| Olivier de Vienne | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Names |
Uliviero or Oliviero |
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First Appearance |
Matter of France chansons de geste |
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Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
Oliver, sometimes referred to as Olivier de Vienne or de Gennes, is a legendary knight in the Matter of France chansons de geste, especially the French epic The Song of Roland.
In the tradition, he was Roland's closest friend, advisor, confidant and brother-in-law to be, one of Charlemagne's twelve peers and brother of Aude, Roland's betrothed. He dies with Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. Some critics have linked his name to the olive tree, a biblical symbol of divine wisdom.
Whereas the portrayal of Roland is commonly seen as recklessly courageous, Oliver was said to exhibit poise and wisdom in combat. He tells Roland that "heroism tempered with common sense is a far cry from madness: "Reasonableness is to be preferred to recklessness" (Oxford manuscript, laisse 131). Oliver was fatally impaled from behind by the Saracen Marganice, but before dying, he used his sword, Hauteclere, to split his attacker's head open with one blow.
Oliver's sword Hauteclere (or Halteclere, Hauteclaire) is described as being of burnished steel, with a crystal embedded in a golden hilt.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Song of Roland
- Girart de Vienne
- Roland a Saragosse
- Galiens li Restorés
- Le Pèlerinage de Charlemagne
- Morgante
- Orlando innamorato
- Orlando furioso
Notes[]
- Oliver is prominently displayed, guiding Charlemagne's horse and holding a pike, on the bronze sculpture Charlemagne et ses Leudes (1878) in front of Notre-Dame de Paris.