Roland
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| :''[[Roland (disambiguation)]]'' | :''[[Roland (disambiguation)]]'' | ||
| + | '''Roland''' ([[Frankish language|Frankish]]: '''''Hruodland''''') (died 15 August 778) was a [[Franks|Frankish]] military leader under [[Charlemagne]] who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the [[Matter of France]]. The historical Roland was military governor of the [[Breton March]], responsible for defending [[Francia]]'s frontier against the [[Bretons]]. His only historical attestation is in [[Einhard]]'s ''[[Vita Karoli Magni]]'', which notes he was part of the Frankish rearguard killed by rebellious [[Basques]] in Iberia at the [[Battle of Roncevaux Pass]]. | ||
| - | '''Roland''' ([[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Orlando'' or ''Rolando'', [[Old Frankish language|Frankish]]: ''Hruodland'', [[Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''Roeland'', [[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Roldán'' or ''Rolando'', [[Basque language|Basque]]: ''Errolan'', [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''Roldão'' or ''Rolando'', [[Occitan language|Occitan]]: ''Rotland'', [[Catalan language|Catalan]]: ''Rotllant'' or ''Rotllà'') is a character in [[medieval literature|medieval]] and [[Renaissance literature]], the chief [[paladin]] of [[Charlemagne]] and a central figure in the [[Matter of France]]. It is thought that the title character of the early 12th-century ''[[Song of Roland]]'', which recounts his final stand against the [[Vascones]] during the [[Battle of Roncevaux Pass]], is based on a real person who died in that battle, but the authors of most later ''[[Chanson de geste|chansons de geste]]'' and the Renaissance epics ''[[Orlando innamorato]]'' and ''[[Orlando furioso]]'' made little attempt to establish historical accuracy. Roland is traditionally associated with his sword [[Durendal]] and his horse [[Veillantif]]. | + | The story of Roland's death at Roncevaux Pass was embellished in later [[medieval literature|medieval]] and [[Renaissance literature]]. He became the chief [[paladin]] of the emperor Charlemagne and a central figure in the legendary material surrounding him, collectively known as the [[Matter of France]]. The first and most famous of these epic treatments was the [[Old French]] ''[[Chanson de Roland]]'' of the eleventh century. |
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| + | Two masterpieces of Italian Renaissance poetry, the ''[[Orlando Innamorato]]'' and ''[[Orlando Furioso]]'', are even further detached from history than the earlier ''Chansons''. Roland is poetically associated with his sword [[Durendal]], his horse [[Veillantif]], and his [[Olifant (instrument)|oliphant]] horn. | ||
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Revision as of 20:54, 4 January 2017
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Roland (Frankish: Hruodland) (died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. The historical Roland was military governor of the Breton March, responsible for defending Francia's frontier against the Bretons. His only historical attestation is in Einhard's Vita Karoli Magni, which notes he was part of the Frankish rearguard killed by rebellious Basques in Iberia at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.
The story of Roland's death at Roncevaux Pass was embellished in later medieval and Renaissance literature. He became the chief paladin of the emperor Charlemagne and a central figure in the legendary material surrounding him, collectively known as the Matter of France. The first and most famous of these epic treatments was the Old French Chanson de Roland of the eleventh century.
Two masterpieces of Italian Renaissance poetry, the Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso, are even further detached from history than the earlier Chansons. Roland is poetically associated with his sword Durendal, his horse Veillantif, and his oliphant horn.
