In fase di redazione

In fase di redazione

By Leslie Zarker Morgan and Shira Schwam-Baird

1. (vv. 1-484) Introduction and creation of conflict (Laisses 1-18)
2. Introduction (1-20): In May, it’s spring (reverdie). The author is Odinel, and he tells us Charles Martel is holding court. He did evil in sending a liege man to Hell to ask for tribute so that he could have Ynide. Charles is proud since he has so many men and so many lands; has also shamed many women, so people hate him. Charles is Louis’s son.
3. Council (53-81): Charles Martel holds a council: he’d like to see who his best warriors are and keep his men in practice since ten years have passed without war. Those consulted suggest calling a special court for nobles and ladies at Pentecost. The young women can thus have marriages arranged where appropriate, and the young men can be knighted. Charles agrees and calls the court.
4. Court assembly (82-123): Many knights and nobles come; Huon comes with his wife, Ynide; Berart, his cousin; Baudoin and Thomas of Flanders, Ynide’s brothers and Huon’s brothers-in-law; Morant and Samson, his seneschals. They stay at Roland’s lodging in the St. Paul neighborhood (104 and 111). Huon feeds1000 poor people each day in addition to his own men (116).
5. The tourney (123-322): Charles calls all the men to court and announces that he will hold a tourney to keep his men in shape. After dinner on Pentecost, Berart (Huon’s man) has his men called to go to the tourney. Huon is with the king (187-88). There are 150 men with Berart. Ladies watch. Huon’s men do so well that Charles Martel is afraid. Berart holds off all comers for three days; Huon will perhaps deprive him of his kingdom (208-210). On the fourth day, the king and Huon enter the battle with 100 chosen others. Huon was not planning to fight his own men; but the king unhorses Baudoin and Thomas. When Berart and the king unhorse each other, Huon dismounts and gives his horse to the king, then gives another horse to Berart. The king, who wants to test Huon, pulls away to disguise himself and returns to attack Huon, who fights back and unhorses him. When the king’s helmet falls off, Huon realizes his error and dismounts to offer his sword to the king. He asks forgiveness and Charles apologizes to Huon, then invites him back to the castle, declaring the battle over. Charles gives gifts to the knights.
6. Fatal encounter (323-484): Charles Martel and the men go to see the queen. She requests that the streets be cleared so that the ladies might celebrate the feast day of St. Denis the next day, unimpeded. The queen wishes to invite Ynide to dinner (341) and then go to see the celebration. The procession is the next day; there is a description of the ladies. Saudin, a jongleur (court entertainer), goes to Charles who was going to nap, and suggests that they watch the procession of ladies. They disguise themselves; while watching, Charles falls in love with Ynide. He asks her for the flower she is holding. She recognizes him but pretends not to; she says she’s holding the flower for her husband since she’s married. He insists, and she offers to ask her husband. Charles then leaves and goes to his room.
7. (485-1156) Charles Martel plots with his henchmen; they carry out the plan, and Huon’s departure (Laisses 19-43)
8. Charles Martel in love (485-626; Laisses 19-24): Charles tries to figure out what to do; Huon is extremely popular. For four days he remains in his room, miserable. He finally reveals his problem to Saudin, who has him call a council of twelve counts.
9. Charles’s council’s response (627-852): The twelve counts can’t believe the situation. Saudin comes up with a plot: have Huon swear fidelity to the king first, then send him to Hell to demand tribute from Satan, and, once Huon is gone, call Ynide to court. It is done; Huon willingly swears fealty on holy relics, and then, given no alternative, agrees to carry out the mission, though he knows it is impossible. Huon commends his lands, wife and men to the king, and asks for a month to get his affairs in order before leaving.
10. Huon’s response to Charles’s command (853-903): Huon goes home and sulks. Ynide worries whether or not he knows about the king’s advances to her (872-879). Everyone wonders what is wrong; Ynide has relatives go to talk to him. He promises to tell them eventually: he calls for a court dinner at which he will reveal all.
11. Huon’s farewell party (904-1000): At dinner, Huon eats nothing, but serves everyone. He invites a traveling pilgrim in; the young man sent for the pilgrim insults him and drags him around by the hair (944), but eventually takes him into the court. When food is set before the pilgrim, Huon blesses it and the table with the pilgrim, revealed as a devil, flies out the window (976-978). As he leaves the devil predicts pain and suffering for him in the near future (end Laisse 38).
12. Revelation of mission (1001-1145): Huon eats very little, and the narrator describes his saintly life (1015-27). Then he reveals his mission to his men. Huon’s. Ynide faints and tells him that she is the cause of the problem; she tells of the flower incident (1063-85). He remembers his schooling (Cato) and gets angry; he kicks her (1095), knocking her down. He makes arrangements for her care with his relatives, especially Berart, his cousin, then goes to comfort her; he sneaks out when she’s asleep, kissing her good-bye. She calls a council together on how to prepare Auvergne: to reinforce it and store food for seven years (1153-56).
13. (1157-4664) Huon’s travels, part 1 (section 1: actual geographical places, especially pilgrimage sites) (Laisses 44-174)
14. Hungary: Huon goes to Hungary; the king offers to move against Charles Martel (1201-09), but Huon says it would be against his vows–he serves Charles Martel (1213-20).
15. Followers from home: Meanwhile, Morant (Huon’s seneschal) and his son follow Huon (1248-66).
16. Rome and the Italian Peninsula: Huon goes to the Pope at Rome (1247); he arrives there after 3½ months (1267-77). The pope confesses him, and, hearing of Huon’s mission, offers to free Huon from his vow and to excommunicate Charles Martel, but Huon refuses (1314-32). The pope counsels him to go to the Holy Sepulcher (1341) and gives him a cross with a piece of the True Cross in it (1355-57). Huon goes to Sicily (1378), Calabria (1385), and then decides to go to Athens where there are wise men (1410-11). He seeks to take passage at the port, where sailors think they see a rube with his horse (1437-40) and agree to give him berth.
17. En route to Athens: On the ship for Athens, the crew attacks Huon (1464 ff.); he subdues them but allows them to continue sailing since he doesn’t know how to navigate (1491-92). He converts the outlaw pirates and forgives them (1506 ff.); Samson with his sons Anseis and Guion accompany Huon then for a while (1606 ff.).
18. Athens: a wise man tells Huon to forget his quest (1619-37). Huon makes confession and returns to the ship with Samson and his men.
19. Holy Land: Huon leaves Athens and goes to Acre and on toward Jerusalem (1687ff). He lands at Bethlehem (Betaine) where four Christian kings are besieging Jerusalem; Henry, emperor of Constantinople (only one named) vs. the emirs of Persia, Spain and Val Cler. Huon enters the battle to assist the Christians, and they win owing to him. King Grifon offers him the kingdom of Jerusalem (1883-84). Huon weeps and identifies himself: they know his reputation and recognize that he is from the Narbonnais lineage (1934). Huon has a plan that makes the enemy surrender but will not allow any robbing as the Christians take the city (1991-2068). Huon prays in the holy sites (2178 ff.), and a holy dove appears with a letter telling him that Grifon’s son, Danfroy, should be elected king of Jerusalem (2246-57). Huon leaves once Danfroy is installed (2295).
20. Departure: Huon embarks in a boat; there is a storm (2314), leading to shipwreck (2330-36); Huon goes to explore the land while men eat on shore celebrating their safe arrival (2376 ff.). They abandon him as crazy, despite Samson’s protests (2422ff).
21. Huon’s adventures: He encounters bears (2522), a leopard (2522), and a serpent (= dragon) (2538) and does them all in; there is a storm, and he returns to find the ship gone (2627). He prays (2637 ff.).
22. Huon marooned: Huon is stuck there; there is another storm, and in another shipwreck (2695-2708), two women are cast ashore (2710). They are from Tarsia (2754); the noblewoman was on her way to be married. They are pagan, and he converts them, agreeing to escort them home (2781-96). Huon begins travelling again, with his two companions. He undergoes more perils, geographic and animal.
23. Lion companion: Huon saves a lion fighting a serpent (2867 ff.); Huon saves the lion and the women from more beasts; the lion gives homage to Huon, who medicates his wounds (3057-64). The lion accompanies them from then on (3076-77).
24. Travels with the lion: The group continues to travel, seeking a place to stay. Huon sees a cave on the other side of the water (3161) but there seems to be no way to cross. He then makes a raft with the help of his companions, and they cross (3188-3200). There is a serpent outside the cave that Huon kills (and which they together roll down the hill), only to find what turns out to be a devil inside who seems to be a holy hermit (3279-89). They leave him alone for a while, afraid of interrupting, although they can’t understand his words (3328), and the lion refuses to enter the cave. Huon finally confronts the supposed hermit with the cross he received from the pope (3357-62). He is Quilides, a demon (3383). He tells Huon what is going on at home in Auvergne, that Ynide is besieged by Charles Martel, but Huon won’t believe it (3414 ff.). Quilides tells them the way out and leaves (3441 ff.). The lion finally is willing to enter the cave (3451).
25. Departure and new Kingdom # 1: The group leaves, following the path indicated by Quilides, and come to the city of Nobie (3470). The citizens are about to burn a woman but flee before the lion (3486-87). Huon hears the story; Malancres, who has married the woman’s illegitimate half-sister, claims the land and rule (3500-3520), and has master-minded the burning. The lion continues to help by holding off attackers as they go to the pretendant. Huon confronts Malancres, challenges, defeats and kills him (3542-3620). The woman offers Huon anything, but he is not interested in the land; instead, he asks that they convert to Christianity (3675 ff.). He converts her and her people. When they return to the palace, Samson and his men have appeared (3717). Samson explains how he was forced to leave Huon by his men, and Huon forgives them all. They feast (except Huon, who consumes only bread and water). He marries one of Samson’s sons, Guion, to the lady of the country to have them rule it; they marry, and the citizens do homage (3783-89). Huon then departs with Samson and part of the men, including Samson’s other son (3802-13).
26. Kingdom # 2: The next stop is Tarsie, home of the two maidens (3840). They find the barons and people split and fighting upon their arrival; the king has recently died, and the barons want to elect new king (3858), whereas the people want a commune (3859-60). Huon silences them all with the lion’s help (3898 ff.); Huon says they must be baptized; then the shipwrecked maiden, daughter of the now-dead king, introduces herself, repeating Huon’s requirement that they convert (3921-35). Huon marries her to Samson’s other son, Anseis, and leaves. They will eventually have two sons, and the author returns to his tale (3956-61).
27. Kingdom # 3: Huon continues with Samson and lion for Cappadocia (4013). The Sultan of Persia and the Sultan of Babylonia are besieging it (4017); there are two armies fighting outside the city. Huon watches and decides to help the underdog. When one group is about to enter the city, Huon attacks them, together with Samson and the lion. Both sultans die; the townsfolk come out to help, but they are not needed. They then greet him as their hero, and since their lord is dead, they offer him the rule and anything he should want (4087-92). He declines but says they should be baptized; they accept and follow through. He leaves Samson as their ruler (4128) and leaves the lion with him as a companion (4134-37). Huon stays briefly (a month and a half), then leaves with only his horse (4234-42).
28. Land of Truth(s): Huon meets merchants on his route; they are afraid of being taken (4267). They are from Prester John’s land, “Terre de Verités” (4309). Huon asks to come along, and they agree (4326 ff.). They travel to Libie (4419); en route Huon watches the merchants and is impressed that they do not take advantage of others because there is plenty of merchandise and no one fights over it. When they arrive at Prester John’s land, the Land of Truth(s), Prester John is saying mass with royalty and church officials (4434 ff.). Huon confesses and Prester John offers also to absolve him of his promise (4484 ff.), but Huon refuses (4519-32). Prester John orders all to honor him (4544 ff.), and begs Huon to stay, offering him kingdoms and land, but Huon refuses to go back on his promise. Tadeus, Prester John’s nephew, has a ship and provender prepared for Huon’s further voyage, enough for a year (4645-53).

