# Rinaldo and Bayard explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

Charlemagne, grieving the loss of his knights at Roncesvalles, is again misled by his son Charlot into persecuting Rinaldo and his brothers, who flee to Montalban. After a siege, Rinaldo loses his horse Bayard to thieves, but his cousin Malagigi, disguised as a beggar, helps him recover the horse and rescue his brothers through a clever ruse at a court festival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hospitality and Its Violation

Charlemagne's betrayal of trust and the persecution of Rinaldo and his brothers violate the bonds of feudal hospitality.

### Heroism and the Quest

Rinaldo's quest to recover Bayard and rescue his brothers exemplifies the heroic journey.

## Character check-ins

### Rinaldo of Montalban

The paladin who loses his horse Bayard and later recovers it with Malagigi's help.

### Malagigi

Rinaldo's cousin, a magician who disguises himself as a beggar to aid Rinaldo.

### Charlemagne

King who grieves Roncesvalles and is swayed by his son Charlot to persecute Rinaldo.

### Charlot

Charlemagne's unworthy son who influences the king to act cruelly.

### Bayard

Rinaldo's famous horse, stolen and later recovered.

## Key lines

> Rinaldo and his brothers, for some slight offence to the imperious young prince, were forced to fly from Paris, and to take shelter in their castle of Montalban; for Charles had publicly said, if he could take them he would hang them all.

Rinaldo and his brothers fled to Montalban after offending Prince Charlot, as King Charles threatened to hang them.

_Sets up the conflict between Rinaldo and Charlemagne._

> Bayard meanwhile got loose, and strayed away where the grass tempted him. Just then came along some country people, who said to one another, 'Look, is not that the great horse Bayard that Rinaldo rides? Let us take him, and carry him to King Charles, who will pay us well for our trouble.'

While Rinaldo slept, Bayard wandered off and was captured by peasants who brought him to King Charles for a reward.

_Key event leading to Rinaldo's despair._

> When Rinaldo heard that he stayed his hand, and gazed doubtingly on the old man, who now threw aside his disguise, and appeared to be indeed Malagigi.

Rinaldo stopped his attack when the beggar revealed himself as his cousin Malagigi.

_Reveals Malagigi's magical disguise and plan._

> When Rinaldo remarked that he was not carefully watched, he spoke to the horse, and touched him with the spurs. Bayard knew that his master was upon him, and he started off upon a rapid pace, and in a few moments was a good way off.

Rinaldo spurred Bayard and escaped swiftly once he was mounted and unguarded.

_Climax of the ruse; Rinaldo recovers Bayard._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/rinaldo-and-bayard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters