The paladins, sometimes known as the Twelve Peers, were the foremost warriors of Charlemagne's
The paladins, sometimes known as the Twelve Peers, were the foremost warriors of Charlemagne's

court, according to the literary cycle known as the Matter of France.
court, according to the literary cycle known as the Matter of France.

They first appear in the early chansons de geste such as The Song of Roland, where they
They first appear in the early chansons de geste such as The Song of Roland, where they

represent Christian valor against the Saracen hordes.
represent Christian valor against the Saracen hordes.

The paladins and their associated exploits are largely later fictional inventions, with
The paladins and their associated exploits are largely later fictional inventions, with

some basis on historical Frankish retainers of the 8th century and events such as the
some basis on historical Frankish retainers of the 8th century and events such as the

Battle of Roncevaux Pass and the confrontation of the Frankish Empire with Umayyad Al-Andalus
Battle of Roncevaux Pass and the confrontation of the Frankish Empire with Umayyad Al-Andalus

in the Marca Hispanica.
in the Marca Hispanica.

Etymology The earliest recorded instance of the word
Etymology The earliest recorded instance of the word

paladin in the English language dates to 1592, in Delia by Samuel Daniel.
paladin in the English language dates to 1592, in Delia by Samuel Daniel.

It entered English through the Middle French word paladin, which itself derived from the
It entered English through the Middle French word paladin, which itself derived from the

Latin palatinus.
Latin palatinus.

All these words for Charlemagne's Twelve Peers descend ultimately from the Latin palatinus,
All these words for Charlemagne's Twelve Peers descend ultimately from the Latin palatinus,

most likely through the Old French palatin.
most likely through the Old French palatin.

The Latin palatinus referred to an official of the Roman Emperor connected to the imperial
The Latin palatinus referred to an official of the Roman Emperor connected to the imperial

palace on the Palatine Hill; over time this word came to refer to other high-level officials
palace on the Palatine Hill; over time this word came to refer to other high-level officials

in the imperial, majestic and royal courts.
in the imperial, majestic and royal courts.

The word palatine, used in various European countries in the medieval and modern eras,
The word palatine, used in various European countries in the medieval and modern eras,

has the same derivation.
has the same derivation.

By the 13th century words referring specifically to Charlemagne's peers began appearing in
By the 13th century words referring specifically to Charlemagne's peers began appearing in

European languages; the earliest is the Italian paladino.
European languages; the earliest is the Italian paladino.

Modern French has paladin, Spanish has paladín or paladino, while German has Paladin.
Modern French has paladin, Spanish has paladín or paladino, while German has Paladin.

By extension "paladin" has come to refer to any chivalrous hero such as King Arthur's
By extension "paladin" has come to refer to any chivalrous hero such as King Arthur's

Knights of the Round Table.
Knights of the Round Table.

Paladin was also used to refer to the leaders of armies supporting the Protestant Frederick
Paladin was also used to refer to the leaders of armies supporting the Protestant Frederick

V in the Thirty Years War ending in 1648.
V in the Thirty Years War ending in 1648.

History
History

In their earliest appearances the paladins were not the companions of Charlemagne, but
In their earliest appearances the paladins were not the companions of Charlemagne, but

of his vassal Roland.
of his vassal Roland.

This Roland is based on the historical figure Hruodland, who is mentioned by Charlemagne's
This Roland is based on the historical figure Hruodland, who is mentioned by Charlemagne's

biographer Einhard as a Lord of the Breton March who died in the Battle of Roncevaux
biographer Einhard as a Lord of the Breton March who died in the Battle of Roncevaux

Pass; nothing else of him is known.
Pass; nothing else of him is known.

By the end of the 12th century the paladins were increasingly thought of as an association
By the end of the 12th century the paladins were increasingly thought of as an association

reporting to the king after the fashion of the Round Table; the earliest romance to portray
reporting to the king after the fashion of the Round Table; the earliest romance to portray

them in this way is Fierabras, dating to around 1170.
them in this way is Fierabras, dating to around 1170.

The names of the twelve paladins vary from romance to romance, and often more than twelve
The names of the twelve paladins vary from romance to romance, and often more than twelve

are named.
are named.

The number is popular because it resembles the Twelve Apostles giving the king the position
The number is popular because it resembles the Twelve Apostles giving the king the position

of Jesus as a reminder of his holy mission as ruler.
of Jesus as a reminder of his holy mission as ruler.

All Carolingian paladin stories feature paladins named Roland and Oliver; other recurring characters
All Carolingian paladin stories feature paladins named Roland and Oliver; other recurring characters

are Archbishop Turpin, Ogier the Dane, Huon of Bordeaux, Fierabras, Renaud de Montauban
are Archbishop Turpin, Ogier the Dane, Huon of Bordeaux, Fierabras, Renaud de Montauban

and Ganelon.
and Ganelon.

Tales of the paladins once rivaled the stories of King Arthur and the knights of the Round
Tales of the paladins once rivaled the stories of King Arthur and the knights of the Round

Table in popularity.
Table in popularity.

