Archbishop Turpin

Archbishop of Reims. Archbishop Turpin was one of Charlemagne's advisers and knights. Turpin was a very formidable warrior and he played a prominent role in Chanson de Roland. According to the Pilgrimage of Charlemagne, Almace was the name of Turpin's sword.

Turpin inspired the knights to fight the battle of Rencesvals. Among the Saracens he killed: Siglorel.

Archbishop Turpin was the last to die before Roland's death. Sir Gautier del Hum was killed in a volley of javelins and arrows, in which Turpin also received his wounds. One spear broke his helmet and four spears pierced his body, and yet he was strong enough to kill as many as four hundred Saracens. When Roland fainted, the archbishop went to fetch water, but his heart finally failed after massive blood loss.