THE TWELVE PEERS
The names of the Twelve Peers are listed in seven texts from different periods.
1. Song of Roland
11th century French chanson de geste about Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778.
The Twelve Peers according to Song of Roland:
Roland, Olivier, Gérin, Gérer, Bérenger, Otton, Samson, Engelier, Ivon, Ivoire, Anséis, Girard
2. Karlamagnus Saga (Charlemagne's Saga)
Late 13th century Norse prose compilation and adaptation of the Old French chansons de geste dealing with Charlemagne and his paladins.
The Twelve Peers according to Karlamagnus Saga:
Roland, Olivier, Gérin, Gérer, Bérenger, Otton, Samson, Engelier, Ivon, Ivoire, Turpin, Gautier
3. Gui de Bourgogne (Guy of Burgundy)
13th century chanson de geste that is situated before the Battle of Roncevaux and begins with Charlemagne's decision to extend his long campaign in Spain before focusing on his attempts to capture five Saracen-held cities. Of particular interest are the intergenerational relationships between the infamous twelve peers and their hitherto unknown sons, who go to seek their absent fathers and are led by the newly crowned King of France, Gui de Bourgogne.
The Twelve Peers according to Gui de Bourgogne:
Roland, Olivier, Bérenger, Otton, Samson, Ivon, Ivoire, Thierri, Naime, Ogier, Richard, Haton
4. Weihenstephan Chronicle
15th century Bavarian prose chronicle in Early Modern German that combines a world history with an extensive fantastic life of Charles the Great.
The Twelve Peers according to Weihenstephan Chronicle:
Roland, Olivier, Bérenger, Samson, Engelier, Ivon, Anséis, Turpin, Thierri, Hatton, Guillame, Geoffroi
5. Otinel
Late 12th or early 13th century Anglo-Norman chanson de geste that recounts the deeds of its titular hero, a young Saracen knight who converts to Christianity, fights nobly against the pagans (including some relatives), and marries Charlemagne’s daughter.
The Twelve Peers according to Otinel:
Roland, Olivier, Gérin, Otton, Engelier, Anséis, Girard, Turpin, Naime, Ogier, Estout, Bertoloi
6. The Pilgrimage of Charlemagne (The Voyage to Jerusalem)
12th century Old French chanson de geste dealing with a fictional expedition by Charlemagne and his paladins to Jerusalem and Constantinople where they meet the Byzantine Emperor Hugo. In Constantinople, Charlemagne and his companions drink too much and boast of their extraordinary abilities. Olivier says he can sleep with Hugo's daughter a hundred times during a single night, Turpin claims he can juggle apples while standing with each leg on a different running horse, and so forth.
The Twelve Peers according to The Pilgrimage of Charlemagne:
Roland, Olivier, Gérin, Bérenger, Turpin, Naime, Ogier, Guillame, Bernard, Ernaud, Aymer, Bertrand
7. Fierabras
12th century Old French chanson de geste that tells the story of the Saracen king Balan and his giant son Fierabras who return to Spain with Holy Relics taken from Saint Peter's in Rome. Once defeated, the giant converts to Christianity and joins Charlemagne's army. Floripas, Fierabras' sister, falls in love with Gui de Bourgogne.
The Twelve Peers according to Fierabras:
Roland, Olivier, Thierri, Naime, Ogier, Richard, Geoffroi, Bérard, Gillimer, Aubri, Basin, Guy of Burgundy
1. Roland [F] [GB] [KS] [O] [PC] [SR] [WC]
2. Olivier [F] [GB] [KS] [O] [PC] [SR] [WC]
3. Gérin [KS] [O] [PC] [SR]
4. Gérer [KS] [SR]
5. Bérenger [GB] [KS] [PC] [SR] [WC]
6. Otton [GB] [KS] [O] [SR]
7. Samson [GB] [KS] [SR] [WC]
8. Engelier [KS] [O] [SR] [WC]
9. Ivon [GB] [KS] [SR] [WC]
10. Ivoire [GB] [KS] [SR]
11. Anséis [O] [SR] [WC]
12. Girard [O] [SR]
13. Turpin [KS] [O] [PC] [WC]
14. Gautier [KS]
15. Thierri [F] [GB] [WC]
16. Naime [F] [GB] [O] [PC]
17. Ogier [F] [GB] [O] [PC]
18. Richard [F] [GB]
19. Haton [GB] [WC]
20. Guillame [WC]
21. Geoffroi [F] [WC]
22. Estout [O]
23. Bertoloi [O]
24. Guillame [PC]
25. Bernard [PC]
26. Ernaud [PC]
27. Aymer [PC]
28. Bertrand [PC]
29. Bérard [F]
30. Gillimer [F]
31. Aubri [F]
32. Basin [F]
33. Guy of Burgundy [F]
[F] : Fierabras
[GB] : Gui de Bourgogne
[KS] : Karlamagnus Saga
[O] : Otinel
[PC] : Pilgrimage of Charlemagne
[SR] : Song of Roland
[WC] : Weihenstephan Chronicle
Orlando Furioso
Orlando Furioso (Roland Raging) is an epic poem completed by Ludovico Ariosto in 1532.
Picture of Ruggiero rescuing Angelica by Gustave Doré. Colorized by Vixenkitty.
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