Product Description

On 15 August 778, Charlemagne’s army was returning from a successful expedition against Saracen Spain when its rearguard was ambushed in a remote Pyrenean pass. Out of this skirmish arose a stirring tale of war, which was recorded in the oldest extant epic poem in French. The Song of Roland, written by an unknown poet, tells of Charlemagne’s warrior nephew, Lord of the Breton Marches, who valiantly leads his men into battle against the Saracens, but dies in the massacre, defiant to the end. In majestic verses, the battle becomes a symbolic struggle between Christianity and paganism, while Roland’s last stand is the ultimate expression of honour and feudal values of twelfth-century France.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #85206 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Glyn Burgess teaches at the University of Liverpool. He is an expert on early medieval French literature, and has translated and written widely on this area.

Customer Reviews

Blood and guts, but in a chivalric way!
I am studying the famous French King Charlemagne, and was directed to this poem which I enjoyed a great deal. It requires quite a lot of concentration, but once you are into it it is quite absorbing and has enough gory battle scenes, political wranglings and double-crossings to keep you quite happy throughout. The only downside is that the real event which inspired this poem did not happen at all like the book tells us it did. Still, that doesn't really matter - it's still an enjoyable glimpse at those famous knights in shining armour.