The poet leaves Huon here briefly to return to Auvergne (4665-68).

4. (4666-6066) Ynide’s tribulations (= insert, 32Vb – 42, end Laisses 174-235)
5. Charles Martel is advised to make his move (4669-4784): Now that Huon is gone, Charles Martel is advised to send for Ynide.
6. The ambassadors prepare for their trip; they make three stops along the way (4773-5029): Twelve nobles go to get her with ring, diadem and royal jewels. They go to Blaye (4797) and arrive at Galleris, a castle (4803). They then continue the next day to Charions Castle (4821-22) where they stock up on provisions at the advice of their host, since the land is razed to Auvergne. The host lectures them briefly about the evils of going after someone else’s wife. The ambassadors discuss this and then continue anyway. The third night, they stay in a chapel, because there is nowhere else to shelter (4917-22).
7. Ambassadors arrive at Auvergne: (4933-5273) At Auvergne, Galudins, the porter, holds them at the gate, while he checks with Ynide whether or not to allow them in. Ynide has just received word that Huon is presumed dead (4947-70). Her relatives say to let the messengers in (5009-19). Each messenger speaks to Ynide and she turns down each one (5034-5269).^[1]
8. The ambassadors are lodged and entertained (5274-5319): The messengers are taken to their lodgings (5274). They try to persuade her kinsmen to pressure her to give in and go with them, pairing off one on one. Her men return to the residence (5275-5319).
9. Ynide that evening (5320-5435): Ynide checks with her men to make sure that the ambassadors are well-housed. She then goes to her room. She is with Tobie, a young girl. She prays and beats herself with a rock until she faints (5350); finally, she falls asleep by the crucifix. Just after dawn, her father appears to her, recalls her ancestry, and tells her to hold firm (5423-27). She tries to embrace him but cannot. She tells Tobie her dream (5434-35).
10. Next morning and decisions (5436-5778): The ambassadors await her; they all hear mass together. Each ambassador offers another argument, full of literary allusions. Ynide matches them all. Saudin tries to bribe her with all the treasure that Charles has sent, including his crown and regalia (5609-37, 5663). Charles will even kill his wife and her husband should he return; he will marry her and she will be Queen (5693-5701). Ynide scolds her men for not responding, and her men and the ambassadors get ready for a scuffle. Ynide has the messengers taken into custody (5703-80).
11. Ynide holds council and decides punishment (5781-6067): Should the ambassadors be hanged or not? Her men say yes, but she is merciful: they will only be shamed. Stripped (5821), barefoot (5823), and shaved bald (5864), they are to be whipped to the river border, with most punishment going to the archbishop, Saudin and Roger (5869-70). Ynide’s men excuse themselves to the nobles when they let them go and give them letters to be presented to Charles. She’s careful to bribe the crowd so that things don’t get out of hand (5909-16); Ynide’s men stop the beating at the city limits (5968). She has the wealth divided, some to go to her barons and the rest distributed to charity (5991-95). The king’s men go through the land without food or drink, spending two nights on the road, sleeping on the ground. A storm hits, and they are thankful when they survive (6067).
12. (6068-8761) Huon’s adventures, part 2 (from exotic tourism to afterworldly tourism; Laisses 236-337)
13. Departure from Prester John’s land: Tadeus, bailiff of the town, provides Huon with a ship and tries to persuade him to leave the horse behind because of the dangerous animals. Huon is compared to Galahad (6226). He then encounters multiple challenges.
14. Initial challenges: Huon faces a storm (6255-86); a fight with two leopards (6323-43); a lioness (6347-62); and a bird attack (6377-83).
15. Three enchanted maidens (6413-6962): Three young ladies who seem to be French are singing. He returns with them to their city to meet their Queen, who wants to seduce him in return for showing him the way to Hell. He strikes himself with a stone to prevent temptation (6877-6904; cf. Ynide, 5346). He sings “Nunc dimittis,” and all the inhabitants become devils. Three angels arrive to sing and he falls asleep.
16. Evil birds (7027-7143): By the sea, harpy-like creatures attack, followed by smaller birds (7088) with poisonous bites that stink so like rotten meat that Huon vomits and can barely defend his horse (7115-30). He continues, eventually leaving his boat (7196).
17. Serpent (7212-37): A snake with a prehensile tail grabs Huon’s horse; Huon succeeds in killing it and calming his horse.
18. Race of mermen, Ocifal (7306-27): Huon comes upon a group of beings that cannot speak and have eyes that burn like flames; they are 15 feet tall and do not spend much time on land.
19. “Double” men (7349-89): These beings have two heads, two chests and are naked and barefoot. Another storm with lightening comes up, and when it stops, Huon travels on.
20. Branch of Hell (7396-7584): Huon and his horse pass a burning mountain, with souls flying around like birds. A young boy, a messenger from God, arrives to console him (7458), and reveals that the burning mountaintop which he sees is in fact a branch of Hell. Huon realizes after his departure that this was a messenger from God (7575) and castigates himself for not having realized it and honored him more.
21. Griffons, I (7627-7845): Huon rescues two griffons fighting a serpent (7627-59). In thanks they follow him and help him, such as carrying him and his horse across the river and beyond the burning riverbank (7671-76). Huon continues carrying his cross in front of him (7689-93). Huon comes to a fiery place inhabited by groups of spirits (7702), and at one point asks what is going on (7753-68); the spirits point out various figures and say he will see others: Cain, Pharaoh, Herod, Judas and Ganelon (7770-7823). Huon continues to the sea, where, caught between mountains and water, the griffons carry them across (7841-42).
22. Noah’s Ark/Tomb (7848-8272). Huon goes up a mountain, called the “arche Noëç” (Noah’s Ark OR Noah’s Tomb) in which there is a cave where three friars live (7870). They explain the site (7900-36), and then identify themselves to each other. One turns out to be his cousin; each tells his story. The brothers have been waiting for Huon’s predicted arrival (7939-8017; see family tree). They go to see Noah’s Ark, where each year Adam and Noah meet on Good Friday for an octave [sic]. When they arrive, they see all types of animals (8107), and stay up all night praying (8124). They see the Holy Fathers descend with music at dawn but Huon cannot speak to them. They go to the Holy Fathers (Noah and Adam). He tries to embrace them but cannot (8197-98). They communicate via scrolls (8204-10). They hold Communion on Easter with hosts he had received from the Pope (8234-36). He has a tour of the region, including the source of the Tigris, the fourth part of the world. Huon leaves, kissing the Ark (8272).
23. Continued travel, Limbo (8273-8422): Huon rides another half year with the griffons. After a rest, he awakens to bird song, psalms and prayers (8322). These birds are at the edge of Hell; all week, they fish but don’t catch anything. They have one day off, when they praise the Lord. They were the undecided who were only going to follow the winners in the battle against God (8344-80). The next morning, Huon leaves. As he travels, his way is blocked by darkness around the Tigris River (8409-11). He can only see for one hour; he sees a pillar decorated with marble, carved with a warning to not continue if not full of faith (8415-22).
24. Promised Land (8423-8565). Huon chastises himself as a sinner, prays, and takes the cross out again before setting off. He passes through the Promised Land (8468), with all the animals and fruits. Then two men “d’antiquités” (from antiquity or of great age) come up to him (8487-89), and they explain the Promised Land. They are the guardians. They identify themselves at his request: they are Enoch and Elijah (8511-12). They then tell him about four rivers, the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Jordan and the Pishon. He gives them the cross to kiss and they give each other communion with the hosts from Huon (8539-53). They give him three fruits from the Earthly Paradise that will not rot; he kisses the fruits and stores them away (8552-57). He arrives at a cloud bank (8561) that should prevent entry. He passes through with his cross in front of him. He spends three days and three nights travelling until he arrives at the sea (8565). The griffons frequently defend him and his horse (8571-73).
25. Further trials (8575-8761). i. A flock of birds attacks and the griffons are wounded (8591-92). ii. Wasps and horseflies attack; these kill the griffons (8618). iii. He sees huge ants, the smallest as big as a boar (8656-62); he leaves the seashore (8663). iv. A serpent at the narrowest point of the path kills his horse (8673-94). Huon throws himself down lamenting. He then prays for help from God (8729-60).
26. (8762-10670) Huon in Hell (Laisses 338-407)
27. Choice of companion (8762-9153): Huon arises from prayer and sees a figure under the trees (8767; cf. l. 937). It’s the devil in pilgrim’s clothing from 937 ff.; Huon won’t accept him as a guide. Next, an armed figure appears, ten feet tall (8867-75). It’s Aeneas. Huon won’t accept him either (summary of Aeneid, vv. 8934-41), because he betrayed the Trojans so that they were exiled. From a fountain comes a third figure, Guillaume d’Orange (baptism symbolism!), about nine feet tall; he tells his story (9044-77); he’s also a relative of Huon. He’s been sent by Roland (9109-11). Huon again attempts a futile embrace, the fourth (9131-52).
