Bulfinch’s Mythology · Character

Astolpho

English paladin whose wit and magical possessions, from a golden lance to a flying hippogriff, make him Charlemagne's strangest and most resourceful champion.

supporting

Also known as Bayard, Agrican, This Agrican

First appearance: Astolpho and the Enchantress

As a supporting figure in Bulfinch’s Mythology, Astolpho is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Paladin from England, listed among the twelve most illustrious knights.

In the storyThe Peers, or PaladinsOpen this moment free

Astolpho stands apart from the grim warriors of the Carolingian cycle by virtue of his humor and his taste for the marvelous, and Bulfinch places him among the paladins whose adventures shade into romance and allegory. His enchanted horn, his book of spells, and his journeys to strange lands give him a freedom the other peers lack. He matters because his exploits carry the narrative into territory where chivalry meets fantasy and satire.

See Astolpho in The Peers, or Paladins Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

62 connections

A slice of how Astolpho sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Other

Character groups

Greek and Trojan Heroes
Protagonist

+57 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Orlando
friendship · positive
Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's… How this plays out →
King Arthur
social · positive
King Arthur
social · positive
Orlando
friendship · positive
Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's… How this plays out →
Orlando
friendship · positive
Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's… How this plays out →

Orlando
Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's service.
King Arthur
Astolpho and King Arthur are acquaintances from different legendary cycles, occasionally crossing paths in adventure.
King Arthur
Astolpho and King Arthur are acquaintances from different legendary cycles, occasionally crossing paths in adventure.
Orlando
Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's service.
Orlando
Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's service.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Astolpho in Astolpho and the Enchantress

In the story

Astolpho appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Peers, or Paladins
Paladin from England, listed among the twelve most illustrious knights.
The Tournament
Draws first lot, is thrown, but later wins jousts using the enchanted lance.
The Siege of Albracca
Defends Bayard, defeats Gradasso with the enchanted lance, then travels to Albracca and is captured by Agrican.
Adventures of Rinaldo and Orlando
Fights on Rinaldo's side and is rescued by Rinaldo during the battle.
Astolpho and the Enchantress
Liberated by Melissa from his transformation into a myrtle; given a magical horn and his golden lance.
Astolpho's Adventures Continued, and Isabella's Begun
Escapes Alcina, receives magic book and horn from Logestilla, defeats Atlantes, frees prisoners, and acquires the Hippogriff.
Astolpho in Abyssinia
The adventurous paladin who rides the Hippogriff, aids King Senapus, and journeys to the terrestrial paradise and the moon.
The War in Africa
Descends to earth with a phial, restores the king of Abyssinia's sight, captures the South wind, creates horses from rocks, and leads an army to besiege Biserta.
Rinaldo and Bayard
Rinaldo's famous horse, stolen and later recovered.
Death of Rinaldo
Bayard, Rinaldo's horse, is a central figure; he is given to Charlot, survives multiple drowning attempts, and is finally killed.
A
Mentioned as one of Charlemagne's knights.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Astolpho unlock in the free preview.

See Astolpho in Astolpho and the Enchantress

See Astolpho in The Peers, or Paladins