Bibliograph

The song of Roland, translated by Anthony Mortimer

Type

Label

The song of Roland, translated by Anthony Mortimer

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

poetry

Main title

The song of Roland

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1181785453

Responsibility statement

translated by Anthony Mortimer

Summary

After years of fierce battle, the Emperor Charlemagne's army is finally on the brink of victory over the Saracens in Spain. Having proposed his stepfather Ganelon for the perilous task of serving as Charlemagne's envoy in the negotiations over the surrender of the Saracen king Marsile, Count Roland gets a taste of his own medicine when, with peace secured, Ganelon suggests that Roland should lead the rearguard of the army on the difficult journey over the mountain passes to France. Yet Marsile's forces are massing, and Roland is unaware of just how deep Ganelon's treachery runs. Probably written around three centuries after the events it describes, The Song of Roland is the earliest and finest example of the French chanson de geste -- verse epics that celebrated heroic deeds and were sung or recited by wandering minstrels. Presented here along with the original Anglo-Norman French, this new translation offers the modern reader both an engrossing narrative and a compelling insight into the medieval value system

Target audience

adult

Classification