Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Huon of Bordeaux explained
Charlemagne, feeling the burden of age, proposes to abdicate in favor of his sons Charlot and Lewis, but the barons oppose this due to Charlot's infamous character.
What happens
Charlemagne, feeling the burden of age, proposes to abdicate in favor of his sons Charlot and Lewis, but the barons oppose this due to Charlot's infamous character. Amaury of Hauteville, a secret partisan of Charlot, suggests that Charlot be given the duchy of Guienne, whose young duke Huon has not yet paid homage. Duke Namo advises summoning Huon and his brother Girard to court. The Duchess of Bordeaux prepares her sons, who visit the Abbot of Cluny en route. Amaury and Charlot ambush the brothers in the wood of Montlery; in the ensuing fight, Huon kills Charlot in self-defense. Amaury falsely accuses Huon of murder, but Huon challenges him to a judicial combat. Huon defeats Amaury, who treacherously stabs him after begging mercy, leading Huon to kill him. Despite Huon's acquittal, Charlemagne, still grieving, imposes harsh conditions for pardon: Huon must go to the Sultan Gaudisso's court, behead the most illustrious guest, kiss the princess three times, and demand the Sultan's white beard hairs and four grinders. Huon accepts and, after intercessions, agrees to first seek absolution from the Pope in Rome.
Themes in this chapter
Jealousy and Revenge
Amaury's resentment against the house of Guienne and his plot with Charlot to kill Huon and Girard out of revenge and greed.
Heroism and the Quest
Huon's acceptance of Charlemagne's dangerous conditions, setting out on a perilous quest to the Sultan's court.
Fate and Free Will
Huon's choices in the ambush and combat, contrasted with the predetermined conditions imposed by Charlemagne.
Characters to notice
- Charlemagne
Aged emperor who proposes abdication, is partial to his son Charlot, and imposes harsh conditions on Huon for the death of Charlot.
- Charlot
Infamous eldest son of Charlemagne, known for falsehood and cruelty; ambushes Huon and is killed in the fight.
- Huon of Bordeaux
Young Duke of Guienne, brave and loyal; kills Charlot in self-defense, defeats Amaury in combat, and accepts Charlemagne's perilous conditions for pardon.
- Amaury
Cousin of Ganelon, secret partisan of Charlot; falsely accuses Huon of murder, is defeated in combat, and treacherously stabs Huon before being killed.
- Duke Namo of Bavaria
Wise counselor to Charlemagne; advises summoning Huon to court, stops Charlemagne from rashly killing Huon, and supports the judicial combat.
- Abbot of Cluny
Brother of the late Duke Sevinus, uncle to Huon and Girard; offers to fight Amaury, prays for Huon, and intercedes for leniency.
- Girard
Younger brother of Huon; accompanies him to court and is wounded by Charlot during the ambush.
Key passages
“When Charlemagne grew old he felt the burden of government become heavier year by year, till at last he called together his high barons and peers to propose to abdicate the empire and the throne of France in favor of his sons, Charlot and Lewis.”
As Charlemagne aged, ruling became increasingly difficult, so he summoned his nobles to suggest stepping down and giving the crown to his sons Charlot and Lewis.
Sets up the political conflict and Charlemagne's partiality to Charlot.
“The brave and loyal Huon, at these words, put his sword under his left arm, and stretched out his right to raise the prostrate man, who seized the opportunity to give him a thrust in the side.”
Trusting Amaury's plea for mercy, Huon sheathed his sword and reached out to help him up, but Amaury treacherously stabbed him.
Highlights Amaury's deceit and Huon's honor.
“You shall go immediately to the court of the Sultan Gaudisso; you shall present yourself before him as he sits at meat; you shall cut off the head of the most illustrious guest whom you shall find sitting nearest to him; you shall kiss three times on the mouth the fair princess, his daughter, and you shall demand of the Sultan, as token of tribute to me, a handful of the white hair of his beard, and four grinders from his mouth.”
Charlemagne orders Huon to travel to Sultan Gaudisso's court, behead the chief guest at the Sultan's table, kiss the princess three times, and demand the Sultan's white beard hairs and four teeth as tribute.
The impossible conditions that define Huon's quest.
