Durendal, translated: Islamic object genealogies in the chansons de geste
Shirin A. Khanmohamadi
The transfer of Saracen arms into Frankish ownership is a leitmotif many chansons de geste, but one whose significance for translatio imperii has yet to be elucidated. In this essay, I focus on the Chanson d’Aspremont, twelfth-century epic set in Calabria that narrates pre-history Durendal, Roland’s sword Song Roland fame, as an object inherited by from its former royal Muslim owner. Drawing cultural history and number object-translation models derived material spolia studies, read sword’s symbolic evidence Norman desire appropriation Fatimid imperium Sicily.
postmedieval|Humanities Commons CORE (Modern Language Association / Columbia University)