28. Entrances into Hell (9153 ff.): The travelers come to sea and a boat tied to a rock (9159-60). They embark, and it departs rapidly. It grows darker, but they have light in front of them as they go (9184-85). They come to land, where William goes first (9194). They pass through a marsh (9207 ff.), then come to a wall high as a bowshot and seemingly strong as iron. A girl holding an iron sword holding an open sheet of paper on which one can read is above it: “Franche justise contre la desmesure” (9225-36); a second gate with a red dragon crowned like a king is for Jews (9242-51); a third gate with an angry lion is for Muslims (9252-59); a fourth gate lies open from the Harrowing of Hell; it is guarded by Justice (9261-84); the fifth gate leads to Purgatory, but they will only speak of the first three (9285-88). William asks Huon which he wishes to enter. Huon holds onto William (9324, 9331). They go in the first gate, since Huon wants to see people he knows.
29. Ante-Hell (9332-88): There is noise louder than many smiths hammering (9337); these are people who were neither good nor bad but lived like beasts. At Judgment Day their pain will double. Huon asks Aeneas if he will ever be able to leave (9374-75); tears appear in Aeneas’s eyes, and Guillaume tells Huon he is rude to ask. The group passes the first tier.
30. After the first circle (9392-9417): Here, souls lie as if dead on biers/litters; wasps and creatures eat at them, but they can’t defend themselves. From underneath the litters, 30 devils spear each body; these participated in sodomy: “luxurie por Sedaine mainere.” They cry out, damning their fathers and mothers.
31. Vainglory (9423-49): A group of souls are clapping and crying, gnashing their teeth; they have blood-filled pustules under their clothes and devils beat them with cudgels. These are the vainglorious; they are partly alive and suffer partially from desire and partially from envy. Again, their pain will double after the day of judgment.
32. Avarice/greed (9451-62): Souls are tearing off their clothes; they exhibited a lack of charity- they would willingly give up all of Charlemagne’s [sic] treasure to be out of their torture.
33. Gossips and procurers (9468-7- 9575): Here, jongleurs are in muck up to their necks. They were actually spies and pimps. They are being repaid for what they did (9480).The group includes Saudin, with whom they speak. Their feet are held and scratched (9487-89) and their spines split by devils (9505). There is constant mangonel fire overhead; stones represent the news they carried between courts. Saudin tells of his role in Huon’s expedition and explains that he acted out of envie (zeal) (9546). Huon forgives him, at his request (9517-61). Saudin urges him to leave immediately to avoid being hit by fire from the mangonel (9562-64).
34. Acheron River, Charon and an archer (9594-9803): The travelers come to the River Acheron, full of vermin and serpents, and all green. There are many spirits on shore eager to cross. Charon and his boat appear (9605); Chiron (unnamed, but described as a centaur, horse below the waist, human above) stays on shore, shooting arrows at those waiting (9626). A burning arrow hits Charon’s boat, and people jump into the water and are devoured by monsters (9646-48). Charon beats those remaining in the boat with his oar (9656). He does not want to take Huon, since he’s alive (9662-63). The centaur speaks insultingly to the travelers who curse him, telling him to speak with Diomedes (9685-96). Charon returns and offers to take them (9719-22). Huon is thirsty; at William’s prompting, the devil provides wine taken from Huon’s own table before he left, unchanged in taste (9732-71). William compares this miracle to that of the afterlife and mentions Christ asking to drink on the cross
35. Clergy (9804-29): In the next valley, are clergy who taught about good to others but didn’t follow the teachings themselves.
36. First degree of the Abyss (9830-9902): The travelers enter; it grows darker as they go. It is also very loud, compared to striking rocks (9838-39). The air is filled with sighs (9841-42). They arrive in Limbo, where those born before baptism existed are to be found, even those with no sin. No punishments are visible. Aeneas makes the point that those now born who die without baptism must come there (9862-66). Huon asks whether they will do well at Last Judgment; Aeneas replies that their fate is up to God (9870-77). The Harrowing of Hell is recounted (9884-9902).
37. Otherworldly castle with seven gates (9905-25): They arrive at a castle with seven walls and seven gates. They can see Ptolemy (Tholomé), who specialized in necromancy. He and his followers study to see if they will ever leave Hell.
38. Inside the first castle gate, necromacy/magic (9927-44): They are inside with the astrologers and necromancers. Nicomacus is reproached. There is crying and quarreling, their punishment for forgetting God.
39. Inside the second gate, dialectic (9945-84): They enter through the second gate while people are calling Nicomachus. Farabus appears above the gate, and the writing that he holds says his name. He discovered dialectic and other arts. The travelers discuss learning and knowing the future. These damned know about the Last Judgment–the letters they read turn to fire and they are afraid, knowing that all will be rewarded according to their deeds. Their heads are bent over in shame. Huon and his party close the gate behind them.
40. Through the third gate (9985-89) More agony; they pass with no discussion and no label for the sin or sins.
41. Fourth gate (9990-10043) There is a deep gully and high wall with a strong gate. No one can enter easily. Handsome young people are dressed like students studying by the Seine. These are Trojans and Greeks; he will be able to tell everyone when he returns to earth that he saw the work of Hector, Achilles, Agamemnon and other captains. They will soon see Aristotle. Among the armed men, Huon says that this is where he would choose to be if he had to come below. A spirit wants to talk upon hearing this, but another soul knocks him down (10031-38); William rebukes Huon for continuing to watch (10043).
42. Chanson de geste figures (10044-79): They continue wandering. Among others whom they meet is Aiglentine, who killed her husband, Guy de Nanteuil; in Hell, he chases her endlessly.
43. “Saracens” from Aspremont (10080-116): Huon sees many crowned figures fighting. Aeneas explains that these are “Saracens” who think they are still fighting Christians. The kings who fought at Aspremont are there. Aeneas repeats the accusation of Helmont that Roland killed him while he was asleep. Huon agrees in part, that if someone is tired they cannot properly fend off attack which might be why one says that Roland attacked when Helmont was asleep.
44. Thibaut and Guiborc, William’s story (10117-81): The travelers pass through much noise. A strong knight passes by; this is Thibaut, one of William’s enemies– he killed his brother-in-law Foucon while playing chess (10146-48). Then another woman comes by; she seems to be Guiborc. She asks William’s help (10160-63). William explains to Huon that this is just a devil in her appearance to further torture Thibaut.
45. Girart de Fraite (10192-248) Next they see a man on the balcony of a castle; it is Girart de Fraite / le Aufrates. Devils are besieging his castle. He thinks he’s fighting “Saracens.” It is his punishment for opposing Charlemagne. The travelers continue on their way; they then see that the devils have imprisoned Girart; he’s in a burning oven. He calls out to William and Huon, jeering at them for being so saintly, saying he has greater realms in Hell than they have above.
46. William acts as tour guide (10251-75) The poet explains that William wants Huon to understand and see everything so that he can recount it when he returns home.
47. Falsely humble souls (10276-99) They come across a troop of tormented souls. No one helps then when they ask for assistance. These are the hypocrites of dress; they pretended to be poor, wearing poor clothes.
48. Attempted attack of spirits (10300-322): Spirits think to do him ill; he rebukes some and others avoid him. William laughs.
49. Fifth gate (10323-57) The fifth gate is white and black and massive. There, thanks to necromancy, is housed all knowledge of the seven arts (presumably the trivium and quadrivium) that began with Tisias in his youth. They listen to the start of the chanting, with a tone like a sermon. Huon asks why these spirits are here, what he can say when he returns, that all knowledge is bad? No, says Aeneas, these did not know the true God. They thought too much. Flagiras, Ajax and Brugier, etc., are there, who were thrown down from heaven.
50. Sixth gate (10363-79) At the next gate, many spirits surround Pythagoras. They sing and dance in memory of former times; they lament their future.
51. Fiery sulfur lake (10385-463) The travelers come to a lake of sulfur and fire; there the spirits are attacked by devils. They hear lots of languages, among which is Auvergnat. Roger is there, who misadvised Charles Martel. He admits that it was betrayal against the best man on earth because of envie and to please Charles Martel. There was a group of twelve of men and the jongleur who participated in the plot; nine of the twelve are in this punishment. Huon identifies himself to Roger and renews his promise to complete his mission for Charles Martel. Roger throws himself back in the lake where a dragon eats and coal burns him and the rest of the throng.
52. Alexander and his poisoners (10464-500): Huon asks about two other souls that seem to be killing each other. These are the two poisoners of Alexander. Alexander then comes riding wanting to kill them. He keeps looking for them and not finding them, so he returns to his hostel and consults with Aristotle.

