Fierabras

thumb|The giant Fierabras. Engraving from the 1497 edition of Jehan Bagnyon's Roman de Fierabras le Géant (P. Maréchal et B. Chaussard, Lyon), BNF RES-Y2-993 Fierabras (from French: ', "brave/formidable arm") or Ferumbras' is a fictional Saracen knight (sometimes of gigantic stature) appearing in several chansons de geste and other material relating to the Matter of France. He is the son of Balan, king of Spain, and is frequently shown in conflict with Roland and the Twelve Peers, especially Oliver, whose prowess he almost rivals. Fierabras eventually converts to Christianity and fights for Charlemagne.

== Texts and adaptations == The oldest extant text of the story of Fierabras is a 12th-century () Old French chanson de geste'' of roughly 6,200 alexandrines in assonanced laisses. The story is as follows: the Saracen king Balan and his son Fierabras return to Spain after sacking the church of Saint Peter's in Rome and taking the relics of the passion. Charlemagne invades Spain to recover the relics and sends his knight Olivier de Vienne, Roland's companion, to battle Fierabras.