Ogier the Dane

Name

Ogier the Dane's first appearance (spelled Oger) in any work is in Chanson de Roland (c. 1060), where he is not named as one of the douzepers (twelve peers or paladins) of Charlemagne, although he is usually one of the twelve peers in other works. In the poeticized Battle of Roncevaux Pass, Ogier is assigned to be the vanguard and commands the Bavarian Army in the battle against Baligant in the later half. He plays only a minor part in this poem, and it is unclear what becomes of him, but the Pseudo-Turpin knows of a tradition that Ogier was killed at Roncevaux.

There is a mention of almost comparable antiquity in the Nota Emilianense written in Medieval Spanish (Old Castilian) (now dated to c. 1065–1075) where the warrior bears the nickname "Ogier of the short sword" (Oggero spata curta).

Historical references

The Ogier character is generally believed to be based on Autcharius/Otker, a Frankish knight who had served Carloman and escorted his widow and young children to Desiderius, King of Lombardy, but eventually surrendered to Charlemagne. The Ogier character could also have been partly constructed from the historical Adalgis (or Adelgis, Algisus), son of Desiderius, who played a similar role. The chanson de geste does parallel this, and Ogier does seek refuge with the Lombardian king Didier or Désier (as Desiderius is styled in French).

An unrelated Othgerius (Otgerius), a benefactor buried at the Abbey of Saint Faro in Meaux in France, became connected with Ogier by a work called Conversio Othgeri militis (ca. 1070–1080) written by the monks there. This tradition is reflected in the chanson of Ogier, which states that the hero was buried at Meaux (cf. § Legend at Meaux).

There is no Ogier of consequence in Danish history; at least, no Ogier as such appears in Saxo Grammaticus's Gesta Danorum. However, the Danish work Holger Danskes Krønike (1534) by Christiern Pedersen transformed Ogier into the son of King Gøtrek of Denmark, namely Oluf son of Gøtrek.

According to the Chronicon Sancti Martini Coloniensis (c. 1050) which purports to tell the early history of the Great St. Martin Church, Cologne, "Olgerus, dux Daniæ" ("Olger, War-Leader of the Danes"), one assisting Emperor Charlemagne, was a great benefactor to the St. Martin monastery pillaged by the Saxons in 778, serving to rebuild. However, this is not a contemporary record and may just be poetic fiction.

Legend in France

Besides the earliest sporadic mention in Chanson de Roland, a full career of Ogier from youth to death is treated in La Chevalerie Ogier de Danemarche, a 13th-century assonanced poem of approximately 13,000 lines, attributed to Raimbert de Paris, preserved in six manuscripts. It relates Ogier's early years, his rebellion against Charlemagne and eventual reconciliation. This is now considered a retelling. Ogier in a lost original "Chevalerie Ogier primitive" is thought to have fought alongside the Lombards because Charlemagne attacked at the Pope's bidding, as historically happened in the Siege of Pavia (773–74), that is, there was no fighting with the Saracens (i.e. Muslims) as a prelude to this.

The legend that Ogier fought valiantly with some Saracens in his youth is the chief material of the first branch (about 3,000 lines) of Raimbert's Chevalerie Ogier. This is also recounted in Enfances Ogier (c. 1270), a rhymed poem of 9,229 lines by Adenet le Roi. The story of Ogier's youth develops with close similarity in these two works starting at the beginning, but they diverge at a certain point when Raimbert's version begins to be more economical with the details.

In the 14th-century and subsequent versions of the romance, Ogier travels to the Avalon ruled by King Arthur and eventually becomes paramour of the fairy Morgan (the earliest known mention of her as his lover is in Brun de la Montaigne). This is how the story culminates in Roman d'Ogier, a reworking in Alexandrins written in the 14th century, as well as its prose redaction retitled Ogier le Danois (Ogyer le Danois) printed in a number of editions from the late 15th century onwards. The Alexandrines version may contain some vestiges of the lost 12th-century Chevalerie Ogier. It is also possible that Ogier the Dane has first appeared in the Arthurian context as the Saxon prince Oriolz the Dane (de Danemarche), sometimes known as the Red Knight, in the 13th-century Vulgate Merlin and its English adaptation Arthour and Merlin.

