Ogier the Dane was a legendary French hero whose mighty deeds and valorous feats, like those of King Arthur, Roland, and The Cid, were celebrated in medieval ballads.  

Charlemagne, the King of France, had ordered his youthful and handsome hostage, Ogier, to be hung; but when Ogier's bravery and skill in battle saved the French army from the pagan Saracens, the king made Ogier his standard-bearer instead.  Ogier served Charlemagne loyally, and soon he became so well known as a strong and fearless warrior that the mere mention of his name struck terror into the hearts of France's enemies.

The misfortunes of Ogier began anew, however, when his only son was killed by Charlemagne's son.  Insane with grief, Ogier vowed to kill the king's son, and for many long years he put up a courageous but desperate fight as he was pursued across France by Charlemagne.  

The many heroic deeds and perilous adventures of this long-suffering and valiant knight of eighth century France are told in The Misfortunes of Ogier the Dane, an English translation of a modern French version of a twelfth century chanson de geste, La Chevalerie Ogier de Danemarche, written by Raimbert of Paris.

From the dust jacket