Song of Roland

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 and rear guard were ambushed and destroyed by Basques, who then scattered and disappeared. The poem's hero is Roland, and its theme is the confrontation of Christianity and Islam and Charlemagne's duty to defend Christendom against the Muslim infidel.Terry, Patricia is the author of 'Song of Roland' with ISBN 9780024197801 and ISBN 0024197807.