There are also several texts that might be classed as "histories" which refer to Ogier. Girart d'Amiens' Charlemagne contains a variant of Ogier's enfances. Philippe Mouskes's Chronique rimée (c. 1243) writes on Ogier's death. Jean d'Outremeuse's Ly Myreur des Histors writes of Ogier's combat with the capalus (chapalu), which is a giant cat monster known from the Arthurian cycle.

Horses and equipment

In Chevalerie Ogier, Ogier wins the horse Broiefort from his Saracen opponent Brunamont (cf. § Chevalerie Ogier). The horse is described as "all black, with a starred forehead" (cf. fig. right), and a young foal with its teeth shed (and regrown) four times over.

In the combat, he is provided with the sword Corte/Cortain by Caraheu. Brunamont also owned Nebuchadnezzar's helmet or sword (sword owned by Nabugodonosor) according to variant mss. of Chevalerie Ogier.

Years later, Ogier is brought out of confinement, when a fresh Saracen wave of attack requires his help. Turpin had secreted away his weapons and equipment, but did not grasp the whereabouts of Broiefort, and subsequently, Charlemagne's horse (one given him by Balant,≈Blanchart[?]) and also Didier's Pennevaire were tested, but none could withstand the weight of Ogier. But Broiefort had been kept at the monastery of St. Faro (Abbaye Saint-Faron de Meaux), and horse and master are reunited.

Baucent or Bauçant is the horse which Ogier conquers from Brehier/Braiher/Bréhus of Africa after defeating him in a decisive duel. Ogier loses his old horse Broiefort in the process, but now gains a new warhorse (cf. § Chevalerie Ogier). The name means "black and white" or "piebald".

Bulfinch's retelling mistakenly transposes the name Marchevallee here, which is in concert with Tressan who replaces the horse's name with Marchevallée but this is a mistake. As discussed below, Marchevalée is a horse won from a different character called Nordin, sultan of Babylone (Cairo), as recounted in what used to be called the chanson de geste fragment La Délivrance d'Ogier le Danois.

In the romance, when Ogier combats Bréhus/Bruhier's brother Justamon[t], the battle begins with the recognition that Ogier is mounting the very horse taken from the opponent's brother. There ensues a pitched battle by sword off-horse, Ogier bats down the enemy's sword, but Justamont reciprocates by knocking down Courtain, and they are interlocked, until they each draw their swords, and Ogier strikes off Justamont's arm. In the meanwhile their horses fought, and Bouchant gave such a kick with the hind legs that it perforated straight through the heart of Brun de Surie ("Brown of Syria"). Ogier chided that the other shall never ride Brun again, Justamont has time to repartee he needs not ride it since he intends to inherit (Bouchant) from his brother, but at that point his head is struck off (cf. fig. right).

Legend at Meaux

A legend of Conversio Othgeri militis was invented by the monks at the Abbey of Saint Faro at Meaux around 1070–1080. It claimed Othgerius Francus ("Frankish") to be the most illustrious member of Charlemagne's court after the king himself, thus making him identifiable with Ogier the Dane. He was buried in the abbey in a mausoleum built for him. His remains were placed in a sarcophagus lidded with his recumbent tomb effigy lying next to that of Saint Benedictus, and the chamber was enshrined with erect statues of various figures from the Charlemagne Cycle. A stone head later found in Meaux was determined to be Ogier's head from comparisons with these incunabula etchings. This stone head can still be viewed today.

This document was first commented on by Jean Mabillon in his Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti, printed editions of which include a detailed illustration of the mausoleum at St. Faro. The statues at the mausoleum even included la belle Aude, affianced to Roland, with one of the inscriptions there (according to Mabillon) claiming that Aude was Ogier's sister. It underwent restoration in 1535 by the Italian Gabriele Simeoni. That mausoleum is no longer preserved, but an illustration of the interior was printed in editions of Mabillon's Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti.

