The Song Of Roland

History initially was learned by being passed down through the different generations by the use of stories and songs. This was necessary because the majority of people were uneducated, and in order to pass on information it had to be done verbally. Stories and songs during the crusades not only told of past events but it also evolved into a way to illuminate the Christian religion as a just cause against the pagan Muslims. This religious fervor at the time birthed many famous tales with one of them being The Song of Roland.

The Song of Roland is a tale of the attack on Charlemagne’s army while withdrawling from the Pyrenees into Francia. It depicts Charlemagne as a 200-year-old “godlike conqueror” that is in the throes of a heroic battle between a rival faith, which is Muslim (Bennett, 2011). Even though the original battle was actually against the Christian Basques the story was changed when written down in the 11th century to give a rousing tale of Christendom, “brave men, true friends, and loyal warriors” (Bennett, 2011).

At the time the song begins King Charlemagne has been in Spain for seven years conquering all the lands once governed by Muslim King Marsilla. Marsilla is at Saragossa (his last undefeated province) and realizes that he is outnumbered against Charlemagne and is now looking to his noble men for any suggestions. Blancandrin who is seen by the author as “Among the wisest pagans” suggests a truce in which Marsilla gives many treasures, livestock, noble hostages, and Marsilla’s pledge to convert to Christianity in France. Marsilla agrees to this ploy and sends Blancandrin to Charlemagne with all the offerings along with Blancandrin extending an olive branch to signify peace (Harrison, 1970).

Charlemagne listens to ...

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... trusted men and Ganelon to discuss King Charlemagne. The author at this point references to Marsilla once by his name, then by “The Pagan”, and finally as “The Saracen” making it clear that he is still the inferior Muslim.

Ganelon then convinces Marsilla that in killing Roland, King Charlemagne would give up his crusade and there would be peace again; “If someone were to cause the death of Roland, the Charles would lose the right arm from his body; the awe-inspiring host would cease to be; no more would Charles assemble such a force, and Tere Majur would then be left in peace” (Harrison, 1970).

Upon returning to King Charlemagne Ganelon tells the king of Marsilla’s acceptance of the treaty and also tells Charles that a very large portion of Marsilla’s army and his caliph all have perished at sea. That night while Charles is sleeping he has two prophetic dreams: one