The Song of Roland
French Literature
Believed to be the beginnings of French
literature
Manuscript dates to 1100 AD, original
poem is much older
No known author
Medieval Epic
Focus on loyalty and valor (chivalry)
Expressed character of a people
Historically based
Prized adventure over accuracy
Performed long before it was written
Historical Facts with a Twist
King Charlemagne ruled the Franks (768814)
The Song of Roland is a poem which took
a minor event from his rule and
embellished
Historical Truth
Dispute between the Moors in Spain
A 36 year old Charlemagne intervened
On the return to France Charlemagne’s
nephew and leader of the rear guard,
Roland, was attacked
The entire rear guard perished
Poetic License
A 200 year old (yes, 200 year old) King
Charlemagne is leading the Franks into
battle
The Saraceans (Spanish Muslims) attack
the rear guard
The attack is due to a betrayal of Roland
by his step-father
Characters
 Roland- courageous knight
Veillantif= his horse
Durendal= his sword
Olifant= his battle crier
 King Charlemagne- 200 year old King of France
 King Marsile- King of Spain
 Ganelon- betrayer; step-father of Roland
 Oliver & Archbishop Turpin- trusted friends of
Roland
Code of Chivalry
Display of nobility, loyalty, protection of
women
www.middle-ages.org.uk/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm