Traces of Orality in Charlemagne’s Thieving Adventure

Abstract

Tradition offers two different names for Charlemagne’s helper in his thieving expedition: Basin or Elegast. This paper summarizes earlier critics’ ideas why this occurs, then proposes the concept of “oral reservoir.” It implies nonlinear choices to complete and complement tales during recounting. Examining all surviving versions, we find both intertwining of motifs and migration of motifs between versions. “Alegast” would have been a choice made in the Krønike, influenced by the presence of ballads with that name in Denmark.