Sir Caradoc, the keen,
And gentle Gawain’s courteous lore,
Hector de Mares, and Pellinore,
And Lancelot, that evermore
Looked stol’n-wise on the queen.
Bridal of Triermain, ii. 13 (1813).
Twelve Paladins (The), twelve famous warriors in Charlemagne’s court.
1. Astolpho, cousin of Roland, descended from Charles Martel. A great boaster, fool-hardy, and singularly handsome. It was Astolpho who went to the moon to fetch back Orlando’s (Roland’s) brains when mad.
2. Ferumbras or Fierabras, a Saracen, afterwards converted and baptized.
3. Florismart, the fidus Achātês of Roland or Orlando.