Bayard the steed

This is a folk tale from the Middle Ages. A tale that has been told for many centuries in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. It tells the tale of a large magnificent horse called Bayard and the four children or young knights who rode him in their adventures and revolt against the emperor Charlemagne.

It is a heroic tale that shares themes of rebellion against tyranny, the connection between humans and horses, the bond between brothers, and the clash between paganism and Christianity.

Duke Aymon of Dendermonde was in disagreement with Charlemagne of France. As a friendly gesture and to restore the peace Charlemagne agrees to the marriage of his cousin with Lord Aymon. Four sons are born from this marriage: Richard, Guiscard, Alard and Reynaud.

The boys grow up to be strong young men and eventually, they are knighted by their father. To seal their knighthood they each have to find a horse. Richard, Guiscard and Alard select their horses and are soon on their way. Reynaud however is very tall and strong and he is determined to find his right equine partner. During his search he finds out he is too tall for some horses and too strong for others, he becomes desperate and disillusioned and eventually turns to his father for help. A knight can of course not be without a horse.

Duke Aymon knows exactly what to do and he takes Reynaud to a castle where the frightful horse Bayard is kept. This large horse with a bold personality, waving manes and fiery eyes never found his human match. People stayed away from him but Reynaud was different. Without any fear, he approaches the feisty and dangerous horse. Bayard lashes out and hits the young knight several times. A struggle unfolds and with the help of the Wizard Maugris eventually Reynaud and Bayard come out as partners. From then on the steed follows Reynaud wherever he goes and they develop a secret language together. They become inseparable and invincible.

One day, when the brothers are in Paris, they are challenged by Luis, Charlemagne’s son. Luis envies the trustworthy horse Bayard and he wants to buy the horse. Reynaud would never sell his trusted partner and friend. Luis challenges the four brothers in a live chess game which he loses. Raynaud kills Luis, which naturally leads to a rupture in the relationship between the two families. To escape the fury and the expected counteraction, the four sons of Lord Aymon flee the scene on the back of the magical and fast Bayard.

For years a cat-and-mouse game between Charlemagne and the brothers continues. The four young knights manage to get away from the powerful Charlemagne time and again on the back of the powerful Bayard and with the help of the wise wizard Maugris.

After seven years Charlemagne captures Duke Aymon in an attempt to seduce the four brothers to come to an agreement. Tired from the yearlong chase he proposes peace and the release of their father in return for Bayard. Reynaud and his brothers hesitantly agree to give up Bayard to save their family and the wider community from more pain and suffering, knowing that Charlemagne will kill Bayard.

With heavy stones tied around its neck, the powerful horse is thrown into the river. Bayard manages to destroy the stones around its neck and comes out of the water in full power while whinnying for Reynaud. Heavier stones are attached to the horse and again Bayard smashes the stones and manages to come out of the water looking for Reynaud. Finally, stones are attached to Bayard’s legs to ensure this time he will drown. Reynaud can’t look at the torture his friend is subjected to and he turns his back. Bayard does resurface again but he can’t find his trusted friend, without Reynaud’s support he succumbs to the cold water of the river and drowns.

Bayard’s physical body died that day but his spirit survived. Every 10 years this legend and his power are revived in Dendermonde. Bayard, a magical creature, part of a powerful union that is possible between beings and the compelling extraordinary human-horse bond.