Baligant

Also known as: Baliganz · Family: Sarrazins · Role: the admiral of Babilonie · First appears: Laisses CLXXXVII–CXCII

In Laisses CLXXXVII–CXCII, after Marsilies sent for aid, Baligant, the admiral of Babilonie, prepared his fleet and launched his host in May, then arrived at Sarragus. In Laisses CXCIII–CXCVIII, he sent Clarifan and Clarien to offer Marsilies help and demand his homage; Marsilies offered him his claim over Spain in return for freeing it from the Franks. In Laisses CXCIX–CCIV, Marsilies yielded his land and Sarraguce, and Baligant gave Gemalfin command of his hosts before ordering his barons to prepare for battle.

In Laisses CCXXIII–CCXXVIII, warned that Charles was approaching and battle would come “to-day,” Baligant armed and mounted, with Marcules holding his stirrup. In Laisses CCXXIX–CCXXXIV, he told his son Malprimes that Rollant had been slain yestreen, granted him a slice of his domains, and ordered him against the Franks. In Laisses CCXXXV–CCXL, Baligant called his brother Canabeus to show him Charles’s companies, then took the field against Charles. In Laisses CCXLI–CCLII, he urged his men to succour Malprimes and killed Guineman, Gebuin, Lorain, and Richard.

In Laisses CCLIII–CCLVIII, Gemalfin told Baligant that he had lost Malprimes and Canabeus; Oger broke his ensign and dragon and cast down Mahumet’s standard. As the day passed into vesper-tide, Baligant and Charles fought with spears but neither wounded the other. In Laisses CCLIX–CCLXIV, they fought with swords: Baligant wounded Charles in the head, and Charles struck Baligant dead.