14 minSummaryRead it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at cost
Audiobook editionPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
A giant champion tests Charlemagne’s knights in a world where Rome and holy relics lie at the heart of war.
The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone is an anonymous Middle English verse romance in the Charlemagne tradition. A proud Sultan of Babylon and his mighty son Ferumbras stand against Christian rulers and their champions. Ferumbras, the giant fighter drawn from French tales of Fierabras, brings size and strength to a struggle that reaches Rome.
The poem moves through direct speeches and energetically described battles. Charlemagne’s knights share bonds of loyalty and duty, while holy relics carry deep meaning as objects medieval Christians believe hold spiritual power. Through these conflicts, you enter the world medieval English audiences imagine around Charlemagne’s court: its champions, its enemies, and the beliefs that shape their struggle.
What you’ll discover
- A giant among knights Meet Ferumbras, whose great strength puts the best Christian champions to the test.
- The stakes of Rome Enter a conflict where the Sultan’s son brings war to the city of Rome.
- Relics at the heart Explore why objects linked to Christ and the saints matter within this medieval world.
- Loyalty at Charlemagne’s court Discover a court whose knights are bound to their emperor and to one another.
- Verse that presses forward Follow direct speeches and vigorous battles through a poem that keeps events moving.
Who will love it
Readers who love knights, duels, sieges and clever heroines will enjoy this poem. It also suits anyone curious about Charlemagne legends and the medieval English love of crusading tales.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- A wounded pride starts a war
- Treason succeeds where force has failed
- Courtesy survives a furious duel
- Floripas chooses mercy against her father
- Ingenuity keeps the tower standing
- The poem judges faith through action
- Loyalty matters more than birth
- The verse moves scene by scene
- A great war becomes personal
Who’s who
- LabanThe proud sultan of Babylon, who swears to destroy Rome and then Charlemagne after hearing of a robbed ship.
- FerumbrasLaban's son, a mighty Saracen champion who sacks Rome and then faces Oliver in single combat.
- FloripasLaban's daughter, clever and daring, who loves the French knight Guy and shelters the captured peers.
- CharlemagneThe king of France, who crosses the sea to avenge Rome and recover the stolen relics.
- OliverA French peer and cousin to the king, who fights Ferumbras alone though he is wounded.
- RolandCharlemagne's fiery nephew and wielder of the sword Durendale, quick to take offence and quick to rescue friends.
- Guy of BurgundyA young French knight who reaches Rome too late and wins the heart of Floripas.
- Lukafer of BaldasA cunning Saracen king who seeks Floripas as his reward and plots the false banner that wins Rome's main tower.
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet or computer, once the book texts are online.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, once the book texts are online.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 14 minutes, to read today.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout. The eBook opens when the book texts go online.
How it works
- Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
- Read and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, 5 accounts for the price of one.
- We remind you first. Free for 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment. Then USD 0.14 a day in your first year on the yearly plan and USD 0.27 a day after, or USD 0.66 a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.
Bought on its own? Every eBook and printed book you buy without the plan carries our 30-day money-back guarantee.
25 languages, side by side
The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede Rome in 25 languages, side by side, paragraph by paragraph, once the book texts are online: the way to learn a language with a book you love.
The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede Rome
by Anonymous · 1400
A heathen sultan sacks Rome, and his daughter Floripas frees the captured knights of Charlemagne.
Medium level5–10 hours to read20 languages
Learn a language with medium classicsSpanishFrenchGermanItalianJapanesePortugueseEnglishHow we measure levels
Excellent
Free for 3 months · starts right away, on any device
Read free3 months free · cancel anytimeRenews every year · Cancel anytimeHow it works
- Read, large type too
- 25 languages, side by side
- Print and large print at cost
- 5 accounts for the price of one
In short
Picture a sultan resting under a holm tree after a hunt in Spain. A ship drifts to the shore, and its crew say the Romans have robbed them and killed their friends.
The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede Rome at a glance
- Reading time
- About 5 h 10 min4 h 5 min fast, 6 h 5 min slow
- Length
- 73,200 words
- Library level
- Medium longer sentences, everyday words
- First published
- 1400by Anonymous
Reading time at 238 words a minute (fast 300, slow 200). How long the classics take to read · Updated
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
A sultan's hunt turns into a war oath
The poem opens with a short sermon. God made all things wisely, and those who keep his commandments find grace. The poet promises one example, the fall of Rome.
Then the scene moves to Agremore in Spain. Laban, sultan of Babylon, holds court there with twelve kings. In spring he rides out to hunt boar, wolf and bear. Tired from the chase, he rests under a holm tree and sees a great ship sailing close to shore. Its crew say a storm drove them to Rome, where the Romans robbed them and killed many of them.
Renews every year · Cancel anytime
You looked at
Which edition is right for me
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 14 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
Details
- First published
- 1400
- Language
- English
- Level
- Medium level
Cite this edition
The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede Rome. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-romaunce-of-the-sowdone-of-babylone-and-of-ferumbras-his-sone-who-conquerede-rome.
The romaunce of the sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras his sone who conquerede Rome. (2026). Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-romaunce-of-the-sowdone-of-babylone-and-of-ferumbras-his-sone-who-conquerede-rome (Original work published ca. 1400)
The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede Rome. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-romaunce-of-the-sowdone-of-babylone-and-of-ferumbras-his-sone-who-conquerede-rome.
@book{anonymous2026romaunce,
title = {The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede Rome},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-romaunce-of-the-sowdone-of-babylone-and-of-ferumbras-his-sone-who-conquerede-rome},
note = {First published ca. 1400}
}
Free gifts
USD 580 in free gifts when you start
Every book in every format and in 25 languages, 5 accounts for the price of one. Nothing to pay today.
- 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by side
USD 170FREE - Every eBookIn 25 languages, any device
USD 120FREE - 15-minute summariesRead in 25 languages
USD 60FREE - Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large print
USD 60FREE - 5 accounts for the price of oneA shelf for everyone at home
USD 170FREE - A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for all
FREE
Questions about The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede Rome
Can I read it free?
Yes. The first key idea of the 15-minute summary is free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 3 months, with the eBook to keep, plus 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.
Can I buy the printed book?
Soon. The paperback, hardcover and large print editions are being prepared. Choose Paperback or Hardcover above, leave your email, and we tell you the day you can order it, printed at cost.
How many accounts do I get?
Five, for the price of one: you and 4 more people, each with their own login, shelf and their own place in every book.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. Nothing is charged in your first 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment.
What is The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone about?
It tells how Laban, the sultan of Babylon, destroys Rome and carries off its relics, and how Charlemagne and his twelve peers fight to win them back. The story includes a famous duel, a prison rescue and a siege.
Who is Ferumbras in the poem?
Ferumbras is Laban's son, a giant of a warrior and king of Alexandria. He sacks Rome, fights Oliver in a long duel and later asks to be baptized. He is also called Floreyn after his conversion.
Who is Floripas and why does she matter?
Floripas is Laban's daughter. She rescues Roland, Oliver and the other peers from prison, keeps them safe in her tower and loves Guy of Burgundy. Her choices drive much of the second half of the story.
More by Anonymous
See all their booksMore like this
Our mission
The library burned once. We are building it back.
Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.
Read our story- Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
- No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
- For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing
Popular in myths & legends
See all