Chevalerie Ogier

Ogier is the main character in the poem La Chevalerie Ogier de Danemarche (written c. 1200–1215). The work consists of twelve parts (or "branches") of varying lengths. Attributed to Raimbert de Paris, in assonant decasyllabic, edited by Barrois (1842) in 13,058 verses, based on ms. B. with occasional readings from ms. A.

In the first branch of the poem (sometimes referred to as the Les enfances Ogier portion), (the motherless) Ogier is introduced as the "forhostaged" son of Godefroy of Denmark/Godfrey/Gaufroi) in the land of Charlemagne (v. 5), but as the king holds court at Saint-Omer at Easter, his envoys return from Godefroy with shaven moustaches and beards. Charles vows revenge (vv. 7–25) and confines Ogier to a castle-fort, but there he becomes intimate with the castellan's daughter, who bears him a son, named Baldwinet (Old French: Bauduinet, dim. of Baudouin). The poem predicts this child is destined to be killed using by Prince Charlot, alluding to the cause of later rift between Charlemagne and the grieving Ogier (vv. 26–90).

Back in the palace, Charlemagne summons the castellan to bring Ogier, and vows to have Ogier dismembered in revenge of the ambassadors, and Ogier blames his father Godefroy and stepmother Belissent for his woes (vv. 100–117). Ogier pleads innocence (vv. 118–122), but the vassals' support (vv. 124–155) and the queen's (v. 156) are to no avail.

When Charles (Charlemagne), at the Pope's request, launches a war campaign against Saracens invading Rome, Ogier is there initially as an unarmed bystander. But when the French suffer a setback, Ogier joins the fray, seizing the flag (oriflamme) and arms from a fleeing standard-bearer, Alory. Ogier comes waving the oriflamme to succor King Charles, and for his deeds, "Ogier is knighted by the king, who girds him with his own sword". Next, Ogier accepts the challenge of single combat from the Saracen warrior Karaheut of India, but enemies interrupt and abduct Ogier. Karaheut protests for Ogier's release, to no avail, and loses his engagement to the amiral's daughter Gloriande (Glorianda). The amiral then decides his daughter should marry the brutish warrior Brunamont of Maiolgre, but she is unwilling, and appoints the captured Ogier as her champion to fight on her behalf. Ogier, armed with Karaheut's sword Cortain (or Corte, Cortana, etc.), clips off the ear, then arm, and finally cuts down Brunamont and confiscates the horse Broiefort. Brunamont is struck dead by Ogier, who ties his head to the cruppers, and takes his horse, Brunamont's defeat proved decisive, the Saracens were routed, with the fleeing amiral (Corsuble) cut down dead by Naimes, and Danemon killed by Ogier. Charles provides 60 ships, 30 barge-boats, 20 dromons loaded with goods and provision for Caraheu, Gloriande, and Sadoine to go home.

Enfances Ogier

Adenet le Roi (d. c. 1300) composed Enfances Ogier by reworking only the first branch of the Chevalerie Ogier (upto the duel with Brunamont) for the first half of his work, then crafted a second half (c. 4000 lines) not in, or rather different from Chevalerie.

Thus in Adenet, is only after the duel with Brunamont that Carahuel gives the sword Cortain to Oggier. The subsequent kills of Corsuble by Naimes and then of Danemon by Ogier in Raimbert (cf. above) is changed to Ogier killing Danemon followed by Charlemagne lodging Joyeuse in Corsuble's head Adenet. This change of sequence allows Adenet to interpose a scene of Corsuble lamenting the death of his son.

Adenet also elucidates a clear reason for the grievance with the Danes, namely Gaufroi of Danemarche had warred against Constance of Hungary, Charlemagne's aunt causing damages, which led to the imposition of tribute and taking of hostage. Later, when the dust settles, the ill will between the houses is mended by the double marriage of Gaufroi with Constance, and his daughter with her son. Ogier's love interest, the castellan of Saint-Omer's daughter is here named Mahaut (var. Mahaus), who bears him Badouin.

