In the 8th century, the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne’s court was home to the Twelve Peers: His foremost members. They were fearless and loyal subjects who carried out his orders to dispel the Umayyad after their invasion of Gaul and restore Christianity in the region. Although they succeeded, many gave their lives.
In the 12th century, the Matter of France, a body of medieval literature and legendary material associated with the history of France, the name Paladin first appears in the cycle Chanson de Geste (Old French for “Song of Heroic Deeds”). It details Charlemagne’s crusade and highlights the chivalry and heroism of the Paladin’s.
It was from then on that romantic portrayals of Paladin’s spread the world over. Although not all the names of these Paladin’s are known, it was well established that Roland was the leader of the Twelve Peers and Olivier displayed remarkable fearlessness and bravery.
The Paladin
The Middle French word paladin originates from the Latin word palatinus, which when translated, means “of the palace”.
Over time, paladin came to refer to other high-level officials in the royal courts. Today, a Paladin is defined as a knightly champion, often associated with a strong oath or commitment to a cause, typically involving justice, protection, and upholding good.
Our name is a creative ode to the great Paladin’s of the past. We believe our purpose is to champion the use of fountain pens and the art of handwriting, which has come eerily close to extinction with the invention of computers, tablets, and cell phones. We here at Paladin Pen Company are committed to our cause and wish to uphold good by providing a product worthy of the name.
If you would like to join our cause and become a “Pen Paladin” in the Legion of Legend, click the button below and join our e-mail list.
