Commentary Par XVIII 46

William, Duke of Orange (ca. 750-812), adviser of Charlemagne and leader in several military successes of the Christian forces, but still better known from the cycle of poems celebrating his valor.  Renouard, while not a historical figure, was perhaps believed by Dante to be one.  As Charlemagne and Roland were paired in one cycle of French chansons de geste, so were William and Renouard in another.