest betrayals.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historic adventure soaked in dry wit and satirical humor will find this a delightful discovery. It reads less like a solemn medieval chronicle and more like a spirited fairy tale, balancing high-stakes battle scenes with comical absurdity. The text moves at a rapid pace, leaping across years and shifting effortlessly from ridiculous mishaps in rural inns to dramatic duels against giants.

While the narrative is easily accessible, readers should be prepared for period-typical depictions of religious warfare between Christians and Saracens, as well as occasional dramatic leaps in time. However, the lighthearted storytelling, vivid imagery, and memorable cast make the journey thoroughly entertaining, leaving you with a lingering appreciation for the absurd side of heroic legend.