α. Traitors (10501-24) Huon then hears loud crying. He asks who is here; Aeneas first points out Judas, then Ganelon who is being torn apart tied to a horse’s tail. They are now in the depths of Hell; Cain, Ham and Pharoah are all there (10515-10524).

β. Lucifer (10525-99) Aeneas points out Lucifer (who terrifies all with his stench) and tells Huon to recount his message. Huon does so (10538-52). Lucifer replies with a threat: he will hold Huon hostage while he thinks about it. William says God forbids this and orders the Devil to give Huon the tribute. Lucifer then swears homage and offers tribute: a litter with 1000 birds on it; a crown and a ring, together with his greetings. He then tells Huon to put the ring on, but Huon refuses.

γ. Mission accomplished: the return to Auvergne (10600-70) Huon now wonders how he will get home. He is hungry – it’s been nine days since he has eaten. At William’s order, the fellow-traveler demon brings Huon the table with the food from the feast 7+ years ago; initially Huon hesitates to eat, but William assures him that his penance is completed. Huon falls asleep (10653). William has the devil carry him, tribute, table and food home so that he arrives before midnight.

7. (10671-11377) Huon returns home and takes care of business (Laisses 408-430)
8. Huon arrives home and is recognized (10671-10853): Huon awakes, initially thinks he’s still in Hell. The he realizes he’s at home hearing bells, the guards, and Ynide’s voice. He hugs Ynide while fully armed, but cannot talk to explain himself (10726), only weeps profusely (10743). She has him seized by the guards since the town is under siege by Charles Martel and she fears that he might be a spy. She looks at him closely and initially does not recognize him (10749-58). Ynide has a feeling that he might be Huon and has him disarmed to prove who he is by a wound on his shoulder that she remembers (10764-71). When she kisses him in recognition, he regains his speech (10783). He tells his story and shows them the table, food and tribute (10823-32). He then tells her to let everyone know he’s back and that he will go to Charles Martel to report on his mission. The news is announced.
9. Huon reports on his embassy (10854-991): Huon takes his relatives with him and kneels before Charles Martel. Huon summarizes his journey, but Charles does not believe him; he says he knows Huon has just been hiding all this time (10908-28). Huon has the spirit present the tribute (10936-48) and the letter from Lucifer (10954-61). Charles Martel wants to delay and think about it, but Huon has him placed on the litter (10965), sitting on the throne, with the crown on his head and the ring on his finger. Devils lift Charles on the litter and carry him away to Hell as he laments being damned (10969-91).
10. Discussion of whom to elect to replace Charles Martel and how to elect him (10992-11076): Huon notes that this is a good exemplum for those who remain to demonstrate the results of misguided behavior (10992-98). He then announces that they must decide upon a ruler (10999-11007); they nominate him, but he refuses (11009-12). They then wonder what to do and Huon proposes that Charles Martel’s daughter can be married in 1½ years to the chosen ruler when the court meets at Pentecost (11027-49). Huon wants them to select four men who will find appropriate nominees for kingship. The person cannot be married and must be noble; all agree (11054-56). They choose the four (11057-62). All of Charles’s goods are given to Huon in recompense for the waste in his land from war during his absence.
11. Huon’s reception (11077-11167): Huon and his company eat dinner together on the table from Hell; he tells the miracle of the table that had been in Hell for seven years and again summarizes his adventure, including having seen Roger and the jongleur in Hell (11099-11156). He then invites them to eat; the food is so good and plentiful that they desire nothing else (11163-67).
12. Huon at home and election of the king (11168 – 11381): Huon stays at home with his men and family until the day named for the meeting in Paris (11178-94). All are in Paris 1½ years later to elect a new king, including the pope. [Beginning line 11208, at the top of 77Vb, is a big initial and decoration at the top of the folio that runs into the first column, like a new chanson de geste.] The four electors receive two messengers; the pope reads the letters. One from Jerusalem sends word of a new Christian ruler (11270-71), thanks to Huon, and one from Prester John with word of all of Huon=s accomplishments that he learned from a dream (11282-11305). The people again say that Huon should rule, but he turns them down. The four electors read the names of possible rulers; most are from “bastardized” parts of the lineage (11340). He and Guillaume Çapet are the only possible heirs; but Huon is already married, and refuses. Guillaume is from Ganelon’s line and brave and noble (11349-56).Guillaume is married to Belisor (Charles Martel’s daughter) and crowned that day. Court is held for eight days and then all return home (11377).
13. (11378-12226) Siege of Rome and end of French as Holy Roman Emperors. Death of Huon and of Ynide (Laisses 431-461 [end])
14. Rome besieged: Pope calls for help (11382-451) One year later, Rome is attacked by Muslims (“Saracens”). Pope sends to William Capet (WC henceforth: 11400-402), who in turn sends to his barons to raise an army (11423-34). However, the nobles refuse to die for the cause (11435-40). WC is upset but sends back messengers with word that he can do nothing; he will send for Huon (11447-51).
15. The Pope requests help from the Germans (11454-11494): The Pope then sends to Germany; he will give them the crown to the Empire if they’ll help repel the “Saracens” (11454-63). The Germans are thrilled, come to Rome and take up lodging (11467-93) but don’t do anything.
16. Huon succeeds in mustering the French troops (11495-559): Meanwhile, in France, Huon shows up at WC’s court, where he hears of the disgrace (that the Germans are in Rome and the French refused to support the Pope). He is upset and promises to chase down the French who refused to rectify the situation (11514-19). Huon goes in person to collect French troops (11521), and they come with him to Paris where they stay for three days and then leave for Rome (11533-39).
17. Arrival of French in Rome and lodgings (11540-614): They arrive in Rome and find no place to stay since the Germans are everywhere (11543-45). WC asks the Pope to request that the Germans give them room (11546-50); he does but the Germans promise anything and then joke about the situation (115516-58). WC complains to Huon (11561), who says to throw the Germans out and take billets by force (11562-83). The French gleefully run through Rome putting Germans to the sword and throwing their goods into the street (11584-89). This starts a ruckus (11590-601). The pope breaks up the fight and they divide the city in two at the Tiber, Germans on one side and the French on the other (11613-16).
18. French go to battle against the Muslims (“Saracens”) (11617-820): The French and the Pope meet; they plan to go out to fight the next morning. The Pope is to tell the Germans to go out from their side. The Pope is meanwhile repenting of having called the Germans, who refuse to do anything at all. That night the French stay in Rome; the next day 5 squadrons go out to fight. The French of course carry the day, killing all those who will not convert (11802-804). The poet briefly lists their feats, including chasing down all the survivors (11805-20).
19. German activities (11821-976): The Germans had stayed in, not risking a fight. When they hear that the Muslims were defeated, they go to the battlefield and rob it, killing any wounded men left, and taking all the booty and horses; they then return to Rome (11825-33). WC is upset; they have many rich captives and some goods, but they have lost ⅓ of their men, including nobles. They return to the main battle site to find it cleaned out by the Germans (11869-70). Huon is calm and tells them to let it be, to collect and bury their men (11878-82). After four days, the Germans go to the Pope, demanding that he give them the crown of the empire, since they want to leave. They also menace the French. The pope doesn’t want to award them the crown since they didn’t fight (11895-901). They threaten a bloodbath; the French arrive and WC reminds the pope how he had been chosen by a process that included Germans (11913-31). The pope does not want to be forsworn, but the French want to keep their crown since they won the battle. The pope orders peace and then recaps the situation and asks for advice. People offers various responses (11941-976).
20. Huon’s advice and redemption (11977-12192): Huon goes into a corner and prays for advice. A heavenly voice responds, it speaks of death and honor (11996-12019). The French will still have their own king (the honor of independence), but will lose the honor of empire. Huon returns to his men, knowing he will die. He proposes that the champions from each side fight each other for the crown of Empire (12044-65). They chose 150 champions (12077). Huon is one of the chosen. All confess and are shriven by the Pope (12090). Each fights with his social equal: king against king, etc. (12111-13). Various battle details are followed (12123-126). At the end, there are three men left, Huon and two relatives (12127). The others die and Huon alone is left with his opponent, Thomas of Luxembourg. Both die, but the breath leaves Thomas last (12154-182), so the Germans get the title of Emperor though the French stay free (12187-92).
21. End of the campaign (12193-12208): The court is dissolved, and the French lament. The French return home carrying Huon’s body (12201-203). Ynide dies of grief for her lord (12204). They say Huon’s a saint, effecting many miracles (12207-208).
22. Conclusion and prayer (12212-12225) (Laisse 461): The end of the work, begun in honor of St. Augustine. The scribe ends with his name, Nicholas Trombeor, son of Master Lafranchin, the date of the writing and a prayer for his soul and a line of amens (12225).