Decasyllabic Roman d'Ogier

Modified verse versions were produced in the 14th century. The decasyllabic remaniement Roman d'Ogier appeared (31000vv., early 14th cent. or c. 1310 or c. 1350) which survived in only one unique copy (ms. P, BnF français, 1583) according to Knud Togeby. Since this work is more than twice the size of Chevalerie Ogier edited by Barrois, this article treats it as a separate work of romance, in accordance with Togeby The longer manuscript is expanded at the beginning by some 1370 verses, enough to indicate that the compiler intended to create "entirely new version of the story". Togeby then lists the suites as "Ogier en Orient" (53 leaves, c. 6900 verses), "Ogier chez la fée Morgue" (17 leaves, c. 2200 verses), and "Retour d"Ogier" (60 leaves, c. 7800 verses.

This reworking develops the plot of Ogier being invited to Avalon by Morgue la Fee (Morgan le Fay). It also introduces the situation of Ogier, preserved in the youth of a 30-year old, returns from Avalon to Paris after 200 years, and is stymied like an idiot. He subsequently loses the fairy ring that maintained his youth and transforms into an old man.

Alexandrine Roman d'Ogier

Later another remaniement in Alexandrines (dodecasyllables) appeared, designated by Togeby as Roman d'Ogier en Alexandrins (29000vv., mid-14th cent. or c. 1335 ) of 29,000 verses appeared, datable to c. 1335, extant in three manuscript redactions, plus a fourth, and this too expanded upon the Chevalerie of Raimbert, by adding an Avalon adventure (about 18,000 verses). The Alexandrine version as a whole remains unedited still today, according to the 2015 editors of the first fifteen laisses.

The Alexandrine version represented an intermediate stage between the decasyllabic romance and the later prose rendering. As to lineage, Doon de Mayence's eldest son Gauffroy (var. Gaudeffroy) conquered the (supposedly pagan) Danemarche and took the princess Danemonde for his queen (vv. 44–52) When she became pregnant she grew so large as if she were carrying two twins, and when she died while delivering Ogier (vv. 89–97). Gauffroy remarries with Germaine de Vanbiz (v. 109) (compare Belissent in both the expanded decasyllabic and Raimbert's Chevalerie Ogier). Here, Ogier's lover is named Guymer, who bears Ogier the son Badouïn out of wedlock.

In the Alexandrine version, Ogier's fate with Morgan (Morgue) is set in motion while he is still a newborn in his crib. Six fées (fays) visit the baby, each with a gift, and Morgan's gift is longevity and life living with her. As for the other fays, Gloriande promises he shall be the finest knight in Christendom, Sagremoire that he shall miss no battle, Foramonde that he be undefeated in combat, another ("white fay with the fleur-de-lis (fee blanche con fleur de liz") fulfillment of love, Beatrix granted him the gift of sweetness and grace. Morgan vowed he would never die until after he becomes her lover.

After a further career in the Orient (Acre, Babylone), Ogier is brought by the fay Morgan to Avalon to live with her, as predicted, and a son M[e]urvin is born. Ogier yearns to return to France but centuries have passed (the plot is analyzed in detail under § Contents of the romance below).

Overall, it is noted that the first half of the Alexandrines reworking is more or less faithful to the original work by Raimbert; one embellishment that does occur in this portion is the love development between Ogier and Didier's queen Aigremonde. In the second half, or the continuation portion, Ogier remains an important figure, but is no longer a solo act, as characters such as his nephew Gautier, and Caraheust, reintroduced from Branch I, perform actions of considerable significance in the plot. In the Alexandrine version, Caraheu's engages in a duel against Lagoullafre (l'Engoulaffre Babillant, cf. image right), and it had been messaged to him by God that should he be victorious, it should be taken as sign he should convert to Christianity.

Prose romance in print

The prose rendering appeared in the 15th century, and first printed (editio princeps) being the Lyons 1496 edition by Jean de Veral, probably followed y the Paris edition of Antoine Vérard (c. 1498). There is also a third early printed issue, Paris, Petit Laurens, also sans date, but approximately dated to c. 1495.

