| Ogier the Dane | |
|---|---|
| Matter of France character | |
 | |
| First appearance | The Song of Roland |
| Based on | Autcharius Francus,Adalgis, Othgerius Francus |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Knight (paladin) |
| Weapon | Cortain |
| Significantother | Morgan le Fay |
| Nationality | Danish |
Ogier the Dane (French:Ogier le Danois,Ogier de Danemarche;Danish:Holger Danske) is alegendarypaladin ofCharlemagne who appears in manyOld Frenchchansons de geste. In particular, he features as the protagonist inLa Chevalerie Ogier (c. 1220), which belongs to theGeste deDoon de Mayence ("cycle of the rebellious vassals"; Doon is Ogier's grandfather).[1][2] The first part of this epic, theenfance[s] (childhood exploits) of Ogier, is marked by his duel against aSaracen from whom he obtains the swordCortain, followed by victory over another Saracen opponent from whom he wins the horse Broiefort. In subsequent parts, Ogier turns into a rebel with cause, seeking refuge with the King ofLombardy and warring with Charlemagne for many years, until he is eventually reconciled when a dire need for him emerges after another Saracen incursion.
His character is a composite based on an historical Autcharius Francus who was aligned with kingDesiderius of Lombardy against Charlemagne. The legend of a certain Othgerius buried inMeaux is also incorporated into theChevalerie.
In Scandinavia, he was first known asOddgeir danski in theOld Norse prose translationKarlamagnús saga, but later became more widely known as Holger Danske, and was given the pedigree of being Olaf son of KingGøtrik in a 16th-century Danish translation. Since then, Holger Danske has become a Danish folklore hero, with asleeping hero motif attached to him, and eventually a symbol of Danish identity and patriotism as well as anti-German nationalism.
The Ogier character is generally believed to be based onAutcharius/Otker,[a] aFrankish knight who had servedCarloman and escorted his widow and young children toDesiderius, King ofLombardy, but eventually surrendered toCharlemagne.[3][b] The Ogier character could also have been partly constructed from the historicalAdalgis (or Adelgis, Algisus), son of Desiderius, who played a similar role.[c][8][7][9] Thechanson de geste does parallel this, and Ogier does seek refuge with the Lombardian king Didier or Désier (as Desiderius is styled in French).[10]
An unrelated Othgerius (Otgerius), a benefactor buried at the Abbey ofSaint Faro inMeaux in France,[d] became connected with Ogier by a work calledConversio Othgeri militis (ca. 1070–1080) written by the monks there.[3][11] This tradition is reflected in thechanson of Ogier, which states that the hero was buried at Meaux.[12]
There is no Ogier of consequence in Danish history; at least, no Ogier as such appears inSaxo Grammaticus'sGesta Danorum.[13] However, the Danish workHolger Danskes Krønike (1534) made Ogier into the son ofKing Gøtrek of Denmark[e][14][13] (namely Olaf son of Gøtrek,[15] mentioned by Saxo). "Olgerus, dux Daniæ" ("Olger, War-Leader of the Danes") had rebuilt the St. Martin's monastery pillaged by theSaxons in 778, according to the chronicle of this monastery atCologne (ca. 1050). However, this is not a contemporary record and may just be poetic fiction.[4][13]
Ogier the Dane's first appearance (spelledOger) in any work is inChanson de Roland (c. 1060),[16] where he is not named as one of the douzepers (twelve peers orpaladins) of Charlemagne, although he is usually one of the twelve peers in other works.[17] In the poeticizedBattle of Roncevaux Pass, Ogier is assigned to be the vanguard and commands the Bavarian Army in the battle againstBaligant in the later half.[18][19] He plays only a minor part in this poem, and it is unclear what becomes of him, but thePseudo-Turpin knows of a tradition that Ogier was killed at Roncevaux.[20]
A full career of Ogier from youth to death is treated inLa Chevalerie Ogier de Danemarche, a 13th-century assonanced poem of approximately 13,000 lines,[f] attributed to Raimbert de Paris, preserved in six manuscripts.[23] It relates Ogier's early years, his rebellion against Charlemagne and eventual reconciliation.[1] This is now considered a retelling.[g] Ogier in a lost original "Chevalerie Ogier primitive"[h] is thought to have fought alongside the Lombards because Charlemagne attacked at the Pope's bidding, as historically happened in theSiege of Pavia (773–74),[24] that is, there was no fighting with theSaracens (i.e. Muslims) as a prelude to this.
