The image below depicts the grizzly death of Ganelon who was a knight who betrayed Charlemagne's army to the Muslims which lead to the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.
Ganelon's name is said to derive from the Italian word inganno, meaning fraud or deception. The most famous appearance of Ganelon is in The Song of Roland, a poem based on the above-mentioned battle in 778, where he is a well-respected Frankish baron and Roland's own stepfather and Charlemagne's brother-in-law. According to this Chanson de geste Ganelon was married to Charlemagne's sister and had a son with her.
Ganelon resents his stepson's boastfulness and great popularity among the Franks and success on the battlefield. When Roland nominates him for a highly dangerous mission as messenger to the Saracens, Ganelon is so deeply offended that he vows vengeance. This vengeance soon turns to treachery as Ganelon plots an ambush at Roncesvaux. In the end, justice is served when Ganelon's comrade Pinabel is defeated in a trial by combat, thus Ganelon is torn limb from limb by four fiery horses.
Ganelon resents his stepson's boastfulness and great popularity among the Franks and success on the battlefield. When Roland nominates him for a highly dangerous mission as messenger to the Saracens, Ganelon is so deeply offended that he vows vengeance. This vengeance soon turns to treachery as Ganelon plots an ambush at Roncesvaux. In the end, justice is served when Ganelon's comrade Pinabel is defeated in a trial by combat, thus Ganelon is torn limb from limb by four fiery horses.
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