[1] For commentary about Ynide and how she is portrayed, see Shira Schwam-Baird, “La Résistance d’Ynide dans l’épopée franco-italienne Huon d’Auvergne: femme exceptionnelle / femme admirable?,” in “Par deviers Rome m’en renvenrai errant”: Atti del XXème Congrès International de la Société Rencesvals pour l’étude des épopées romanes, Rome, Italy, 20-25 July 2015, ed. M. Careri, et al. (Rome, Viella, 2017), pp. 637-46; and Stephen P. McCormick, “‘Como fa la foja’: Versions of Female Authority in the Huon d’Auvergne Manuscript Tradition,” Italian Studies, vol. 70, no. 1, 2015, pp. 33-52.

In fase di redazione

1. Berlin, Staatliche Museen, Kupferstichkabinett, 78 D 8 (B) (olim Ms. Hamilton 337), 1341, 12224 vv. più una riga “Amen” [⇛ Description]
2. Padova, Seminario Vescovile, Cod. 32, fine XIV sec. o inizio XV sec., 117 f.,  5690 vv. (P). Manca la fine.
3. Bologna, Biblioteca comunale dell’Archiginnasio, B. 3489 (Frammento Barbieri), XIV sec., 14 f.,  1240 vv.
4. Torino, Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria, N. III. 19, 1441, 181 f., 11840 vv. più una riga di datazione (T)
5. Firenze, Biblioteca Marucelliana, Carte Rajna, XII M 101
   Trascrizione di Pio Rajna del ms. di Padova.
6. Firenze, Biblioteca Marucelliana, Carte Rajna, XIX.15
   Trascrizione di Pio Rajna del ms. di Torino.
7. localizzazione attuale sconosciuta, 161 f.: ms. del XV secolo appartenente a un libraio di Carcassonne; si veda la descrizione di Anglade (1918).

Note that illuminations are frequently divided into two parts. This allows for a “comic book” effect if desired, having two sequential events. Or it can produce a balanced and symmetrical view of a scene, with an equal numbers of figures on each side. All of the illuminations extend the width of the text on the page at the bottom in the middle of the page. It will not be commented upon further.

 

Source of [commented] descriptions: Wescher, Paul. Beschreibendes Verzeichnis der Miniaturen-Handschriften und Einzelblätter des Kupferstichkabinetts der Staatl. Museen Berlin. Leipzig: J.J.Weber,1931. pp. 68-70. Translation is mine; where there is an error, it is crossed out like this: error. Additional information appears in square brackets [ ].

 

Folio 1R is entirely illuminated.

 

Borders, fashioned from many-colored tendrils that close in on themselves in circle-like forms. In four such circles on the upper edge, (re)presentations of  love scenes ([first, to the left, Ynide with a flower, man under a tree to our right seems to be kneeling; second, man reaching with his arms around a woman; third,] [upper] right, Huon Cupid shooting love’s arrow; [four, one woman holding another, perhaps Ynide’s handmaiden holding Ynide, it is her usual dress), all on a golden background. Above, three equal escutcheons, probably those of the commissioner [of the manuscript], a Marquis of Ceva [the Gonzaga of Mantua, an early form of their stemma]. In the middle of the lower margin, in red, a silver tourney helmet wrapped in ermine in a red field held by two angels suspended [in space]. [On top of the ermine, a black cone with a spray of feather-like off-white decorations.] Left over the initial A in pale red in front of a golden, decorated background.

 

1v

Huon and his beloved, the beautiful Ynide, ride with their maisnee to Charles Martel’s celebration.

 

3r

Battle of the knights. [Fought within a ring enclosed by a wooden fence.]

 

4r

Ynide, a rose in her hand, meets the king, is accosted by the king, who is consumed with love for her, in front of the church. [Saudin is with him. She has one woman with her and three are already in the church, including an old woman.]

 

5v

The king in council. [There are two scenes, displayed together without a border in the middle: first, Saudin— in a quite fancy outfit— with three other men, in front of the king. In the second, to the right, a couple is talking, man and woman looking at each other.]

 

6r

King Charles Martel orders Huon to force Lucifer to pay tribute. [Saudin, in his distinctive outfit, is behind the edge of the throne watching. Huon has red hair and a bi-partite red beard that distinguishes him when he is not in armor.]

 

7v

The table of the king, served by a devil. Nearby Huon, hosting a pilgrim.

[Huon’s departure feast in Auvergne. Two-part scene: Huon’s men are seated at table, eating with Huon (the red beard distinguishes him). In the second scene, to the right, Huon sits with a pilgrim whom he had invited to join the feast; Huon is blessing the meal with his right hand, and the pilgrim is revealed to be a devil, flying out the window in the middle of the illustration,  off with the table where he had been eating with Huon, food intact upon it.]

 

8v

Huon kisses Ynide, sleeping in her bed, goodbye.

[Two scenes: first, Huon kicks Ynide when she has explained why Charles Martel has sent him to hell. Second is the scene is Huon’s kissing the sleeping Ynide. Note the very damaged lower margin, perhaps because of frequent use.]

 

9r

Huon rides to the King of Hungary. [Huon] refuses the king’s offer to render him assistance against Charles. [Again there are two scenes, here divided by a depiction of the city gate: first, Huon on horseback outside the city (face visible and a cloth covering pulled back over his head), and then within city in front of and speaking to the king of Hungary.]

 

10r

[Huon] kneels before the pope in Rome. [Here the illumination is in three parts: Huon’s horse waits by the door on the left, his head turned around looking backwards; Huon is kneeling, face uncovered but clearly in mailed armor under a surcoat, with golden boots; the pope is sitting facing Huon, holding a golden cross out to him.]

 

11r

[The scene is again in two parts. First, Huon, now totally armed, his face covered with a helm that has the upper half of a golden lion rampant] has to fight [the pirates who think he is crazy] on the ship on the way to Jerusalem. [Various armored and bloody men are in the water or partially in the water below the boat. A desert isle occupies the right portion of the illumination.]

 

12r

[Huon] lands near a monastery [in Athens], and speaks with a wise man. [The illustration is in three parts. First, a boat by the outer wall of a city; second, men outside the walls, including a carefully dressed burgher facing right; then inside the city, Huon, armed and sword at hand with only his face undefended and visible, and speaks with a scholar/cleric, in a beret and long robes.]

 

12v

[Huon] speaks with a shepherd [, asking about the battle he sees ongoing at the port of Jerusalem, hearing that four rulers are attacking the Christians].

 

13v

He fights front of the tower of a city [Jerusalem]. Huon’s knights wear silver arms. [Huon, on horseback, wears his helmet mounted with the top half of a golden lion. His men are on foot; the enemy soldiers have black faces; three face Huon and his men, looking left. Two seem to be re-entering the city in the final third to the right (two men with black faces are facing right; one rides on a yellow horse-cloth with red and green motifs. One unhorsed man with read across his abdomen lies in the middle of the lower part of the frame).]

