Song of Roland / Edition 2 in Bloomington, MN

The English translation of the Chanson de Roland, written by a Norman in 1066. It is written in a series of laisses — bundles of verse averaging 14 lines in length. The story is based on the Battle of Roncevaux, which concluded the expedition made by Charlemagne in 778 into Spain to expel the Muslims. As he was returning to France through a pass in the Pyrenees, his baggage train & rear guard were ambushed & destroyed by Basques, who then scattered & disappeared. The poems hero is Roland, & its theme is the confrontation of Christianity & Islam & Charlemagnes duty to defend Christendom against the Muslim infidel.