THE SCENE: The violence and gore of the medieval epic La Chanson de Roland is on full display when Roland splits a man – and his horse – in half with one blow.
THE TEXT: Mingled and marvellous grows the fray,
And in Roland’s heart is no dismay.
He fought with lance while his good lance stood;
Fifteen encounters have strained its wood.
At the last it brake; then he grasped in hand
His Durindana, his naked brand.
He smote Chernubles’ helm upon,
Where, in the centre, carbuncles shone:
Down through his coif and his fell of hair,
Betwixt his eyes came the falchion bare,
Down through his plated harness fine,
Down through the Saracen’s chest and chine,
Down through the saddle with gold inlaid,
Till sank in the living horse the blade,
Severed the spine where no joint was found,
And horse and rider lay dead on ground.
“Caitiff, thou camest in evil hour;
To save thee passeth Mohammed’s power.
Never to miscreants like to thee
Shall come the guerdon of victory.”
– La Chanson de Roland, 11th Century AD
