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Roland
Roland , the great French hero of the medieval Charlemagne cycle of chansons de geste, immortalized in the Chanson de Roland (11th or 12th cent.). Existence of an early Roland poem is indicated by the historian Wace's statement that Taillefer sang of Roland's deeds to inflame the men before the Battle of Hastings (1066). Historically Roland was Charlemagne's commander on the Breton border; he was killed in a pass in the Pyrenees when Basques cut off the rear guard of the Frankish army returning from its invasion of Spain in 778. Legend makes Roland one of Charlemagne's 12 peers and his nephew, changes the Basques into Saracens, and locates the pass at Roncesvalles. The poem is marked by its unified conception, its vivid and direct narrative, and its predominantly warlike spirit. Through the treason of Roland's stepfather, Ganelon, count of Mayence and a vassal of Charlemagne, Roland is left in command of Charlemagne's retreating rear guard, with his friend Oliver and with Bishop Turpin. Instigated by Ganelon, the Saracens attack, but Roland is too proud to blow his horn to summon aid. In the ensuing battle the valiant Franks are greatly outnumbered and, though Roland finally blows his horn, all are killed. The last to die, Roland attempts to break his sword, Durandal; before he dies he hears too late that Charlemagne is returning. Charlemagne disperses the pagans and defeats the reinforcing hosts of the emir Baligant, and Ganelon is tried and put to death. The poem is cast in the heroic mold. The contrast of character in the two heroic friends is famous—Oliver was prudent, Roland rash. The Roland epopee was long a favorite with French, Spanish, and Italian poets, and Roland was eventually transformed beyond recognition into the Orlando of the Italian Renaissance epics of Boiardo and Ariosto . Translations of the Song of Roland include those by Merriam Sherwood (1938) and Dorothy L. Sayers (1957). |
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"Roland." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Roland." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Roland.html "Roland." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Roland.html |
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Roland
Roland, the most famous of the Paladins of Charlemagne. According to the chronicler Einhard, his legend has the following basis of fact. In August 778 the rearguard of the French army of Charlemagne was surprised in the valley of Roncevaux by the Basque inhabitants of the mountains; the baggage was looted and all the rearguard killed, including Hrodland, count of the Breton marches. The story of this disaster was developed by the imagination of numerous poets. For the Basques were substituted the Saracens. Roland becomes the commander of the rearguard, appointed to the post at the instance of the traitor Ganelon, who is in league with the Saracen king Marsile. Oliver is introduced, Roland's companion in arms. Oliver thrice urges Roland to summon aid by sounding his horn, but Roland from excess of pride defers doing so until too late. Charlemagne returns and destroys the pagan army. Ganelon is tried and executed. The legend has been handed down in three principal forms: in the fabricated Latin chronicle of the 12th cent. erroneously attributed to Archbishop Turpin (d. c.800); in the Carmen de proditione Guenonis of the same epoch; and in the Chanson de Roland, in medieval French, also of the early 12th cent. It is a well-known tradition that Taillefer, a jongleur in the army of William the Conqueror, sang a poem on Roncesvalles at the battle of Hastings (1066), possibly an earlier version of the extant Chanson. Roland, as Orlando, is the hero of Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato and Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. Roland's sword was called ‘Durandal’ or ‘Durindana’, and his horn ‘Olivant’. (See also Oliver.)