The legend that Ogier fought valiantly with some Saracens in his youth is the chief material of the first branch (about 3,000 lines[i]) of Raimbert'sChevalerie Ogier.[27] This is also recounted inEnfances Ogier (c. 1270), a rhymed poem of 9,229 lines byAdenet le Roi. The story of Ogier's youth develops with close similarity in these two works starting at the beginning, but they diverge at a certain point when Raimbert's version begins to be more economical with the details.[28]
In the 14th-century and subsequent versions of the romance, Ogier travels to theAvalon ruled byKing Arthur and eventually becomes paramour ofMorgan le Fay (the earliest known mention of her as his lover is inBrun de la Montaigne[29]). This is how the story culminates inRoman d'Ogier, a reworking inAlexandrins written in the 14th century, as well as its prose redaction retitledOgier le Danois (Ogyer le Danois) printed in a number of editions from the late 15th century onwards.[30] The Alexandrines version may contain some vestiges of the lost 12th-centuryChevalerie Ogier.[1] It is also possible[31] that Ogier the Dane has first appeared in the Arthurian context as the Saxon prince Oriolz[j] the Dane (de Danemarche), sometimes known as theRed Knight, in the 13th-centuryVulgateMerlin and its English adaptationArthour and Merlin.
There are also several texts that might be classed as "histories" which refer to Ogier. Girart d'Amiens'Charlemagne contains a variant of Ogier'senfances.[32][33]Philippe Mouskes'sChronique rimée (c. 1243) writes on Ogier's death.[34]Jean d'Outremeuse'sLy Myreur des Histors writes of Ogier's combat with thecapalus (chapalu), which is a giant cat monster known from the Arthurian cycle.[35]
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A legend ofConversio Othgeri militis was invented by the monks at the abbey ofSaint Faro atMeaux around 1070–1080. It claimed Othgerius Francus ("Frankish") to be the most illustrious member of Charlemagne's court after the king himself,[36] thus making him identifiable with Ogier the Dane.[k] He was buried in the abbey in a mausoleum built for him. His remains were placed in asarcophagus lidded with his recumbenttomb effigy lying next to that of Saint Benedictus, and the chamber was enshrined with erect statues of various figures from theCharlemagne Cycle.[3][11][19] A stone head later found in Meaux was determined to be Ogier's head from comparisons with these incunabula etchings.[38] This stone head can still be viewed today.
