Aspremont (chanson de geste)

The poem comprises 11, 376 verses (unusually long for a chanson de geste[3]), grouped into rhymed laisses.

In this tale, the African Saracen king Agolant and his son Aumon (Almons,[4] Eaumond[5]) invade Calabria and defy Charlemagne (Charles) through their messenger Balan (vv.

Roland captures Aumon's sword Durendal and his horse Viellantif ("Wideawake", OF: Vielantiu[6]), and his olifant (laisse 309, vv.

[10][5] In the end, Agolant dies and Charlemagne returns in triumph, although future battles with a disloyal Girart d'Eufrate are predicted.

Versions of this chanson were extremely popular in England, Italy (see the adaptation by Andrea da Barberino) and even Scandinavia.

A picture of Charlemagne embracing his nephew Roland, contained in the poem’s original document