The paladins figure into many chansons de geste and other tales associated with Charlemagne.
The paladins figure into many chansons de geste and other tales associated with Charlemagne.

In the above-mentioned Fierabras, they retrieve holy relics stolen from Rome by the Saracen
In the above-mentioned Fierabras, they retrieve holy relics stolen from Rome by the Saracen

giant Fierabras and convert him to Christianity and recruit him to their ranks.
giant Fierabras and convert him to Christianity and recruit him to their ranks.

In Le Pèlerinage de Charlemagne they accompany their king on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and
In Le Pèlerinage de Charlemagne they accompany their king on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and

Constantinople in order to outdo the Byzantine Emperor Hugo.
Constantinople in order to outdo the Byzantine Emperor Hugo.

However, their greatest moments come in The Song of Roland, which depicts their defense
However, their greatest moments come in The Song of Roland, which depicts their defense

of Charlemagne's army against the Saracens of Al-Andalus, and their deaths at the Battle
of Charlemagne's army against the Saracens of Al-Andalus, and their deaths at the Battle

of Roncevaux Pass due to the treachery of Ganelon.
of Roncevaux Pass due to the treachery of Ganelon.

The Song of Roland lists the twelve paladins as Roland, Charlemagne's nephew and the chief
The Song of Roland lists the twelve paladins as Roland, Charlemagne's nephew and the chief

hero among the paladins; Oliver, Roland's friend and strongest ally; and Gérin, Gérier,
hero among the paladins; Oliver, Roland's friend and strongest ally; and Gérin, Gérier,

Bérengier, Otton, Samson, Engelier, Ivon, Ivoire, Anséis, Girard.
Bérengier, Otton, Samson, Engelier, Ivon, Ivoire, Anséis, Girard.

Other characters elsewhere considered part of the twelve appear in the Song, such as
Other characters elsewhere considered part of the twelve appear in the Song, such as

Archbishop Turpin and Ogier the Dane.
Archbishop Turpin and Ogier the Dane.

The Italian Renaissance authors Matteo Maria Boiardo and Ludovico Ariosto, whose works
The Italian Renaissance authors Matteo Maria Boiardo and Ludovico Ariosto, whose works

were once as widely read and respected as William Shakespeare's, contributed prominently
were once as widely read and respected as William Shakespeare's, contributed prominently

to the literary and poetical reworking of the tales of the epic deeds of the paladins.
to the literary and poetical reworking of the tales of the epic deeds of the paladins.

Their works, Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso, send the paladins on even more fantastic
Their works, Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso, send the paladins on even more fantastic

adventures than their predecessors.
adventures than their predecessors.

They list the paladins quite differently, but keep the number at twelve.
They list the paladins quite differently, but keep the number at twelve.

Boiardo and Ariosto's paladins are Orlando, Charlemagne's nephew and the chief hero among
Boiardo and Ariosto's paladins are Orlando, Charlemagne's nephew and the chief hero among

the paladins; Oliver, the rival to Roland; Ferumbras, the Saracen who became a Christian;
the paladins; Oliver, the rival to Roland; Ferumbras, the Saracen who became a Christian;

Astolpho, descended from Charles Martel and cousin to Orlando; Ogier the Dane; Ganelon
Astolpho, descended from Charles Martel and cousin to Orlando; Ogier the Dane; Ganelon

the betrayer, who appears in Dante Alighieri's Inferno; Rinaldo; Malagigi, a sorcerer; Florismart,
the betrayer, who appears in Dante Alighieri's Inferno; Rinaldo; Malagigi, a sorcerer; Florismart,

a friend to Orlando; Guy de Bourgogne; Namo, Duke of Bavaria, Charlemagne's trusted adviser;
a friend to Orlando; Guy de Bourgogne; Namo, Duke of Bavaria, Charlemagne's trusted adviser;

and Otuel, another converted Saracen.
and Otuel, another converted Saracen.

The Italian Orlandos inspired a number of composers over the next few centuries, who
The Italian Orlandos inspired a number of composers over the next few centuries, who

created operas and other musical works on Orlando and the paladins.
created operas and other musical works on Orlando and the paladins.

Afterwards the Charlemagne material went into decline.
Afterwards the Charlemagne material went into decline.

While the Arthurian legend experienced a major revival in the 19th century in the hands of
While the Arthurian legend experienced a major revival in the 19th century in the hands of

the Romantic and Victorian poets, writers, and artists, ensuring that Arthur and his
the Romantic and Victorian poets, writers, and artists, ensuring that Arthur and his

knights are well known into the 21st century, no such resurgence occurred for Charlemagne
knights are well known into the 21st century, no such resurgence occurred for Charlemagne

and his paladins.
and his paladins.

Modern adaptations and reworkings including the Carolingian paladins are few and far between,
Modern adaptations and reworkings including the Carolingian paladins are few and far between,

but the concept of the chivalrous "paladin" lives on.
but the concept of the chivalrous "paladin" lives on.

Modern media
Modern media

References
References

External links The dictionary definition of paladin at Wiktionary
External links The dictionary definition of paladin at Wiktionary