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The Song of Roland
Please note that while dates and general historical context reflect scholarly consensus, the narrative content of this post is drawn from mythological traditions and not from historical records unless stated otherwise.
Pronunciation Guide
Charlemagne: SHAR-luh-mayn
Roncevaux Pass: RON-suh-voh pass
Chanson de geste: shahn-SON duh ZHEST
Zaragossa: sair-uh-GOSS-uh
Marsile: mar-SEEL
Ganelon: GAN-uh-lon
Olifant: OL-ih-fant
Durendal: DUR-en-dahl
Ebro: EE-broh
Baligant: BAL-ih-gant
Laisses: LESS-iz
The Song of Roland is an epic poem which tells of a small group of warriors who bravely made their final stand in the valleys between France and Spain. The commander was a Frankish knight named Roland, nephew of the legendary king, Charlemagne. The story of Roland’s valiant death became one of the most famous heroic legends of the Middle Ages.
The Song of Roland was written in France between the years 1040 and 1115 CE and is thought to be one of the earliest surviving works of French literature. The poem is part of a medieval literary tradition known as the Chanson de geste (which means songs of heroic deeds in Old French). It was partly inspired by the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, which took place in 778. This battle occurred during the Carolingian era, at a time when Charlemagne was expanding the Frankish Empire. He had led an army south into the Iberian Peninsula, but after an unsuccessful campaign, he was returning to France. As his army made the long journey through the narrow mountain passes of the Pyrenees, though, the rear guard was ambushed and overwhelmed. The attackers were, according to the Royal Frankish Annals, not a vast Muslim army as the poem describes, but a small group of Basque warriors, skilled in guerrilla warfare. The actual commander of the Frankish rear guard was, in fact, a knight named Roland, although he was likely unrelated to Charlemagne.
The poem begins shortly after a successful Frankish campaign in Spain. Charlemagne’s army had almost conquered the entire region. Only one city remained: Zaragosa.
Zaragosa was ruled by the Saracen king, Marsile. Realising that he could not defeat the Franks in battle, Marsile sent messengers to Charlemagne to offer a truce. His terms were that if Charlemagne left Saragosa untouched, he would convert to Christianity and give vast amounts of treasure to the Franks.
Tired of fighting, Charlemagne decided to accept Marsile’s proposal. He discussed with his most trusted knights who would be sent to Saragosa as a messenger. Count Roland, Charlemagne’s nephew, nominated his stepfather, Count Ganelon. Roland believed such a task would be an honour for any Frankish knight. Ganelon did not see it this way, however, and believed Roland’s true intention was to put him in danger.
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So, when Ganelon finally arrived in Saragosa, he secretly made a deal with King Marsile to kill Roland. Ganelon told King Marsile that Charlemagne intended to return to France through the narrow mountain passes of the Pyrenees and that Roland would be commanding the rear guard. He convinced Marsile that if he were to set up an ambush, he could isolate the rear guard and kill Roland.
Just as Ganelon had told Marsile, Charlemagne’s army began its journey home, and Roland commanded the rear guard. Marsile’s forces had set up their ambush in Roncevaux Pass. When they finally sighted Roland, they attacked.
The Saracens greatly outnumbered the Franks. Oliver, another of the knights stationed in the rear guard, urged Roland to sound his war horn, Olifant, to call back Charlemagne’s army. Roland, however, refused. He believed such an act was unbefitting of a Frankish knight. He raised his heavenly sword, Durendal and went to battle. The Franks fought valiantly, slaying many Saracen warriors. Marsile’s forces, though, were too vast. One by one, the Franks fell. Only when the earth was drenched in the blood of the Franks, and all hope for victory was lost, did Roland decide to sound his war horn. He blew on it so hard that blood erupted from his temples. Then, Roland died.
His right-hand glove, to God he offers it
Saint Gabriel from his hand hath taken it.
Over his arm his head bows down and slips,
He joins his hands: and so is life finished
God sent him down His angel cherubin,
And Saint Michael, we worship in peril;
And by their side Saint Gabriel alit;
So the count’s soul they bare to Paradise
Laisses CLXXVI
When Charlemagne heard the sound of Roland’s horn, he turned back immediately. All he found at Roncevaux Pass, though, were the bodies of his fallen knights scattered over the battlefield. Stricken by anger, Charlemagne hunted down the fleeing Saracen army and chased them into the river Ebro, where they drowned. Meanwhile, Baligant, an emir from Babylon, arrived at Roncevaux Pass to reinforce King Marsile’s army. He was a powerful commander and led a great Saracen army. Leaving little time for the Franks to recuperate, he attacked. In the battle that followed, much blood was spilt. But, in the end, Charlemagne killed Baligant in single combat, and, seeing their commander fall, the Saracen army scattered.
When Charlemagne returned to France, he pondered the events that surrounded Roland’s death. It was clear that he had been betrayed. And it could only have been by Ganelon’s hand. Charlemagne confronted Ganelon and arrested him on charges of treason. At the trial, Ganelon didn’t deny his actions but argued that because he acted against Roland and not Charlemagne, he wasn’t guilty of treason. Many of the Frankish nobles saw it that way, too. The council was therefore divided. It was decided that the only way to resolve the matter was trial by combat. Trial by combat was a common medieval practice in Europe to resolve legal disputes. Each side would choose a champion. Then the champions would duel, often resulting in death. It was believed that victory would be granted to whichever side was favoured by God. Ganelon chose a knight named Pinabel. Charlemagne chose a smaller and much less imposing knight named Thierry. Despite the size difference, Thierry killed Pinabel and Ganelon was executed.
That night, while Charlemagne slept, he dreamt that the angel Gabriel came to him:
Summon the hosts, Charles, of thine Empire,
Go thou by force into the land of Bire,
King Vivien thou’lt succour there, at Imphe,
In the city which pagans have besieged.
The Christians there implore thee and beseech.”
Right loth to go, that Emperor was he:
‘God!’ said the King: “My life is hard indeed!”
Tears filled his eyes, he tore his snowy beard.
Laisses CCXCI
Source
The Song of Roland
