OGIER THE DANE

[Folklore] One of the great heroes of medieval romance; son of Geoffrey, King of Denmark. His adventures are chronicled in the Chansons de Geste as well as in many Danish ballads, songs and stories. He was one of the opponents of Dietrich von Bern in the 5th century. He is a king in the mountain: he is said to be asleep under the Kronenberg with his beard grown to fabulous length right through the table. He will rise and save Denmark in her need. In one account, Ogier's son was slain by Charlot, son of Charlemagne, and in revenge Ogier slew the king's nephew and was only prevented from slaying Charlemagne himself. He resisted Charlemagne for seven years at Castleford but submitted ca. 773. He eventually returned from exile to defend France against the Saracen chief Brehus. The poem about Ogier in the Carolingian cycle has taken somewhat more from folklore than other novels in the series.