The Song of Tassilo
The Hasdinian poem of the deeds and death of Tassilo, the dear friend and paladin of Emperor Radimane
Summary
The Hasdinian Song of Tassilo is a regaling of the life and deeds of Radimane's trusted 2nd in command and best friend Tassilo. Tassilo was said to be a very prominent figure in the personal life of the future Emperor Radimane as he seems to have been in the company of the future King of the Hasdinians since the days under his father Einhard. Tassilo would have been in the retinue of the young leader and been in a position of honor at his side. Historically we know of Tassilo's accompanying of Radimane as he crossed the Rhor and invaded the Rasenna. In the war with the Rasenna, Tassilo distinguished himself mightily as he is acclaimed as being the soldier who personally slew Avitus, son of Emperor Nepotian. After killing Avitus, Tassilo took his personal blade and armor, the blade became famous in Tassilo's use and he renamed it Curtrendel which in Areul tongue means "Blade that Blinds".
After the Battle of Tongeren, Tassilo is awarded command over the southern Haklan Marches where he defends this newly won land from the various Galukian/Marsinian tribes who dwell in the mountain passes. It would be in this role that Tassilo would become most famous as Radimane mustered another invasion army to take Galukia from imperial hands. Tassilo himself heeded the call of his lord and mustered his men for war. Upon regrouping with the new imperial army, Queen Adalhaid, in the poem said to be pregnant with Radimane's son Karlo, presents Tassilo with a woven crown of flowers and says it will protect him to harm. Graciously, Tassilo accepts his queen's gift and seems to imply he knows that the queen is pregnant and speaks that he hopes the boy will become as gracious, courteous, and kind as his mother. Tassilo then gathers his men and rides out in the vanguard of the invading army as he accepts this dangerous task with due humility. Tassilo is supposed to be accompanied by Bruno, the son of Ferracutus, another of Radimane's paladins but the boy and his retinue do not arrive at the camp in time to leave with them and so stays in the main body of the invading army.
It would be in the vanguard, between the mountains of Haklan that Tassilo would meet his legendary end. The vanguard of the army was ambushed by Marsinian tribesmen and Tassilo would lead his men as they defended against the mountain tribesmen. Overwhelmed and outnumbered, the vanguard of the army dwindled and fell as arrow fire tore through them as they had not doned their armor as they had not expected a fight here. Tassilo, himself wounded at this time, fought viciously with Curtrendel cutting down every Marsinian who came to face him. However, the commander knew the rearguard needed to be made aware of the danger he and his men were now facing. When the man next to him was shot in the eye with arrow fire, Tassilo grabbed the man's Olivant horn and blew the horn so loudly that his own ears and those of nearby Marsinians began running red with blood as their eyes become bloodshot and every man nearby, including the famed paladin himself collapsed and died. So mighty was Tassilo's horn blast that according to the song's author,
After the Battle of Tongeren, Tassilo is awarded command over the southern Haklan Marches where he defends this newly won land from the various Galukian/Marsinian tribes who dwell in the mountain passes. It would be in this role that Tassilo would become most famous as Radimane mustered another invasion army to take Galukia from imperial hands. Tassilo himself heeded the call of his lord and mustered his men for war. Upon regrouping with the new imperial army, Queen Adalhaid, in the poem said to be pregnant with Radimane's son Karlo, presents Tassilo with a woven crown of flowers and says it will protect him to harm. Graciously, Tassilo accepts his queen's gift and seems to imply he knows that the queen is pregnant and speaks that he hopes the boy will become as gracious, courteous, and kind as his mother. Tassilo then gathers his men and rides out in the vanguard of the invading army as he accepts this dangerous task with due humility. Tassilo is supposed to be accompanied by Bruno, the son of Ferracutus, another of Radimane's paladins but the boy and his retinue do not arrive at the camp in time to leave with them and so stays in the main body of the invading army.
It would be in the vanguard, between the mountains of Haklan that Tassilo would meet his legendary end. The vanguard of the army was ambushed by Marsinian tribesmen and Tassilo would lead his men as they defended against the mountain tribesmen. Overwhelmed and outnumbered, the vanguard of the army dwindled and fell as arrow fire tore through them as they had not doned their armor as they had not expected a fight here. Tassilo, himself wounded at this time, fought viciously with Curtrendel cutting down every Marsinian who came to face him. However, the commander knew the rearguard needed to be made aware of the danger he and his men were now facing. When the man next to him was shot in the eye with arrow fire, Tassilo grabbed the man's Olivant horn and blew the horn so loudly that his own ears and those of nearby Marsinians began running red with blood as their eyes become bloodshot and every man nearby, including the famed paladin himself collapsed and died. So mighty was Tassilo's horn blast that according to the song's author,
"From the far reaches of those mountain peaks to the shores of the Ivanshar, men, women, and children heard the final Song of Tassilo and his great Olivant shout."
So the brave paladin of Radimane fell, surrounded by the bodies of his enemies and friends. When the relief army, led by Radimane himself came upon the field where Tassilo and his men lay, the Emperor dismounted his horse and cradled the body of his dead friend. Radimane then covered his dead friend's body in his own cloak and placed the wreath of flowers upon the body before it was stretchered out and paraded before the Emperor's army as a sign of Tassilo's great courage. It's said that the conquest of Galukia was done in honor of Tassilo by the grieving Emperor.Historical Basis
Tassilo is an attested figure in the court of Radimane during the time of his conquests. He is called Tassilus in Rasennan sources and is described as the Governor of the Haklan Mountains as well as the Mayor of the Palace under Radimane. This title was often used to describe those wielding secondary power in court systems like those of the Hasdinians and may be an allusion to his potential role as Radimane's heir should he die without a son of his own.
Spread
According to Hasdinian literary tradition, the death of Tassilo is the spark that destroys the cohesion of the paladins of Radimane and consequently the Krauling Empire. Tassilo's death is blamed on Bruno by Tassilo's friend and fellow paladin, the young Alard who challenges Bruno to a duel. In said duel, Alard runs Bruno through with a lance and kills him. In Bruno's last moments before being impaled, he sees the ghostly apparition of Tassilo sitting beside his beloved Remisa, daughter of Radimane.
Cultural Reception
Tassilo is a cultural hero in the eyes of those who claim lineage from the Hasdinians. From the shores of Hasdulia to the eastern plains of Great Salia his name is acclaimed as a paragon of Hasdinain chivalric virtue.
In Literature
In the Song of Tassilo, Tassilo's deeds are regaled and he is often a noble and good protagonist in contrast to the poem's lead antagonist, Bruno who is the son of another of Radimane's paladins, Ferracutus. In the poem, Bruno is an intensely jealous and envious figure who craves Tassilo's prestige in the line of Radimane's paladins. After Tassilo's death, Bruno claims Curtrendel but loses it during the campaign against the Hedbards in Lakia where it is said to reside somewhere.
In Art
Tassilo is a favorite character in depictions of Radimane's court for his military victories as well as his courageous and honorable demeanor. In more recent depictions on stained glass, he is often a beaming figure with casted light behind him that illuminates his bright blond hair.
(Tassilo is presented by Queen Adalhaid with a magical crown of flowers)
Date of First Recording
~100 A.E
Date of Setting
200-180 B.E
Related Locations
Related People
Related Organizations
(Depiction of Tassilo accepting the role as leader of the Vanguard)
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