Pinabel is Ganelon’s friend, a fierce and articulate warrior, whom Ganelon summons to his own defense at his trial. Pinabel promises that if Ganelon is sentenced to death by anyone, Pinabel will face that man in single combat. When Thierry demands Ganelon’s execution, Pinabel fights him and is finally slain.
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Pinabel Character Timeline in The Song of Roland
The timeline below shows where the character Pinabel appears in The Song of Roland. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Laisses 16–31
...task. Ganelon just tells them to greet his wife, his son Baldwin, and his friend Pinabel. Then he sets off, soon catching up with the pagan envoys.
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Laisses 265–291
...continue to debate, Ganelon gathers 30 of his kinsmen, led by his valiant, articulate friend, Pinabel. He urges Pinabel to get him out of this predicament. Pinabel promises that if any...
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Fearing Pinabel, the gathered vassals discuss the situation in soft voices. They decide that it’s best to...
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...He sentences Ganelon to hang. If anyone disputes this, Thierry is ready to fight them. Pinabel then gives Charlemayn his glove and vows to fight Thierry. Thierry gives his glove as...
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To prepare for combat, Pinabel and Thierry make confession and attend mass. Then they return to Charlemayn, don their armor,...
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