Song of Roland

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Roland is in many ways the perfect knight. Strong, courageous, and honorable he is loved by his
king, Charlemagne, and worshipped by his men. He has only one enemy, his stepfather, Ganelon.
When given the chance Ganelon betrays his king, his country and his people to take revenge on
Roland.

The story begins in Spain where Charlemagne has been harrassing the Saracens (a medieval term
for Muslims) defeating them in many battles and besieging their major cities. The Muslim king
Marsilion hatches a plan to trick Charlemegne into leaving. He promises Charlemagne many
lavish gifts, tribute, and hostages if he will go back to France and wait for Marsilion to follow.
He further promises that when he comes to Charlemagne's court to swear loyalty to him, he will
also convert to Christianity. Charlemagne beleives him and prepares to leave. He sends Ganelon,
at Roland's suggestion, to take the message of his acceptance to Marsilion. Ganelon uses the
opportunity to create a plan to kill Roland. He promises the Saracens that he will support their
plan and arrange for Roland to lead the rear guard that will protect the Charlemagne's back as he
turns for France. He arranges for the Saracens to attack Roland's forces with a much larger force.
The plan goes just the way Ganelon predicts and Roland is ambushed. When they realize the size
of the Saracen force, Roland's friend Oliver tries to convince him to blow his great horn,
Oliphant, for help. Roland refuses to blow the horn and the French fight a magnificent battle, but
they are overnumbered and the tide turns against them. Although, Roland knows it is too late far
any help to come, he blows his horn so that Charlemagne will know what happened to them.
Soon after he is struck in the head and dies, going directly to Paradise.

When Charlemagne arrives, he grieves deeply at the death of his men, particularly Roland. He
first allows his army to chase the fleeing Saracens into a river where they drown. Then he gathers
them to grieve and bury the dead. The Saracens return with reinforcements under the Emir,
Baligant, and meet Charlemagne's forces in battle. The battle is fought fiercely on both sides but
Charlemagnes forces prevail and the Saracens flee. Charlemagne returns victoriously to his court
in Aix with Marsilion's wife hwo has sworn to embrace Christ.

Soon after the battle, the Franks dedeuce Ganelon's treachery and he is brought back to Aix in
chains for trial. Found guilty in a trial by combat, Ganelon is subjected to a painful death as a
traitor.