Taillefer facts for kids
Taillefer was a brave Norman performer, often called a jongleur or minstrel. His name means "hewer of iron." We don't know his real first name or where he was born. He came to England in 1066 with William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England.
At the famous Battle of Hastings, Taillefer rode in front of the Norman army. He sang the "Song of Roland" and juggled his sword! An English soldier came out to fight him, and Taillefer killed him. Then, Taillefer bravely charged the English lines by himself, still singing. He was surrounded and killed at least four more English soldiers. It's said that the king believed this bravery helped the Normans win, even though they were outnumbered. Oddly, Taillefer isn't shown by name in the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
Contents
Who Was Taillefer?
Taillefer was a special kind of entertainer called a jongleur or minstrel. These performers in the Middle Ages would sing, play music, tell stories, and even do tricks like juggling. Taillefer was part of William the Conqueror's group when they sailed from Normandy to England in 1066. This journey led to the Norman conquest of England, a very important event in English history.
Taillefer at the Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings happened on October 14, 1066. It was a huge fight between the Norman army, led by William the Conqueror, and the English army. Just before the battle began, Taillefer rode his horse in front of everyone. He sang a famous old French song called the "Song of Roland," which was about brave knights and battles. As he sang, he also juggled his sword, throwing it up and catching it!
One English soldier came forward to challenge him, and Taillefer defeated him. Then, Taillefer, still singing, charged right into the English army all by himself. He fought bravely, killing at least four more English soldiers before he was killed. His amazing courage was remembered by many.
Taillefer in History and Stories
Many old writers and historians have told the story of Taillefer.
Early Accounts
Writers like Wace, Geoffrey Gaimar, Henry of Huntingdon, and William of Malmesbury all wrote about Taillefer. They didn't all agree on every detail. Some said he only juggled, while others focused on his singing. But they all agreed that he was a brave and unusual figure at the Battle of Hastings.
For example, the writer Wace mentioned Taillefer in his long poem, the Roman de Rou:
|
Taillefer, who sang right well, |
This part of the poem tells us that Taillefer sang about famous heroes like Charlemagne and Roland while riding his fast horse in front of Duke William.
Later Works Inspired by Taillefer
Taillefer's story was so interesting that it inspired later artists. In 1816, a German poet named Ludwig Uhland wrote a poem about him. Later, in 1903, a famous composer named Richard Strauss turned that poem into a piece of music for singers and an orchestra. This musical work was also called "Taillefer."
Even famous leaders like Winston Churchill, who wrote a book called A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, included Taillefer's story.
A Surprising Coincidence
The writer Robert Ripley, known for his "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" stories, found a surprising connection between Taillefer and a famous American general, Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Here are the interesting coincidences:
- Taillefer sailed from Normandy to England for the battle. Many centuries later, during World War II, the Allies landed in Normandy on D-Day. General Eisenhower was the leader of those Allied forces.
- Taillefer died on October 14, 1066, at the Battle of Hastings. General Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890.
- The name "Eisenhower" comes from German and can be translated to mean "hewer of iron," which is the same meaning as Taillefer's name!
These are just fun coincidences, but they show how Taillefer's story has continued to be remembered through history.
