Roland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roland
A statue of Roland at Metz railway station, France
Native name	Hrōþiland
Died	15 August 778
Buried	Blaye
Allegiance	Frankish

Roland was a brave military leader who served the famous king Charlemagne long ago. Over time, he became a legendary hero in stories and poems across Europe. He is one of the most important characters in a collection of tales known as the Matter of France.

The real, historical Roland was a military governor in charge of protecting the border of the Frankish kingdom. The only time he is mentioned in history is in a book that describes his death in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in the year 778.

However, the story of his death was so inspiring that for hundreds of years, people told amazing tales about him. The most famous of these is an old French epic poem called The Song of Roland. In these legends, Roland is known for his incredible courage, his unbreakable sword named Durendal, his loyal horse Veillantif, and his powerful horn called an oliphant.

Later, Italian writers created even more fantastic adventures for him in famous poems like Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso. In Italian, his name is often Orlando.

Who Was the Real Roland?

The only historical proof of Roland comes from a book called Vita Karoli Magni (The Life of Charles the Great), written by a man named Einhard who worked for Charlemagne.

Einhard wrote that Roland was the "prefect of the borders of Brittany." This means he was a governor of the Breton March, a territory on the edge of the Frankish kingdom. His job was to defend the land from the neighboring Bretons.

The book describes how Roland died in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. In 778, King Charlemagne was leading his army back from Spain through the high Pyrenees mountains. The path was narrow and went through a thick forest, making it a perfect place for an ambush.

A group of local warriors, the Basques, attacked the rear part of Charlemagne's army. Einhard wrote that the Franks were at a disadvantage because of their heavy armor and the rough terrain. Roland was killed in this battle, along with other important nobles. Because the attackers scattered into the mountains after the fight, their actions could not be avenged at that time.

According to legend, Roland's body was brought to be buried in the town of Blaye, near Bordeaux in France.

Roland the Legendary Hero

The true story of Roland's death was transformed into a much grander and more exciting tale by storytellers in the Middle Ages. He became a symbol of the perfect Christian knight: brave, loyal, and noble.

The Song of Roland

The most famous story about him is The Song of Roland, a poem written in the 11th century. In this version, Roland is Charlemagne's nephew. The battle is no longer a small ambush but a massive fight between the Christian Franks and a huge Saracen army.

In the poem, Roland is given amazing items:

• Durendal: His sword, said to be unbreakable and contain holy relics, making it sacred.
• The Olifant: A special horn made from an elephant's tusk. His friend Oliver tells him to blow it to call Charlemagne for help, but Roland's pride stops him until it is too late. When he finally blows it, he does so with such force that he harms himself, but the sound reaches Charlemagne miles away.

This heroic but tragic story became incredibly popular and set the stage for many other tales about Charlemagne and his knights, known as the Paladins.

Other Medieval Stories

Roland appeared in many other stories throughout the Middle Ages. Some tales described his youth and how he got his horse and sword. Others told of his friendship with the knight Olivier and his love for Olivier's sister, Aude.

In Italy, he became the hero Orlando. Writers like Matteo Maria Boiardo and Ludovico Ariosto wrote long epic poems, Orlando Innamorato (Orlando in Love) and Orlando Furioso (Orlando's Fury). These stories were full of magic, monsters, and adventure, turning Roland into a fantasy hero, much like the knights in the tales of King Arthur.

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  The eight parts of The Song of Roland shown in one picture.

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  The first page of a very old copy of The Song of Roland.

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  An imaginary coat of arms designed for Roland.

Roland's Legacy Through the Ages

Roland's fame has lasted for centuries, and he is remembered in many ways around Europe.

Statues and Places

In Germany, Roland became a symbol of a city's freedom and independence from powerful local rulers. Many cities put up a statue of Roland in their main square to show their power. The most famous Roland statue stands in Bremen and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, there are places named after him, like Roland's Breach, a huge gap in the mountains that legend says he cut with his sword Durendal. In Catalonia and the Basque Country, legends turned Roland (called Rotllà or Errolan) into a giant with super-human strength.

In Language and Culture

The friendship between Roland and his companion Oliver was so famous that it created the English expression "to give a Roland for an Oliver." It means to trade blow for blow or to give as good as you get, showing they were equals in skill and bravery.

Roland's story continues to inspire people today. He has appeared as a character in modern books, operas, and even video games like Fate/Grand Order and Library of Ruina.

See also

In Spanish: Roldán para niños