Amery of Pavy (or Aimery of Pavia) is a significant character in the medieval French chanson de geste, Huon of Bordeaux. He is depicted as a powerful Saracen emir or king who rules over the city of Pavia (Pavy).
In the narrative, Amery of Pavy is the father of Clarice, a beautiful princess with whom the protagonist, Huon of Bordeaux, falls in love and eventually marries. Huon's quest to win Clarice often involves overcoming obstacles presented by Amery, who initially resists the union due to Huon being a Christian knight and Amery's own position as a Muslim ruler.
A key development in Amery's character arc is his eventual conversion to Christianity, a common motif in medieval romances that often depict the triumph of Christian faith over other religions. This conversion allows for the marriage of Huon and Clarice and integrates Amery and his realm into the Christian sphere of the story. His character serves to introduce challenges for the hero and to represent the exotic and "other" world that the Christian knight must navigate and ultimately integrate or convert.
Huon of Bordeaux itself is one of the most famous and influential of the chansons de geste, known for its fantastical elements, including the figure of Oberon, the King of the Fairies. Amery of Pavy plays a crucial role in the romantic and political dimensions of this epic tale.