 

14V

On the right, the emperor’s envoys from Jerusalem. Huon deliberates with his knights in a Turkish tent [consults with the four kings who were assaulting Jerusalem]. [In the second panel,] On the right, the messengers from the ruler (Caesar) of Jerusalem [from the victorious Christian besiegers to the porter. Once again, two separate scenes.]

 

15r

Huon [sitting with men around] receives the key to the city of Jerusalem from messengers [standing. Huon, his allies, and his men are to the left, under a tent and Saracens, and others, many in fancy headdresses, are to the right.]

 

16r

The knights [Huon and the four kings and various Franks] kneel in prayer before the Holy Sepulcher. [A dove appears above with the writing “Dan/froy / rege / fiat / 7.[upside-down triangle]. / ete^r? / e” [ete(r)oe (?)]. [Let Danfroy be king [and] …]; possibly concluding, “v[ivat] eterne” [may he live forever], with the n written around the edge of the scroll.]

 

16v

Huon travels further [leaves Jerusalem] in a sailing ship to Asia [wherever God leads him, with his entourage, Samson and his once-pirate group].

 

17v

Huon lands alone, while the ship moors on the coast. [There are two scenes in the illumination. First, a group of men in a ship, facing off to one other; it may be the crew forcing Samson to leave Huon (vv. 2466-88). In the second, Huon climbs a hill to look out and explore the region, not knowing what is going on at shore.]

 

18r

Huon [encounters and] fights with a dragon, bears, and leopards.

 

19r

He finds a ship on the coast sunken by a storm. [Scene is in two parts: Huon by the foot of the mountain, looking to the right; the sea, black waters (?) and a face upside down; then a man, dressed in bright colors, looking at a boat.]

 

19v

He meets two maidens[, the only survivors from the storm-sunken ship. There are two parts to the scene: Huon, with his shield and sword, a black bird behind him, facing right; and the two ladies, with the water behind them, facing left toward Huon; two hills in the background by the right margin.]

 

20v

He sees the battle of a lion with a dragon [a bleeding, wounded lion, with various animals watching, on  the right scene of the frame. On the left, facing center, Huon holds the pichon from the shipwreck in his hand, with the two survivors watching.]

 

21r

Huon kills [has] the dragon [killed], and befriends the lion [with an appreciative audience of the two seated shipwrecked ladies behind him on the left. On the right, the lion seems to lead the group off into the right margin, uphill. Other animals peek out from their burrows on the hill.]

 

21v

The lion lies down submissively before him. [The lion bows before him. Again, the ladies form an appreciative audience.]

 

22v

He [chops down trees with the pichon, makes a raft. Then] he travels with the two women and the lion across the sea and to a coast on which another dragon lodges. [The dragon lies in front of a cave sun-bathing;  Huon wishes to use the cave as lodging with the ladies.]

 

 

23r

He slays the dragon with the pichon and prays with his companions in its grotto. [The lion remains outside looking at them. Note bipartite structure again.]

 

24r

Devils seek him in the grotto and he holds out the cross at them. [Huon evicts the devil, who had been making incomprehensible noises that he had mistaken for prayer, from the grotto with his cross and prayer (his right hand is raised in the sign of blessing).]

 

24v

He finds on further wandering a captive damsel outside a castle tied to a tree [about to be burned at the stake] outside of a castle a city [Nobie]. [In the second scene, to the right, the citizens flee into the city on seeing the lion.]

 

25r

He demands her release from the king [false ruler, a pretendant, her brother-in-law].

 

25v

[Huon] knocks him [the pretendant] from his horse in single combat.

 

27r

Huon, surrounded by knights, in a city. [Huon is about to leave, lecturing Sanson’s son Gui about being a good ruler after knighting him and marrying him to the heiress of the city whom he had rescued. There are two scenes, this is to the right: at the left he is entering the city with the two shipwrecked ladies and the lion.]

 

28v

Knights’ combat in front of the city [the capital of Cappadocia].

 

30r

Huon returns to the ship with his horse [and two men; they are signaling to each other as they speak].

 

31r

He receives the sacrament from Prester John. [The scene is in two parts: to the left, a basilica from the outside; to the right, an altar with a golden chalice and a candelabra in front of which Huon is kneeling at the feet of a very richly dressed figure; a tonsured priest with a paten in the air and two other figures stand to the right under an arcade.]

 

32v

Charles Martel is notified [that Huon has departed on his mission to hell]. Left and above on the border, spreading tendrils. [Note: from here, there is a missing signature replaced with one not matching the catchwords. There are no new illuminations until folio 43r.]

 

43r

Huon bids Taddeus, the nephew of Prester John, farewell, in order to leave and go across the sea. [Two scenes; farewell to the left, under a baldacchino; Huon and his horse (with a horn!) in the center, his ship to the right on the water.]

 

44v

 

He kills[has killed] a leopard and fights with a lion. [To the left, Huon’s ship on the sea; Huon’s horse and Huon, fully armed, in the center; leopard on the ground, Huon’s sword out and cutting the lion, with blood dripping down.]

 

45v

He meets three viol-playing damsels, who call to him. [Huon and his horse to the left, a green tree in the center, three young women to the left playing their instruments with bows.]

 

46v

They lead him to a city. [Huon on his horse, his face visible and horse now without a horn, left by two damsels, one with her viol on her shoulder, and bowing. To the right, a fortress with the portcullis open over a body of water.]

 

47v

The purity test. Huon sits beside a woman on a throne, to the left of the viol-playing damsels, to the right, musicians. [The throne is under an arcade and the musicians on the right are playing waist-mounted drums.]

 

48v

The throne has turned into the entrance to the underworld. Above appear three angels and between flames three devils, in front of Huon. [To the left, Huon is praying in the garden and hitting himself with a rock; on the right, three angels descend and the throne bursts into flames, the queen and her people having turned into devils.]

 

49v

His battle with the birds of the underworld. [He finds his ship again after leaving the devil’s court; big birds from the Tigris attack. He protects his horse. The horse has been pulling the ship; it has a rope over the saddle-horn tied to the mast of the ship, since it has been pulling the ship along from the shore.]

 

50v

Battle with a dragon. [Two parts in the frame: Huon riding his horse with the visor up, sword in hand to the left; then to the right, framed by a tree between the first scene and a tree at the right edge, he is on foot with his sword raised and visor down, striking a dragon on the ground with blood coming out of its neck.]

 

51r

He meets sirens and mermen. [Two part illumination: to the left, Huon, visor open, on his horse (no horn); to the right, six figures each with two scaly legs and human torsos in water.]

 

51v

Encounters fabulous maidens that have grown together into several, conjuring fire from the sky. [Again, two part scene: Huon on his horse, visor open, sword at the ready on the left; to the right, people “deformed and outside of human nature… split down the middle to their navel,” barefoot and naked; a whirlwind lifts them into the sky and drops them into the sea, followed by “fire raining down from the sky”.]

 

52r

Huon meets [a heavenly representative who explains what he has seen] a cousin from the family of Commarchis. [again, the horse is in the left of the illumination; trees frame Huon holding both hands of the messenger, dressed in blue, to the right.]

 

53v

He kills a dragon and wounds [and saves the two griffons who had been fighting with it]. , who then follow him. [Again, two sections of the illumination: on the left, the front of Huon’s horse and Huon fully armed, visor closed, with his sword out; to the right, Huon’s sword is in the throat of the dragon, and the two griffons are bleeding, they have their mouths open, shrieking in anguish.]

 

54r

The griffons lead him  accompany him on his journey. through the flames of the damned. He holds a [gold] cross in his hand. [Huon, visor up, on the left, riding his horse, the cross given him by the pope in his right hand. The griffons are in front of him. To the right, gray devils behind naked figures with bleeding wounds, all under what seem to be flaming stones falling from the sky; some are also on the ground.]

 

55r

He knocks on a hermit’s hut. [To the left, his horse and a griffon grazing; to the right, a hill with the hut, Huon knocking on the door with his visor up, accompanied by the other griffon.]

 

57r

Huon with three [Augustinian] hermits in conversation [Huon’s nephew Henry and two companions who suffered on pilgrimage to the Holy Land]. On the right, two holy men walk [the forefathers who are meeting with the animals on Mt. Ararat on Good Friday]. In the [central and left] background on Mount Ararat, Noah’s Arche [here, a coffin]. [The illumination is in three parts: Huon with his relative and two other hermits as well as his griffin; Mount Ararat with various beasts on it and golden coffin at the top; and the two men with haloes to the right.]

 

58r

Huon sleeps under a tree near his grazing horse and takes note of the [learns of the] birds’ speech, through whom  the devil speaks. [Again, there are two scenes. On the left, Huon is sleeping on his shield under a tree; in the center, his horse is grazing; to the right, Huon is speaking to black birds in a tree. These are those who did not choose to fight for God or for Lucifer in heaven. They (one is called a devil in the form of a bird) speak about their torture, how they fish for birds in the water to eat, but catch nothing, but they have Sundays off, singing praises to God on Sundays in that their paradise.]

 

59r

He kneels before two holy men [Enoch and Elijah] whom he meets.

 

60r

He is attacked by birds [monster crows, on the left; these kill the griffins] and a type of locust/ grasshopper [wasps and “galavro[n], » hornets, on the right].

 

60v

A dragon kills his horse [on the left, taking up the entire left half of the illumination; on the right, Huon, fully armed and visor down, sword above his head, is about to strike. His horse is looking backwards as if it is about to bite].

 

61r

He accompanies speaks with a pilgrim St. Jacob [whom he fed before he left home, in reality a demon, a “faus angle”], on foot. [The devil’s teeth are quite frightening. Huon dominates the left side of the illumination, the disguised demon is in the center, framed by a tree on either side.]

 

62r

He meets a knight with a closed visor, who holds a silver bough in his hand: he is William the Conqueror (William of Orange) [Aeneas]. [Huon again is centered in the left half, visor up, a small sword at his belt, arm extended. The warrior, helm closed, and of a different type, has a long sword, sheathed, at his right side, and a tree is on the right to frame the illumination.]

 

63r

This fellow [the armed man, Aeneas] introduces him to Aeneas[William of Orange], who appears wading through a stream[, symbol of baptism. His halo identifies him further. Huon is to the left, again with his visor up, but now with a long sword appearing around his left; Aeneas is in the middle, facing the reader, pointing to the reader’s right (his left), at the saint in a stream.]

 

64r

Aeneas [William] leads the two knights before four towers. [Notice the figures at the top, as described in the text: A woman with a sword and document reading “justicia”; a red dragon; a lion; and a bearded man. See note, v. 9227.]

 

65v

The wanderer, Aeneas, with the two knights, in hell among the damned. [Three scenes: first, on the left, bodies on biers surrounded by devils with fire; the middle, Aeneas, Huon and William; on the right, standing figures, a short devil with a sword, and the upper portion of a figure dressed in red at the top being pulled down by two more devils; these are the ones gnashing their teeth and beating their palms, the vainglorious.]

 

66r

A catapult bombards the damned [specifically, jongleurs who threw lies and perjuries, shaming women; “S” is above the one nearest the center of the illumination for ‘Saudin’. They have their hands in front of their faces. Huon and St. William are in the center, with a catapult to the right.]

 

67r (not 68r)

Left, a centaur, right the ferryman Charon, who transports souls over a fiery stream. [William with the devil, Aeneas, and Huon speak with the centaur, and naked souls await on the bank for Charon, who has a very classical profile, holding an oar on flaming black waters.]

 

69r

They catch sight of Dante [Ptolemy, “le mastre Tholome » ] on the tower of a city. [Aeneas, Huon, and William on the left, the tower of a city over a gateway in the center with a figure on top of it reading from a book; the rest of the city in the right half of the illumination.]

 

70v

A young knight [crowned king], Tibaut, follows his wife on a horse. [Reference to the Guillaume d’Orange cycle, where Tibaut loses Orable/Guibourc to Guillaume d’Orange together with the city Orange. On the left, the three travelers; woman standing with her hands in prayerful position, with the right half dominated by the young king on a white horse with his arms raised about to strike with a long sword.]

 

71r

The knight Girard d’Afraite in the flames of his castle.[Girart da Fraite defends his castle against the assault of demons. To the left, Huon, William, and Aeneas outside the walls of a castle; in the center third, Girart in flames (with Gs on his tunic); in the right third, Girard in a prison with devils around him, in his yellow tunic with Gs on it.]

 

72r

A devil punishes the damned in a pool of dragons. Left, the hell travelers. [The travelers are to the left; devils lifting a group of men into the air in the center (one is Roger, one Charles Martel’s men, identified by the “R” above), with a pit of sulfur and fire with a dragon and other beasts, where sinners are burned by fire and eaten by vermin on the right.]

72v

An armored knight[, Alexander,] follows two naked men [his poisoners], among whom Judas, and wounds them constantly with his spear. [Three parts: the travelers, the armed and crowned knight in the middle on horseback, and the two naked men on the left, with bloody spots all over.]

73r

The wanderers in front of the ruler of hell [in the center of the frame, with his servant devils]; [he] who holds a crown in his right hand.

74r

Huon sleeping on the table, a devil pulls him hard. [Two frames: first, the devil who had taken his table initially carries Huon on his own table back to Auvergne; second, Huon wakes up at home.]

75v

Huon [distinctively not armed here, with long red hair and beard] brings King Charles Martel the golden fleece [letiere], a scarlet cloth sprinkled with gold birds. [The king’s men watch to the right of the illumination.]

76r

The king, sitting on it, is carried away to hell by devils. [With Huon and his men watching on the left of the frame, and armored men to the right.]

77r

Ornamental initial S with edge decoration between the rows and above [both columns of the folio].

78v

On a wooden stand in the middle [of the illumination] before a brownish curtain is [the pope, crowning William Çapet, the new king of France, and to the right on the stand he is married to Belisor, Charles Martel’s daughter] in the court is a messenger who holds the message about the invasion of Rome by Saracens. Front left, at the foot of the stand, Huon. [To the right are other courtiers.]

80r

The fight for Rome [between the French and the Germans]. The pope [makes the sign of] bless[ing] es the Christian fighters [in the center background].

81v

Slaughter of knights outside the tower of the city. The Saracens flee.

82v

In front of the papal throne the [victorious] rulers, French and German, stand angrily opposite each other. [French King William is on the left side, immediately beside the papal throne.]

83v

The knights and rulers fight with each other before the Pope [and other ecclesiastics] in the ring. [To the left, the pope and two other ecclesiastics; the ring of wood reaches across most of the center of the illumination, with a tree to the right. A crown is visible in the center, on top of a helm.]

84r

Huon dies [as a result of the combat]. [The entire illumination is inside the wooden ring. Huon is to the left on the ground, a German (identified by his tunic with the eagles on it) to the right; the pope and other officials are in the center, adjudicating who dies last.]

Consulta la bibiografia di Arlima, periodicamente aggiornata da Leslie Zarker Morgan.

In fase di redazione

Scheda a cura di Leslie Zarker Morgan.

Prima stesura: mercoledì 25 giugno 2025.
Ultimo aggiornamento: ….

Contributi di Shira Schwam-Baird.