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{{Short description|Alternately Namus, a character in the Matter of France literature}}
{{for|the village in [[Sălaj County]], [[Romania]]|Dobrin, Sălaj}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox fictional character
| name              = Naimon
| other_names       = Naimes, Naime, Naymon, Namo, Namus
| allegiance        = Charlemagne
| role              = Advisor, Duke of Bavaria (traditional)
| debut             = Chansons de geste (e.g., The Song of Roland)
| creator           = Unknown (oral tradition)
| family            = Sir Bertram (son, in later romances)
| characteristics   = Wise, trusted advisor, embodies good sense, moderation, and justice
}}
'''Naimon''', Duke of [[Bavaria]], also called '''Naimes''', '''Naime''', '''Naymon''', '''Namo''', and '''Namus''', is a character of the [[Matter of France]] stories concerning [[Charlemagne]] and his [[paladin]]s, and appears in [[Old French]] ''[[chansons de geste]]'' (like ''[[The Song of Roland]]'') and Italian [[romance (heroic literature)|romance]] [[Epic poetry|epic]]s.  He is traditionally Charlemagne's wisest and most trusted advisor.

In the ''[[Song of Roland]]'', Naimon supports [[Ganelon]]'s proposal to make peace with [[King Marsile]]. He does not suspect Ganelon's treachery. Later, he organizes the divisions of Charlemagne's army and participates in the battle against [[Baligant]].

In ''[[Le Pèlerinage de Charlemagne]]'' he is included among the [[Twelve Peers]].

In later romances he is given a son, Sir Bertram.<ref>Walpole, Ronald N. (1947). "'Syr Bertram the Baner' in the Middle-English Romance Otuel and Roland." ''Modern Language Notes'', Vol. 62, No. 3 (Mar. 1947), pp. 179–184</ref>

In ''[[Orlando Furioso]]'' he appears at the beginning of the story, holding [[Angelica (character)|Angelica]] captive.

Naimon's character may be summarized thus:

{{quote| This same Naimon, the traditional adviser of the king, this medieval Nestor, this uncompromising advocate of Right against Might, is the most unchanging figure among the heroes. He is the embodiment of good sense, moderation and justice.<ref>Comfort, William Wistar (1906). "The Character Types in the Old French Chansons de Geste." ''Proceedings of the Modern Language Association'', Vol. 21, No. 2, p. 326</ref>  }}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Matter of France}}
{{Orlando Furioso}}
{{The Song of Roland}}

[[Category:Fictional characters introduced in the 11th century]]
[[Category:Fictional knights]]
[[Category:Matter of France]]
[[Category:Characters in The Song of Roland]]
[[Category:Characters in Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso]]
[[Category:Fictional dukes and duchesses]]


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