# Astolpho — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide

> Astolpho in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bayard, Agrican, This Agrican

**First appearance:** 0291-astolpho-and-the-enchantress

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/orlando)

_friendship_

Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's service.

### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur)

_social_

Astolpho and King Arthur are acquaintances from different legendary cycles, occasionally crossing paths in adventure.

### [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/king_arthur)

_social_

Astolpho and King Arthur are acquaintances from different legendary cycles, occasionally crossing paths in adventure.

### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/orlando)

_friendship_

Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's service.

### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/orlando)

_friendship_

Astolpho and Orlando are fellow paladins and cousins, sharing adventures in Charlemagne's service.

## In the story

### [The Peers, or Paladins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-peers-or-paladins)

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

### [The Tournament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-tournament)

Draws first lot, is thrown, but later wins jousts using the enchanted lance.

### [The Siege of Albracca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/adventures-of-rinaldo-and-orlando)

Fights on Rinaldo's side and is rescued by Rinaldo during the battle.

### [Astolpho and the Enchantress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/rinaldo-and-bayard)

Rinaldo's famous horse, stolen and later recovered.

### [Death of Rinaldo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/a)

Mentioned as one of Charlemagne's knights.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/astolpho
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters