Brewer's: O'gier the Dane

(2 syl.). One of the paladins of King Charlemagne. Various fairies attended at his birth, and bestowed upon him divers gifts. Among them was Morgue, who when the knight was a hundred years old embarked him for the isle and castle of Avalon, “hard by the terrestrial paradise.” The vessel in which he sailed was wrecked, and Ogier was in despair, till he heard a voice that bade him “fear nothing, but enter the castle which I will show thee.” So he got to the island and entered the castle, where he found a horse sitting at a banquettable. The horse, whose name was Papillon, and who had once been a mighty prince, conducted him to Morgue the Fay, who gave him (1) a ring which removed all infirmities and restored him to ripe manhood; (2) a Lethean crown which made him forget his country and past life; and (3) introduced him to King Arthur. Two hundred years rolled on, and France was invaded by the Paynims. Morgue now removed the crown from Ogier's head and sent him to defend “le bon pays de France.” Having routed the invaders, Morgue took him back to Avalon, and he has never reappeared on this earth of ours. (Ogier le Danois; a romance.)

O'gier the Dane. Represented as the Knave of Spades in the French pack. He is introduced by Ariosto in his Orlando Furioso.

The swords of Ogier the Dane. Curtana (the cutter), and Sauvagine. (See Morris: Earthly Paradise, August.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

Ogleby

Oghris