William, Count of Orange : four Old French epics

This is a straightforward modern English prose translation of four Old French epics about the semi-historical William of Orange, who became a legendary figure supposedly at the court of Louis the Pious, the weak (and in this version foolish) son of Charlemagne. "The Crowning of Louis" tells how William defeated an attempt to depose Louis and saw him safely crowned. The second story "The Waggon Train" tells how he captured the city of Nimes from the Saracens(who did in fact invade southern France, though not as successfully as the poem implies) and won the love of the Saracen queen Orable (later Guibourg). The title refers to the well-know tactic (in both legend and history) of using soldiers hidden in wagons to get into the city. The show more third poem, "The Capture of Orange" tells how William took the city of Orange and married Guibourg after she was baptised. THe last poem, "The Song of William" tells how a new Saracen invasion killed William's gallant nephew, but William --aided by the giant servant Rainourt (a comic character) finally defeated them. All the stries have lots of vigorous (thuogh som,etimes repetitive) fighting, and this cycle has more love interest and humor than many of the chasons de geste. show less