Tradition: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternative Names: Der Riese im Ardennerwald, The Ardennes Giant
Category: Giant
The Myth
The Giant of the Ardennes Forest was a monstrous being who possessed a magnificent gemstone that shone as brightly as the Sun. The giant had mounted the precious jewel in the center of his shield, granting it magical powers that made the shield invulnerable to ordinary weapons. When Emperor Charlemagne learned of this treasure while holding court at Aachen, he expressed his desire to possess it. Six of his bravest companions immediately volunteered to venture into the Ardennes Forest and seize the jewel for their emperor. Among them was the father of the young Roland, the hero who would later become famous in legend. Although Roland was considered too young to lead the expedition, he pleaded until he was permitted to accompany his father as a shield-bearer.
When the knights reached the forest, they separated to search more effectively for the giant. For three days and three nights, they wandered through the dense undergrowth without finding him. On the fourth day, exhaustion overcame Roland’s father, who lay down to sleep beneath an ancient oak tree. As soon as his father began to snore, Roland spotted the giant descending from a mountain, his shield flashing with brilliant sparks of light. Without waking his father, the young hero seized his weapon, mounted his warhorse, and charged toward the enormous opponent.
The giant looked down upon Roland with contempt and mocked him, but the young warrior refused to retreat. A fierce battle began. The giant swung a heavy iron bar at Roland, who swiftly dodged the crushing blow and hurled his spear at the monster. However, the spear bounced harmlessly off the giant’s enchanted shield, protected by the magical gemstone. Realizing that ordinary attacks could not penetrate the shield’s power, Roland drew his sword in both hands and struck at the giant’s left hand, severing it from his body. Since the giant had been holding the shield with that hand, the magical protection was broken, and he lost his courage.
Roland then defeated the giant completely by cutting off his head. He claimed the radiant gemstone from the fallen giant’s shield and returned with it to Emperor Charlemagne. The emperor and his court were astonished when the young shield-bearer presented the precious jewel. Through his courage, quick thinking, and skill in battle, Roland had accomplished a feat that the other knights had failed to achieve, securing the magical treasure for his emperor.
Sources
La Fontaine, Edmond de. Luxemburger Sagen und Legenden. Gesammelt und herausgegeben von Ed. de la Fontaine. Luxemburg: Jos. Beffort, 1882.