Undismayed by one failure, however, Renaud sprang boldly upon Bayard; and, in spite of all the horse's efforts, kept his seat so well that his father formally gave him the promised mount and sword.
When restored to health by the tender nursing of his loving wife, Aymon returned home with his family.

Then, hearing that Charlemagne had returned from his coronation journey to Rome, and was about to celebrate the majority of his heir, Aymon went to court with his four sons.
During the tournament, held as usual on such festive occasions, Renaud unhorsed every opponent, and even defeated the prince.

This roused the anger of Charlot, or Berthelot as he is called by some authorities, and made him vow revenge.

He soon discovered that Renaud was particularly attached to his brother Alard, so he resolved first to harm the latter.
Advised by the traitor Ganelon, Chariot challenged Alard to a game of chess, and insisted that the stakes should be the players' heads.
This proposal was very distasteful to Alard, for he knew that he would never dare lay any claim to the prince's head even if he won the game, and feared to lose his own if he failed to win.

Compelled to accept the challenge, however, Alard began the game, and played so well that he won five times in succession.