douzeper

noun[in the plural]3

1. •
   (rare, historical) One of the legendary “twelve peers” or renowned warriors of Charlemagne, the Emperor of the Romans from 800 to 814.

   • Cortine, Corteyne, or Cortayn was the name given to the sword of Ogier, one of the celebrated Douzeperes of Charlemagne. — 1883
2. •
   (rare, historical) One of the twelve nobles granted feudal territories or episcopal sees by the King of France in return for their fealty (namely the Archbishop-Duke of Rheims; the Bishop-Dukes of Laon and Langres; the Bishop-Counts of Beauvais, Chalons, and Noyon, the Dukes of Normandy, Burgundy, and Aquitaine; and the Counts of Toulouse, Flanders and Champagne).
3. •
   (rare) A person considered to be like or in the model of Charlemagne’s peers; someone considered a great hero or paladin.

   • Big looking like a doughty Doucepere, / At last he thus, Thou clod of vilest clay, / I pardon yield, and that with rudenes beare; […] — 1590