OF THE PUNISHMENT OF GANELON
The King sent messengers to all parts of his dominions, bidding all
the judges learned in the law come to him at his palace at Aachen.
So the judges came as he commanded, and were gathered together on the
Feast of St. Silvester, which was the last day of December. When
they were all assembled he bade the Serjeants fetch Ganelon out of
his prison, and bring him before the judges. When they had done
this, the King said, "My Lords, I would have you judge this man
Ganelon. He came with me when I went with my army to the land of
Spain; he has robbed me of twenty thousand men of France; he has
robbed me of Roland my nephew, whom we shall see no more, and of
Oliver the courteous knight, and of the Twelve Peers of France--and
all this he has done for the sake of money."
"It is true," said Ganelon; "may a curse fall on me if I deny it.
But listen; Roland did me wrong in the matter of gold and silver.
Therefore I sought to revenge myself upon him; and I compassed his
death. That I confess; but I deny that I wrought any treason." So
Ganelon spake, as he stood before the King. He was of a fair
presence, and had been a noble knight if only he had been true of
heart.
Ganelon spake again, saying, "I beseech you, my lords, to hear my
defence. When I was in the King's army I served him loyally and
well. But my nephew Roland cherished in his heart a great hatred of
me, and would have done me to death. Did he not bring it about that
I was sent on an embassy to King Marsilas? If I escaped, it was of
my own contriving. Thereupon I bade defiance to Roland and to Oliver
and to all his company, as the King and all here present will bear
witness. This was revenge, I confess, but I affirm it was not
treason."
Now there had come to the support of Ganelon thirty men of his
kindred, of whom the chief was a certain Pinabel. A great orator was
this Pinabel, when there was need of pleading a cause, and a good
soldier also, when there was need of arms. To him said Ganelon, "I
trust in you, and you only; you can deliver me from dishonour and
death." "You shall have a champion," answered Pinabel; "the first
man that shall pronounce against you the sentence of death, to him
will I give the lie with the edge of this sword." Thereupon Ganelon
fell at his feet and thanked him.
A great company from many regions were gathered together to the King
at Aachen; men from Saxony and from Bavaria, and from Poitou,
Normans, and French, and Germans from beyond the Rhine. And of all
none had more favour for Ganelon than the barons of Auvergne. "Let
the matter rest where it is," said they. "We will beseech the King
to show mercy to Ganelon. Roland is dead, and all the gold and
silver in the world will not bring him back. As for fighting, it is
sheer folly." To this all the barons agreed--all save one, Thierry,
to wit, that was brother to Geoffrey of Anjou. Thereupon the barons
of Auvergne went to the King and said, "Sire, we beseech you, to hold
the Count quit of this charge. Henceforth he will serve you with all
good faith and loyalty. Suffer him to live, for he is a nobleman.
As for Roland, he is dead and neither gold nor silver will bring him
back." "You are nothing but traitors, all of you!" cried the King in
great anger. But when he saw how the barons favoured these words, he
was greatly troubled. Thereupon Thierry, that was brother to
Geoffrey of Anjou, stood before him, and said, "Trouble not yourself,
my good lord. Beyond all doubt, this Ganelon is a traitor. Though
Roland may have done him wrong, for your sake he should have suffered
him to go unscathed. Therefore I pronounce sentence of death upon
him, that he be hanged by the heels till he die, and that they throw
his carcase to the dogs. This is the just punishment of traitors.
And if any kinsman of his say me nay, then will I give him the lie
with the edge of the sword." So spake the Count Thierry, and all the
men of France cried with one voice, "It is well said."
Pinabel, when he heard these words, came near to the King. "Sire,"
said he, "bid them cease from this clamour. The Count Thierry has
given his judgment; I, for my part, say that he has lied. Let us put
the matter to the trial of the sword." "So be it," answered the
King; "but I must have hostages." Thereupon thirty kinsmen of the
Count offered themselves. And the King, on his part offered hostages
also.
First the two champions made confession and received absolution.
Also they gave great alms to the poor. After this they armed
themselves for the battle. There is a great plain near to the city
of Aachen; on this the two champions met to do battle, the one for
the good name of Roland and his comrades, the other for Ganelon.
First they charged with their spears in rest. So equally matched
were they that neither gained any advantage in the encounter. The
spurs of both were broken; the corslets of both were broken through,
and the belts of the horses were so torn that the saddles turned in
their place. So the two champions were unhorsed. Quickly did they
leap to their feet, and fall to with their swords. Mighty blows did
they both deal, and the men of France were in great fear. Then
Pinabel cried aloud, "Take back your words, Count Thierry, I will be
your friend and comrade, and divide my wealth with you, if only you
will make Ganelon friends with the King." "Far be it from me!"
answered Thierry. "Never will I do such a thing. God shall judge
between us." After a while he spake again; "Pinabel, you are a true
knight, strong, and of a noble presence, and all men know your
courage. Have done with this battle. I will make peace between you
and the King. As for Ganelon, let him have his deserts." "God
forbid," answered Pinabel, "that I should desert my kinsman." So the
champions turned again to the duel. First Pinabel struck a mighty
blow, and wounded Thierry on the right cheek, coming near to slay him
outright. But God preserved him, for was he not champion of the
right! Then Thierry, in his turn, smote his adversary. On the
helmet fell the blow, cleaving it in twain, and the skull beneath, so
that the man's brain was scattered on the earth.
Then came the punishment. The King asked, "What shall we do with
those that pledged themselves for the traitor's innocence?" "Let
them be hanged," answered the nobles. And this was done. As for
Ganelon, they lashed his limbs to four horses, so that he was torn
into four pieces. This was the end of the traitor.