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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Roland Biography ROLAND or Orlando, the celebrated knight of the court of Charlemagne, who is famous as a hero of romance. Tradition places him in the relation of nephew to Charlemagne, and his character is portrayed as that of a loyal warrior, both skillful and brave. Little is known of him, and writers have gone so far as to assert that it is altogether uncertain whether Roland represents a real or an imaginary person. We learn both from German and Frankish literature that Charlemagne was at Paderborn in 778, where he was busied in establishing civil government among the Saxons and attending to their admission into the Christian Church. He was visited while there by a Saracen chief, who proposed to deliver a region south of the Pyrenees to the Franks, a proposition at once accepted by the great commander. Accordingly he marched at the head of a large army into Gascony, where he compelled Duke Loup to do him homage, and annexed Pampelona and Saragossa. After finding that the Saracen ally could render but little assistance, Charlemagne decided to return to France, and while slowly threading through the valley of Roncesvalles the rear-guard was attacked by a large body of Gascons. Roland immediately rushed to the defense, but in a most gallant fight was slain while leading his troops. This incident was the occasion of the celebrated "Song of Roland," which has remained an interesting piece of literature. It was sung at the head of the Frankish troops for centuries. A notable instance is the conquest of England by William of Normandy, when it was sung by the marching columns to keep them in good cheer. Visitors in the Pyrenees are still shown the place that was the scene of the exploits of Roland, and his story is one that still passes current among the hardy mountaineers. The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopędia, Vol. IV. (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 1608. |