Difference between revisions of "Charlemagne"
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:: He's won the highlands as far as the Main, | :: He's won the highlands as far as the Main, | ||
:: City nor wall is left for him to break, | :: City nor wall is left for him to break, | ||
| − | :: Save Sargossa in its high mountain place.<ref>''Song of Roland," trans. Dorothy Sayers, available [http://www.amazon.com/Song-Roland-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140440755/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6896887-5284101?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174767907&sr=8-1 here]. | + | :: Save Sargossa in its high mountain place.<ref>''Song of Roland," trans. Dorothy Sayers, available [http://www.amazon.com/Song-Roland-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140440755/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6896887-5284101?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174767907&sr=8-1 here]</ref>. |
The poem dramatizes Charlemagne's attempt at reconquering [[Spain]] from the [[Moors]], a process begun by his grandfather [[Charles Martel]]. | The poem dramatizes Charlemagne's attempt at reconquering [[Spain]] from the [[Moors]], a process begun by his grandfather [[Charles Martel]]. | ||
Revision as of 20:27, March 24, 2007
Charlemagne was the third leader of the Carolingian Dynasty and ruled the Franks from AD 751 to 987. He was a Christian and did much to expand both his kingdom and Christianity. He promoted education, starting palace schools, and attempted to reestablish the Roman Empire, though without success.
He is depicted in the epic poem "Song of Roland" as being significantly above human height, and 200 years old. The exaggerations are obvious markers of the oral tradition common to the era. The poem begins with a description of the Emperor:
- Carlon the king, our emperor Charlemayn,
- Full seven years long has lived abroad in Spain,
- He's won the highlands as far as the Main,
- City nor wall is left for him to break,
- Save Sargossa in its high mountain place.[1].
The poem dramatizes Charlemagne's attempt at reconquering Spain from the Moors, a process begun by his grandfather Charles Martel.