Why are the Netherlands' soccer team jerseys orange? Why is there an "Orange River" in South Africa? Why are Ulster's Protestant extremists called the “Orangemen”? All such questions have a single answer, which can be summed up in the name William of Orange.
This figure was certainly well-connected: his historic prototype, William of Toulouse, was one of the most valorous of Charlemagne's lieutenants. After retiring from the world, William of Orange would even become known as Saint William of Gellone, and the Monastery of Gellone which he founded (now Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert) was named after him.
According to legend, he was assigned to defend the city of Orange, near which he is said to have fought in the mythical battle of Aliscamps, accompanied by his nephew Vivien – who, like Roland, tragically died in combat – and by his step-brother, the good giant, Rainouart.
This quick-tempered and generous man – the bravest of the brave, a master of disguise, monk and soldier – was passionately in love with beautiful Guibourc and a tireless defender of the Sarrasins. William, the “Short-Nosed Marquis” who was well-known for his punch and his thunderous laugh, remains one of the Middle Ages' most complex and appealing heroes.

Alain Corbellari is a Professor of Medieval French Literature at the University of Lausanne. His areas of interest are the history of medieval studies (specifically Joseph Bédier), the extent to which medieval culture has been accepted in modern times, and 12th- and 13th-century literature.