For the c. 1498 edition, there are three known copies printed on vellum, of which the Turin copy is particularly luxuriant, and issued as a facsimile edition by Knud Togeby (1967). The Turin exemplar is a presentation copy, printed on vellum instead of paper, and painted with full color miniatures to replace woodcuts at the beginning of each of 57 chapters. It alone has the dedicatory prologue to Louis XII, which allows for its more or less precise dating to the monarch's crowning 1498, together with a miniature of the genuflecting Vérard presenting the book to the monarch. The copy is held by the Turin National University Library (shelfmark XV.V.183). Some outer quires are handwritten in script resembling typeset to replace some leaves.

There are several other copies extant around the world, The copy of Henry VII of England (British Library C.22.c.1/IB 41217) is also on vellum, with miniatures in the style of the Master of Jacques de Besançon. The Paris BN copy is on vellum, too. The Pierpont Morgan Library copy in New York is on paper, and bears a [semi-]unique frontispiece of Ogier at birth.

Contents of the romance

The fairy-related parts of the Alexandrine romance at the beginning and later laisses were summarized by Keightley (1850) [1828]. Summary of the printed prose have been given by Rodolfo Renier (1891).

The first chapter of the prose edition names "Gloriande, Palestine, Pharamonde, Melior, Presine, Morgue". Ogier's meeting with the fays at birth binds his fate with Morgue/Morgan who becomes his lover in Avalon at a later turn in the prose redaction, as already iterated for the Alexandrine version.

But still while in the mortal world, Ogier has an enhanced career embellished by the romancers. Not only does Ogier save the daughter of the king of England and marries Princess Clarice, but Ogier goes to England and becomes its king of England, thereafter he visits his younger brother the King Guyon of Denmark and his nephew Gautier. However, Ogier having received God's decree to go to Acre and defend it, entrusts the rule of England to Bertrand de Bruyt, but at Charles's court Bertrand pretends Ogier to have perished in an attempt to marry Clarice. Ogier's nephew Gautier arrives to expose the lie, and accepting a duel for justice, wins and the traitor is hanged.

The work enters into the so-called "Ogier en Orient" portion of the suite as described above when Ogier, as anticipated, travels east to succor the Christian cause and eventually accept kingship over Acre. The particulars at beginning can be found in the cited summaries. Ogier arrives in Acre suffering from a great food shortage, wpecifically with the God-given mission to defeat Justamont, but first eliminates King Cormorant. Ogier defeats Justamont, a giant and brother of Bruhier (in a vicious fight involving their horses; cf. § Baucent above). But Ysoré (Bruhier's son, Justamont's nephew), Murgalant, and Moysan wage a battle of vengeance, in which King John is killed, and Ogier is elected the new king. However when Ogier seeks to make pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre he is tricked by two Knights Templar who lost relatives to Ogier, and Ogier is nearly conveyed into the hands of Isoré, son of Bruhier, who must certainly bear a profound grudge. But the ship goes astray, and Ogier is salvaged by some fisherman. In the foreign land of Babylone, Ogier blackens his face and pretends to be a Moor, and serves as a warrior under Noradin, the soudan of Babylone (Cairo). Ogier captures Engoullaffre (l'Engoulaffre Babillant, another brother of Bruhier. cf. § Alexandrine Roman d'Ogier), but discovers Christians in Noradin's prison. Ogier reencounters Caraheu among Noradin's generals, who cautions him against the soudan. Ogier now captures King Moisant/Moysant in battle, but his identity is divulged, and thrown in to prison together with Moisant.

Legend in Italy

In the beginning of Luigi Pulci (1432-1484)'s verse romance Morgante (1478), Canto I, strophe 17, Ugier il Danese (var. Uggiero, Uggieri il Danese) has his sword Cortana and his horse Rondello stolen by Orlando (Roland) while these were in the keeping of Ugier's wife Ermelina/Ermellina. The beginning potions of this work has been translated by Lord Byron. Pulci also mentions that authorities other than himself claim Ugier still lives in some sunken cave, fully armed and mounted on a horse, together with the lore that Charlemagne had thrown Orlando's sword Durindana in the water, and the sword rises up above surface on the anniversary of the battle (of Roncesvalles).