This document was first commented on byJean Mabillon in hisActa Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti,[36] printed editions of which include a detailed illustration of the mausoleum at St. Faro. The statues at the mausoleum even includedla belle Aude, affianced to Roland,[11] with one of the inscriptions there (according to Mabillon) claiming that Aude was Ogier's sister.[39][40][l] It underwent restoration in 1535 by the Italian Gabriele Simeoni.[m][41][42] That mausoleum is no longer preserved, but an illustration of the interior was printed in editions of Mabillon'sActa Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti.[43][44]
Ogier is the main character in the poemLa Chevalerie Ogier de Danemarche (writtenc. 1200–1215). The work consists of twelve parts (or "branches") of varying lengths.[n]
In the first branch of the poem (sometimes referred to as theLes enfances Ogier portion[47]), Ogier is introduced as the son of Geoffroy de Danemarche (while Geoffroy, in turn, is son of Doon de Mayence according to other works[2][48][50]). Ogier is surrendered as a hostage to Charlemagne, but at the castle where he is kept, he becomes intimate with the castellan's daughter, who bears him a son, named Baldwinet (Old French:Bauduinet, dim. ofBaudouin).[51][46][52]
When Charles (Charlemagne), at the Pope's request, launches a war campaign against Saracens invading Rome, Ogier is there initially as an unarmed bystander. But when the French suffer a setback, Ogier joins the fray, seizing a flag and arms from a fleeingstandard-bearer. For his deeds, Ogier is knighted by Charlemagne and is girt with the king's own sword.[53] Next, Ogier accepts the challenge of single combat from the Saracen warrior Karaheut of India,[o] but enemies interrupt and abduct Ogier. Karaheut protests for Ogier's release, to no avail, and loses his engagement to the amiral's daughter.[54] The amiral then decides his daughter should marry the brutish warrior Brunamont of Maiolgre (Mallorca), but she is unwilling, and appoints the captured Ogier as her champion to fight on her behalf. Ogier, armed with Karaheut's swordCortain (or Corte, Cortana, etc.), vanquishes Brunamont and confiscates the horse Broiefort.[55][56][57][p]
In the second branch,[r] Ogier's son Bauduinet (Baldwinet) is slain by Charlot over a game of chess. Ogier attacks Charlot and demands his life in revenge, resulting in his banishment. Ogier is given safe haven by King Didier of Pavia[s] inLombardy. Ogier strengthens the fortifications at Castelfort (Chastel Fort) and Mont Quevrel in Lombardy.[60] In the subsequent branches,[t][56][61] Ogier wars with Charlemagne (alone, after losing his squire Benoit/Bennet), enduring for seven years, then is taken prisoner for another seven years.[62][63] In the ninth branch,[u] renewed attack by the Saracens forces Charlemagne to seek Ogier's help, and Ogier, reunited with his old war horse, slays thegiant, King Brehus (or Brahier, Braihier, Bruhier) of Africa.[64][56][65]
In the concluding branches (XI and XII), Ogier engages in a warring adventure in England, and marries the English princess whom he succors. He is grantedHainaut Province andProvince of Brabant (now in Belgium) by Charlemagne. Ogier and his squire Benoit/Bennet are interred at Meaux.[66][67][68]
Modified verse versions were produced in the 14th century. ThedecasyllabicRoman d'Ogier appeared (31000vv., early 14th cent.[69] or c. 1310[70]) which contained an ending plot where Ogier is invited to Avalon by Morgue la Fee (Morgan le Fay).[70][71] Later anAlexandrine (dodecasyllabic)Roman d'Ogier (29000vv., mid-14th cent.[69] or c. 1335[72])[v][74] of 29,000 verses,[75][w] appeared, datable to c. 1335, extant in three manuscript redactions,[x][72] and this too expanded upon theChevalerie of Raimbert, by adding an Avalon adventure (about 18,000 verses).[74][76]
The Alexandrine version represented fan intermediate stage between the decasyllabic romance and the later prose rendering.[77] In the Alexandrine version, Ogier's fate with Morgan is set in motion while he is still a newborn in his crib. Sixfées visit the baby, each with a gift, and Morgan's gift is longevity and life living with her.[78][80] Ogier has an enhanced career, even becoming King of England,[y] and when he reaches the age of 100, he is shipwrecked by Morgan so he can be conveyed to Avalon. He returns after two hundred years to save France, and is given a firebrand[z] which must not be allowed to be burnt down for him to remain alive.[aa] Ogier tries to forfeit his life after accomplishing his task but is saved by Morgan.[76][82]
In the further development of the legend, Ogier and Morgan have a son named Meurvin (or Marlyn).[83] The latter himself became the subject of a lengthy Renaissance era romance, theHistoire du Preux et Vaillant Chevalier Meurvin (1540). Meurvin's story makes Ogier an ancestor ofGodfrey of Bouillon, the historical crusader king of Jerusalem.[84]
The early form of thechanson de geste was translated in the 13th century into Old Norse asOddgeirs þáttr danska ("Short story of Oddgeir danski"), Branch III of theKarlamagnús saga (c. 1240[85]). An Old Danish version of it,Karl Magnus krønike, was later created (some copies date to 1480).[86]
The 16th-centuryOlger Danskes krønike was a Danish translation of the French prose romanceOgier le Danois byKristiern Pedersen, started while in Paris in 1514–1515, probably completed during his second sojourn in 1527, and printed in 1534 inMalmö.[14][13] Pedersen also fused the romance with Danish genealogy, thus making Ogier the son of Danish king Gøtrik (Godfred).[87][13]
"Holger Danske og Burmand" (DgF 30,TSB E 133) recounts the fight between the hero and Burmand.[86] The ballad also exists in Swedish (SMB 216) and tells the story of how Holger Dansk is released from prison to fight against atroll by the name of Burman.[88][89]
The hero's popularity led to him being depicted on 15th- and 16th-century paintings in two churches in Denmark and Sweden.[13] The Holger Danske and Burman painted on the ceiling ofFloda Church in Sweden are attributed toAlbertus Pictor around 1480. It also includes the textHolger Dane won victory over Burman; this is theburden of the Danish and Swedish ballad, but the painting predates other written texts for this ballad.[90][91] On the slopes of Rönneberga outsideLandskrona in south Sweden (formerly a part of Denmark), there is a burial mound named after Höljer (Holger) Danske.
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Ogier in Danish legend is said to dwell inKronborg Castle, his beard grown down to the floor. He will sleep there until the day when the country of Denmark is in the greatest peril, at which time he will awaken and save the nation. This is a common folklore motif, classed as Type 1960.2, "The King Asleep in the Mountain".[92] According to the tour guides of Kronborg Castle, legend has it that Holger sat down in his present location after walking all the way from his completed battles in France. It was popularized by the short story "Holger Danske" written byHans Christian Andersen in 1845.[93]
The 1789 operaHolger Danske, composed byF.L.Æ. Kunzen with alibretto byJens Baggesen, had a considerable impact on Danish nationalism in the late 18th century. It spawned the literary "Holger feud", which revealed the increasing dissatisfaction among the native Danish population with the German influence on Danish society. Danish intellectualPeter Andreas Heiberg joined the feud by writing a satirical version entitledHolger Tyske ("Holger the German") ridiculing Baggesen's lyrics. Ogier is also regarded as the symbol of national identity inBernhard Severin Ingemann's 1837 epic poemHolger Danske.[93]Vernon Lee's short story "A Wicked Voice" posits an opera calledOgier the Dane which the lead character Magnus attempts to finish under duress.[94]
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During the 1940-1945German occupation of Denmark, a patriotic presentation of Kunzen's opera in Copenhagen became a manifestation of Danish national feeling and opposition to the occupation. The largest armed group of theDanish resistance movement in World War II,Holger Danske, was named after the legend.
TheHotel Marienlyst inHelsingør commissioned a statue of Holger Danske in 1907 from the sculptorHans Peder Pedersen-Dan. The bronze statue was outside the hotel until 2013, when it was sold and moved toSkjern.[95][96] The bronze statue was based on an original in plaster. The plaster statue was placed in the vaults at Kronborg Castle, also in Helsingør, where it became a popular attraction in its own right.[97] The plaster statue was replaced by a concrete copy in 1985.[98]
InRudyard Kipling's poem "The Land" (1916), 'Ogier the Dane' is the archetypal name used to signify Danish invaders who have overrunSussex. Ogier is the protagonist ofThe Viking (1951) byEdison Marshall, where he is portrayed as the child ofRagnar Lodbrok via his rape of the Northumbrian noblewoman Enid, mother ofAella of Northumbria; his chief rival is his paternal half-brotherHastein.[99] The protagonist ofPoul Anderson's fantasy novelThree Hearts and Three Lions (1961), World War II Danish resistance member Holger Carlsen, time warps and learns that he actually is Ogier of the legend.Per Petterson's novelI Curse the River of Time (2001) has a ferry namedHolger Danske.[ab] There is an Ogier story event in the strategy video gameCrusader Kings II.
Media related toHolger Danske at Wikimedia Commons