Ogier The Dane - Homage To Charlemagne

Ogier the Dane's noble life began on the evening his mother died giving him birth. His father greatly mourned the loss of his beloved Queen, but never once neglected his son. Ogier was well prepared for the heroic legends that would fill his life. He was noble and highly skilled in the arts of knighthood -- which helped him greatly when he had to pay homage to Emperor Charlemagne.

King Geoffrey gave his son Ogier all that was needed for his education and training to make him a knight of the highest level. To become a hero, Ogier had all the backing he needed -- throughout his learning years he studied hard, learned quickly and became accomplished in all the skills a warrior needed. He took his responsibilities as a knight of his father's kingdom seriously. It was ingrained in him from birth to do so, for he was blessed and gifted the proper attributes of a hero and warrior by the women of the faery on the night of his birth.

King Geoffrey was the first Christian king of Denmark. It was during the time that Charlemagne was Emperor and the sovereign lord of all --Denmark was one of the dominant domains of the feudal lord.

When Ogier was about sixteen years old, Emperor Charlemagne sent notice to King Geoffrey that the homage owed to him as the emperor had not been given and demanded this homage. Geoffrey, having refused, was next visited by an army from Charlemagne to enforce compliance.

Geoffrey soon saw it would be hopeless to continue the resistance. As homage to Charlemagne, Geoffrey handed over his son, Ogier, as hostage. Ogier was taken to continue his training at the court of the feudal lord and kept there to ensure Geoffrey would continue to pay homage to Charlemagne, or risk his own son's life. Geoffrey had a friend, Duke Namo of Bavaria, at the court of Charlemagne. It was the Duke who would take and continue to raise Ogier as if he were his own son and make sure his training in warfare continued.

Being at the court of Charlemagne as a hostage for his father's lack of fealty to the emperor placed Ogier in a position of shame. Yet this degradation did not keep him from continuing to learn and become ever more amiable, handsome and skilled in military prowess. He easily surpassed all others in the arts of knighthood. He was well-liked by the other young men who were in training. His foster father, Duke Namo, was very proud of Ogier and loved him as his own son.

Things back at the castle of King Geoffrey in Denmark were not going well. Geoffrey had remarried to a woman of strong jealousy and possessiveness. They had a son, Guyon, and she did not want Ogier taking first place in his father's heart or inheritance. Once again, with the manipulation of his new queen, Geoffrey had failed to render homage to Charlemagne. Geoffrey had delayed this duty of his for four years after giving Ogier up as hostage to show sincerity in pledging future homage to the Emperor.

Charlemagne was outraged and sent another summons, which Geoffrey refused with defiance and insults. The wrath of Charlemagne was such that he would have taken his vengeance out on Ogier, which is what Geoffrey's wife had hoped for. However, Duke Namo stepped forward and pleaded to not harm the young Ogier. Charlemagne relented with the request that he would not harm Ogier if the lad would swear fealty to him and not leave his court. Ogier accepted and pledged an oath of fidelity to Charlemagne.

Ogier started in Charlemagne's court as hostage and not on the best terms with the sovereign lord -- yet, the day would come when Charlemagne accepted Ogier the Dane as a loyal and courageous warrior, worthy of honor and respect in his court.

Author's note: For the next phase in the life of Ogier, please click on the related link below: Ogier The Dane - Pledge To Charlemagne. Thank you.


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