In the poem Raoul of Cambrai, the story is told of a young boy named Raoul who succeeds his father after his death. Eventually, Raoul is dubbed a knight by his uncle, King Louis. As Raoul grows up, he and a boy around his age become friends and Raoul when Raoul is knighted, he makes him his squire. The young boy's name is Bernier. Bernier is the bastard son of Ybert of Ribemont, and is very fond of Raoul until he makes a fatal mistake that would end their friendship. Bernier ends up killing Raoul in a most horrific way, after Raoul burns Bernier's mother alive along with one hundred other nuns in the church of Origny. Throughout the poem, we see the betrayal done to Bernier as well as his vengeance on Raoul. Key issues are seen as to what is important to Bernier, what his motivations were, and how he was driven to continue fighting the way he did.
             It seemed as if Bernier was constantly being talked down to by almost everyone who came in contact with him. The fact that he had an unwed mother always seemed to come up. Despite the hurtful remarks though, he aimed to please his lord and do his bidding. Even when Raoul was about to invade Origny, Bernier did all that was in his power to try and be like-minded with what Raoul wanted. The phrase "By my faith" and different variations of this phrase is used frequently in this poem by Bernier. Another important aspect to this individual is his religion. In times of trouble or confusion, he always cries out to God for guidance. Also, he couldn't go against the other issue that was important to him, which his mother. He says to Raoul "Sire, a great favor I ask; I am your liegeman, and, by St. Simon, never shall my heirs be reproached with any treason committed by me. But I pray, in God's name, that you will not make war against the sons of Herbert." (Crosland, 31). After this statement, Bernier says nothing more of the matter. He just said what was on his...