The Nonexistent Knight

Sister Theodora is writing this story, she explains, as a penance. The outside world is forbidden to her, so she has withdrawn into the world of her book as an escape. She has “used up part of [her] restless, conscienceless youth” (69). She returns to the narrative, where the paladins are enjoying a banquet. Charlemagne arrives at the banquet early, thus breaching the strict code of etiquette which governs the society. He tastes the food at the table before the paladins have sat down. When they enter, Agilulf takes a chair at the end of the table. The paladins gorge themselves greedily on the food. Agilulf studies their chaotic behavior as he carefully, meticulously serves himself in accordance with the manners and rights befitting a knight. Though he places food on his plate, he cannot actually eat. During the meal, the other knights boast about their glorious victories in the battle. Agilulf stops them, correcting their exaggerations. Charlemagne, with no memories of these anecdotes, shrugs off any responsibility to intervene. A knight complains about the way in which Agilulf undermines their glory, but Agilulf insists that he is only interested in the truth.

Torrismund rises and issues a challenge to Agilulf’s knighthood.