Taillefer (Latin Incisor-ferri, both meaning 'hewer of iron') was the surname of a Norman ioglere (juggler or jester) whose exact name and place of birth are unknown (sometimes his first name is given as "Ivo"). He travelled to England during the Norman Invasion of 1066, in the train of William the Conqueror. At the Battle of Hastings Taillefer recited the Chanson de Roland to the Norman troops while juggling with his sword. An English soldier ran out to challenge him and was killed by Taillefer, who then charged the English lines and was engulfed. Strangely, Taillefer is not depicted, by name at least, on the Bayeux tapestry.

Wace mentions Taillefer in the Roman de Rou:

Taillefer, qui mult bien chantout,

sor un cheval qui tost alout,

devant le duc alout chantant

de Karlemaigne e de Rollant,

e d'Oliver e des vassals

qui morurent en Rencesvals.

-Roman de Rou, lines 8013-8019

Translation:

Taillefer, who sang right well,

Upon a swift horse

Sang before the Duke

Of Charlemagne and of Roland

And of Oliver and their vassals

That died at Roncesvalles.

The story of Taillefer is also told by Geoffrey Gaimar, Henry of Huntingdon, William of Malmesbury and in the anonymous Carmen of the Battle of Hastings. The accounts differ, some mentioning only the juggling, some only the song, but have elements in common.

A version drawn from all the sources can be found in Winston Churchill's History of the English-Speaking Peoples

11th century births | 1066 deaths | Normans