Legend in Scandinavia

The early form of the chanson de geste was translated in the 13th century into Old Norse as Oddgeirs þáttr danska ("Short story of Oddgeir danski"), Branch III of the Karlamagnús saga (c. 1240). This third branch of the saga is somewhat similar to Adenet's version, in that it adapts the first branch of the Chevalerie Ogier up to the duel with Brunamont (Old Norse: Brunament) to form the first 45 chapters, but diverges thereafter creating its own ending for the remaining nine chapters.

Later, an early Danish translation or abridgement of most branches of the saga was compiled under the title Karl Magnus krønike (some ms. copies date to 1480).

The 16th-century Olger Danskes krønike was Kristiern Pedersen's Danish translation based on the printed version of the French prose romance Ogier le Danois, which he started while in Paris in 1514–1515, probably completed during his second sojourn in 1527, and printed in 1534 in Malmö. Pedersen also fused the romance with Danish genealogy, thus making Ogier the son of Danish king Gøtrik (Godfred). The Danish version preserves, for example, the prologue of the newborn Ogier being visited by the six fays, except that in Pedersen's version, the fays (Danish: Feer) are replaced by Vetter (sing. vætte, i.e. "wights"). For the most part, the Danish adaptation follows the original French prose closely.

Scandinavian ballads

The Danish ballad "Holger Danske og Burmand" (DgF 30, TSB E 133) recounts the fight between the hero and Burmand. It exists in four variants (ABCD). Burmand is a Mohammedan is caricatured as monstrous, eating the flesh of Christians and drinking their blood in variants B (and D), and explicitly called a troll in variant D.

The ballad type is also attested in Swedish (SMB 216) and likewise tells the story of how Holger Dansk is released from prison to fight against a troll by the name of Burman.

Hero in art

The hero's popularity led to him being depicted on 15th- and 16th-century paintings in two churches in Denmark and Sweden. The Holger Danske and Burman painted on the ceiling of Floda Church in Sweden are attributed to Albertus Pictor around 1480 (cf. image left). It also includes the text Holger Dane won victory over Burman; this is the burden of the Danish and Swedish ballad, but the painting predates other written texts for this ballad.

There is also an portal removed from an old stave church in Norway, acquired by the then-Det Kgl. Museum for Nordiske Oldsager in 1861 (now part of National Museum of Denmark. There were later additions made to this portal in order to accommodate a wider door, which included labeled carvings of Ølger Danske and Burman (cf. image right). The merchant who sold it purported to be the Reinli Stave Church which he said was long demolished, but this provenance was disputed because that church still stood (and still stands). Nicolaysen guessed it to be from the ruined stave church at Öde (cf. Øyjar Chapel) in Røn parish.

For the plaster sculpture at Kronberg Castle cf. § Kronberg Castle below.

Literary analysis

The motif in the Ogier romance of "life inseparably tied with firebrand", i.e., motif-index "E 765.1.1 life bound up with candle"; or "765.1.2 (torch)" is paralleled by the Norse "Tale of Nornagest".

The motif is also familiar from the classical Greek tale about Meleager.

The connections to the Scottish tradition concerning Thomas the Rhymer's journey to Elphame (Fairyland) and the ballad of Tam Lin have been pointed out, but Francis James Child went so far as to assert these were derivatives of the Ogier romance.

Modern era

Kronborg Castle

Ogier in Danish legend is said to dwell in Kronborg Castle, his beard grown down to the floor. He will sleep there until the day when the country of Denmark is in the greatest peril, at which time he will awaken and save the nation. This is a common folklore motif, classed as Type 1960.2, "The King Asleep in the Mountain". Thomas Keightley (1834) records the rumour that the clanging of armour could still be heard "under the castle of Cronberg" [sic].