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MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Roland." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Roland." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-Roland.html MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Roland." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-Roland.html |
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Roland
RolandRoland was the bravest and most loyal of the 12 legendary paladins, or knights, who served Charlemagne, king of the Franks*. Although Charlemagne was a historical figure, many fanciful tales about the king and his knights appeared during the Middle Ages. It was said that Roland stood 8 feet tall and carried a magical sword called Durindana (or Durendal) that had once belonged to the Trojan hero Hector. According to medieval stories, Roland (or Orlando) was the son of Charlemagne's sister. Living as a poor peasant in Italy, he was welcomed to the court of the king after his true identity was revealed. Although a powerful warrior, Roland's concern with winning honor and fame eventually cost him his life. medieval relating to the Middle Ages in Europe, a period from about a.d. 500 to 1500 epic long poem about legendary or historical heroes, written in a grand style The story of Roland's death is told in the famous epic the Song of Roland. The poem concerns Charlemagne's defeat by the Muslims in Spain in 778. Charlemagne had sent a paladin named * See Names and Places at the end of this volume for further information. Ganelon to negotiate with the Muslim leader. Instead, jealous of Roland, Ganelon plotted with the enemy and revealed the route Roland's army planned to take. The Muslims waited for Roland and ambushed him at Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees Mountains. The paladins had told Roland to blow his ivory horn to summon reinforcements from Charlemagne, but Roland refused to call for help until the battle was almost lost. By then it was too late. When Charlemagne's troops arrived, Roland and many of the bravest paladins were dead. At the end of the story, Charlemagne had Ganelon killed for his treachery See also Charlemagne; Heroes; Paladins. |
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"Roland." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Roland." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900421.html "Roland." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900421.html |
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Roland
Roland ♂ From an Old French personal name of Germanic (Frankish) origin, from hrōd ‘fame’ + land ‘land, territory’. This was adopted by the Normans and introduced by them to Britain. In Old French literature it is borne by a legendary Frankish hero, a vassal of Charlemagne, whose exploits are told in the Chanson de Roland. The subject of the poem is Roland's death at the Battle of Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees in 778, while protecting the rearguard of the Frankish army on its retreat from Spain. Roland is depicted in literature and legend as headstrong and impulsive. His devoted friendship with the prudent Oliver is also legendary.
Variant: Rowland. Pet forms: Roly, Rowley. |
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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Roland2.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Roland2.html |
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Roland
Roland the most famous of Charlemagne's paladins, hero of the Chanson de Roland (12th century) and other medieval romances. He is said to have become a friend of Oliver, another paladin, after engaging him in single combat in which neither won. Roland was killed in a rearguard action at the Battle of Roncesvalles, refusing until too late to blow the horn Olivant to summon Charlemagne to his aid.
Roland for an Oliver an effective or adequate retort or response, taking Roland and his comrade Oliver as the type of a match in skill and courage; the phrase is recorded from the early 17th century. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Roland." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Roland." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Roland.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Roland." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Roland.html |
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Roland
Roland ♂ Germanic: ‘fame’ + ‘land’.
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Cite this article
PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Roland1.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Roland1.html |
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Roland
Roland ♂ Germanic.
Also: Rolland. |
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Cite this article
PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Roland.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Roland." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Roland.html |
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Roland
Roland •unironed, viand
•prebend
•beribboned, riband
•husband • house husband
•unquestioned • escutcheoned
•brigand, ligand
•legend
•fecund, second, split-second
•millisecond • nanosecond
•microsecond • rubicund • jocund
•Langland • garland • parkland
•Cartland, heartland
•headland • Shetland • Lakeland
•mainland
•eland, Leland, Wieland, Zealand, Zeeland
•Greenland • heathland • Cleveland
•Friesland • Queensland • midland
•England • Finland • Maryland
•dryland, highland, island
•Iceland • Holland • dockland
•Scotland
•foreland, Westmorland
•Auckland, Falkland
•Portland • Northland
•lowland, Poland, Roland
•Oakland • Copland • Newfoundland
•woodland • Buckland • upland
•Jutland, Rutland
•Ireland • moorland
•Cumberland, Northumberland
•Sunderland • Switzerland
•Sutherland • Hammond
•almond, Armand
•Edmund, Redmond
•Desmond, Esmond
•Raymond • Grimond • Richmond
•Sigmund • Sigismund • Osmond
•Dortmund • unsummoned
•diamond • gourmand • unopened
•errand, gerund
•reverend • Bertrand • dachshund
•unchastened
•old-fashioned, unimpassioned
•unsanctioned
•aforementioned, undermentioned, unmentioned
•unconditioned • unsweetened
•unenlightened • unleavened
•self-governed • unseasoned
•wizened • thousand
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"Roland." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Roland." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Roland.html "Roland." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Roland.html |
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