What is The Song of Raoul of Cambrai about?

Answer 1

Raoul de Cambrei is a chanson de gest from the 11th century. It is about how Raoul de Cambrei, when he is 3 years old, loses his father's fief because his father dies and Raoul's uncle, the King of the Franks, grants the fief to another nobleman. As compensation, when Raoul reaches the age of 15, King Louis promises to give him the first fief that becomes available (i.e. the first fief whose lord dies). The fief that becomes available (Vermandois), however, has three legitimate heirs: all noble warriors, all of good age to be lords. Raoul sets forth with barons who support his cause, as well as his vassal, Bernier, who is the bastard child of Ybert, one of the sons of the Count of Vermandois. Raoul burns the first village in the fief that he comes upon, and ends up burning a monestary in which Bernier's mother resides, killing her in the process. When Bernier confronts Raoul for this, Raoul strikes him in the head, causing Bernier to defect to Ybert and the other heirs to Vermendois. An epic battle ensues in which Raoul is killed. However, Raouls nephew (Gautier) and his uncle (Guerri the Red) continue fighting for the fief of Vermandois until a truce is forced by the Archbishop of Rheims.