Alde

Family: Franks · Role: Oliver's sister, betrothed to Rollant · First appears: Laisses CXXVII–CXXXII

In Laisses CXXVII–CXXXII, Oliver speaks of Alde as his sister and vows that, if he sees her again, she will never embrace Rollant.

In Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX at Aix, Alde asks Charles where Rollant is, recalling that he had sworn to take her as his mate. Charles tells her Rollant is dead and offers his son Loewis in his place. Alde refuses, saying, “When Rollant's dead shall I alive remain!” She falls dead at Charles’s feet. He has her carried to a nunnery, where she is watched through the night and buried before the altar.

Relationship record

Life events

• Oliver vows that if he sees Alde again, she will never embrace Rollant.(Laisses CXXVII–CXXXII)
  • With: Oliver
  • “If I may see my gentle sister Alde, She in her arms, I swear, shall never clasp you.”
• Alde learns from Charles that Rollant is dead, refuses his son Loewis in exchange, and dies at Charles's feet.(Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX · 📍 Aix)
  • With: Charles Rollant Loewis
  • “Sister, dear friend, of a dead man you spake. I'll give you one far better in exchange, That is Loewis, what further can I say; He is my son, and shall my marches take. Alde answered him: ‘That word to me is strange. Never, please God, His Angels and His Saints, When Rollant's dead shall I alive remain!’ Her colour fails, at th' feet of Charlemain, She falls; she's dead.”
• Charles has Alde carried to a nunnery, where she is watched and buried.(Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX · 📍 Aix)
  • With: Charles
  • “Four countesses at once he summoned; To a monast'ry of nuns they bare her thence, All night their watch until the dawn they held; Before the altar her tomb was fashioned well;”

Laisses CXXVII–CXXXII

• siblings with Oliver “If I may see my gentle sister Alde,”

Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX

• engaged with Rollant “Said to the King: ‘Where's Rollanz the Captain, Who sware to me, he'ld have me for his mate?’”

Also listed in Franks — Minor Figures

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Extracted from the original text of The Song of Roland. Made with Rho MD.