The legend is described in fuller detail by J. M. Thiele (1843). A condemned criminal (a slave) is sent down to investigate the noise and report his findings, in exchange of pardon. The man finds a group of warriors clad in iron sitting at a table, and the man at the edge (Holger Danske) rises up, breaking the table, for his beard had grown into it. Holger asks the slave for his hand, and the man is clever enough to hold out an iron bar instead, for Holger crushes it, leaving a mark. Impressed (that the slave withstood his clenching handshake), Holger quips "I'm glad there are still men left in Denmark."

According to the tour guides of Kronborg Castle, legend has it that Holger sat down in his present location after walking all the way from his completed battles in France. It was popularized by the short story "Holger Danske" written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1845.

The Hotel Marienlyst in Helsingør commissioned a statue of Holger Danske in 1907 from the sculptor Hans Peder Pedersen-Dan. The bronze statue was outside the hotel until 2013, when it was sold and moved to Skjern. The bronze statue was based on an original in plaster. The plaster statue was placed in the vaults at Kronborg Castle, also in Helsingør, where it became a popular attraction in its own right. The plaster statue was replaced by a concrete copy in 1985.

Dormant Holger elsewhere

Thiele gives other versions and similar legends about Holger elsewhere, e.g., that he sits in wait under Møgeltønder waiting for a time when Christendom is in need.

Another version is attached to the slopes of Rönneberga backar outside Landskrona in south Sweden (formerly a part of Denmark), an excavated burial mound found was named Höljer Danskes hög ("Holger Danske's hill"), and legends says Holger who was once king sits in the middle of it.

Other Danish folktales

Popular legend has it that whenever the Danish military is in dire need, Holger Danske will appear with his red shield at the forefront to lead the troops, Holger having gained immortality or an incorruptible body after partaking of a certain fruit in India.

One tall tale of Holger Danske's gigantic stature tells of his visit to Bagsværd to have a new suit of clothing made, but he was so gigantic, men had to stand on ladders to measure him. One of the tailors accidentally clipped Holger's ear with his scissor while trying to make a measuring-mark, and Holger who felt tickled mistook this to be a flea bite and crushed the unlucky man.

Another giant tale asserts that a certain witch gave Holger Danske a pair of spectacles (eyeglasses) that could see through the earth. When Holger lay flat on the ground and used it, it left two deep holes that filled up with water, and became a landmark near Copenhagen.

Danish patriotic works and resistance movement

The 1789 opera Holger Danske, composed by F.L.Æ. Kunzen with a libretto by Jens Baggesen, had a considerable impact on Danish nationalism in the late 18th century. It spawned the literary "Holger feud", which revealed the increasing dissatisfaction among the native Danish population with the German influence on Danish society. Danish intellectual Peter Andreas Heiberg joined the feud by writing a satirical version entitled Holger Tyske ("Holger the German") ridiculing Baggesen's lyrics. Ogier is also regarded as the symbol of national identity in Bernhard Severin Ingemann's 1837 epic poem Holger Danske.

During the 1940-1945 German occupation of Denmark, a patriotic presentation of Kunzen's opera in Copenhagen became a manifestation of Danish national feeling and opposition to the occupation. The largest armed group of the Danish resistance movement in World War II, Holger Danske, was named after the legend.

Other modern culture

G. K. Chesterton's The Ballad of the White Horse (1911) includes a character named Ogier the Dane as one of the chiefs among Danes attacking Wessex. Similarly, 'Ogier the Dane' is the archetypal name used to signify Danish invaders who have overrun Sussex in Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Land" (1916).

Ogier is the protagonist of The Viking (1951) by Edison Marshall, where he is portrayed as the child of Ragnar Lodbrok via his rape of the Northumbrian noblewoman Enid, mother of Aella of Northumbria; his chief rival is his paternal half-brother Hastein.

The protagonist of Poul Anderson's fantasy novel Three Hearts and Three Lions (1961), WWII Danish resistance member named Holger Carlsen, time warps and discovers that he is Ogier of the legend.

There has been a ferry named MS Holger Danske. It is featured in Per Petterson's novel I Curse the River of Time (2001).

There is an Ogier story event in the strategy video game Crusader Kings II.

Vernon Lee's short story "A Wicked Voice" posits an opera called Ogier the Dane which the lead character Magnus attempts to finish under duress.