The Song of Roland — Chronicle
Ordered by chapter. The poem counts time in years and days — “Full seven years hath sojourned in Spain”, and the pagans say of Charles “Two hundred years he's lived now, as 'tis said” — none of these can be turned into a calendar year, so no event is dated: no anchor, no chronology; a date is never inferred. Time expressions are copied onto the events as written. Every event links back to one sentence of the original.
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196 events · no calendar year read from the text
Undated
Laisses I–VI · 📍 [[Spain]] · Full seven years
Full seven years hath sojourned in Spain, Conquered the land, and won the western main, Now no fortress against him doth remain, No city walls are left for him to gain, Save Sarraguce, that sits on high mountain.
Laisses I–VI · 📍 [[Sarraguce]]
The council ends, and that King Marsilie Calleth aside Clarun of Balaguee, Estramarin and Eudropin his peer, And Priamun and Guarlan of the beard, And Machiner and his uncle Mahee, With Jouner, Malbien from over sea, And Blancandrin, good reason to decree: Ten hath he called, were first in felony. "Gentle Barons, to Charlemagne go ye; He is in siege of Cordres the city. In your right hands bear olive-branches green Which signify Peace and Humility."
Laisses VII–XII · 📍 [[Cordres]] · now
Cordres he holds, the walls are tumbled down, His catapults have battered town and tow'r.
Laisses VII–XII · 📍 [[Cordres]]
In that city there is no pagan now But he been slain, or takes the Christian vow.
Laisses VII–XII · now
Mounted them those that should the message speak, In their right hands were olive-branches green. Came they to Charle, that holds all France in fee,
Laisses VII–XII
Proud Marsilies this message bids me say: Much hath he sought to find salvation's way; Out of his wealth meet presents would he make, Lions and bears, and greyhounds leashed on chain, Thousand mewed hawks, sev'n hundred dromedrays, Four hundred mules his silver shall convey, Fifty wagons you'll need to bear away Golden besants, such store of proved assay, Wherewith full tale your soldiers you can pay. Now in this land you've been too long a day Hie you to France, return again to Aix; Thus saith my Lord, he'll follow too that way.
Laisses VII–XII
Blancandrins Charles Marsilies
That Sarrazin says, "Hostages he'll show; Ten shall you take, or fifteen or a score. Though he be slain, a son of mine shall go, Any there be you'll have more nobly born. To your palace seigneurial when you go, At Michael's Feast, called in periculo; My Lord hath said, thither will he follow Ev'n to your baths, that God for you hath wrought; There is he fain the Christian faith to know."
Laisses VII–XII
Charles Guenes Rollant Oliver Oger Turpin Richard Henry Acolin Tedbald Milun Gerin Gerer
That Emperour, beneath a pine he sits, Calls his barons, his council to begin: Oger the Duke, that Archbishop Turpin, Richard the old, and his nephew Henry, From Gascony the proof Count Acolin, Tedbald of Reims and Milun his cousin: With him there were Gerers, also Gerin, And among them the Count Rollant came in, And Oliver, so proof and so gentil. Franks out of France, a thousand chivalry; Guenes came there, that wrought the treachery. The Council then began, which ended ill.
Laisses XIII–XVIII
Answers Duke Neimes: "I'll go there for your love; Give me therefore the wand, also the glove." Answers the King: "Old man of wisdom pruff; By this white beard, and as these cheeks are rough, You'll not this year so far from me remove; Go sit you down, for none hath called you up."
Laisses XIII–XVIII
Answers Rollanz: "I might go very well." "Certes, you'll not," says Oliver his friend, "For your courage is fierce unto the end, I am afraid you would misapprehend. If the King wills it I might go there well." Answers the King: "Be silent both on bench; Your feet nor his, I say, shall that way wend.
Laisses XIX–XXIV
Your sister's hand in marriage have I ta'en; And I've a son, there is no prettier swain:
Laisses XXXI–XXXVI
Cantered so far then Blancandrins and Guene Till each by each a covenant had made And sought a plan, how Rollant might be slain.
Laisses XXXI–XXXVI
Proud Charlemagne this message bids me say: You must receive the holy Christian Faith, And yield in fee one half the lands of Spain. If to accord this tribute you disdain, Taken by force and bound in iron chain You will be brought before his throne at Aix; Judged and condemned you'll be, and shortly slain,
Laisses XLIII–XLVIII
He's sworn thereby, the Spanish Sarazand, In the rereward if he shall find Rollant, Battle to himself and all his band, And verily he'll slay him if he can.
Laisses XLIX–LIV
"Take now my helm, better is none than this; But give us aid, on Rollant the marquis, By what device we may dishonour bring." "It shall be done." Count Guenes answered him;
Laisses XLIX–LIV
Here for your wife I have two brooches found, Amethysts and jacynths in golden mount; More worth are they than all the wealth of Roum; Your Emperour has none such, I'll be bound." He's taken them, and in his hosen pouched.
Laisses XLIX–LIV
Answers him Guenes: "My time is nearly past." His charger mounts, and on his journey starts.
Laisses XLIX–LIV · 📍 [[France]] · In morning time
Franks leave their lines; the sumpter-beasts are yare T'wards France the Douce all on their way repair.
Laisses LV–LX · 📍 [[Spain]]
Charles the Great that land of Spain had wasted, Her castles ta'en, her cities violated.
Laisses LV–LX · 📍 [[Douce France]]
Then said the King, his war was now abated. Towards Douce France that Emperour has hasted.
Laisses LV–LX · 📍 [[Aix]]
And after this another vision saw, In France, at Aix, in his Chapelle once more, That his right arm an evil bear did gnaw; Out of Ardennes he saw a leopard stalk, His body dear did savagely assault; But then there dashed a harrier from the hall, Leaping in the air he sped to Charles call, First the right ear of that grim bear he caught, And furiously the leopard next he fought.
Laisses LXI–LXVI · 📍 [[France]]
"A thousand Franks take, out of France our land; Dispose them so, among ravines and crags, That the Emperour lose not a single man."
Laisses LXI–LXVI
A thousand Franks, come out of France their land, At Gualter's word they scour ravines and crags;
Laisses LXI–LXVI · 📍 [[ravines and crags]] · On the evil day
King Almaris, Belserne for kingdom had, On the evil day he met them in combat.
Laisses LXVII–LXXII · This night
This night I saw, by an angel’s vision plain, Between my hands he brake my spear in twain;
Laisses LXVII–LXXII · 📍 [[Spain]]
The felon Guenes had treacherously wrought; From pagan kin has had his rich reward, Silver and gold, and veils and silken cloths, Camels, lions, with many a mule and horse.
Laisses LXVII–LXXII · 📍 [[Sarraguce]] · Within three days
Barons from Spain King Marsilies hath called, Counts and viscounts and dukes and almacours, And the admirals, and cadets nobly born; Within three days come hundreds thousands four. In Sarraguce they sound the drums of war;
Laisses LXXIII–LXXVIII · 📍 [[Rencesvals]]
Marsilies Esturganz Estramariz
Then said Marsile: "My Lords, before me stand! Into the pass ye'll go to Rencesvals, Give me your aid, and thither lead my band." They answer him: "Sire, even as you command. We will assault Olivier and Rollant,
Laisses CIII–CVIII
Spurs on his horse, is gone to strike Chemuble, The helmet breaks, where bright carbuncles grew, Slices the cap and shears the locks in two, Slices also the eyes and the features, The hauberk white, whose mail was close of woof, Down to the groin cuts all his body through To the saddle; with beaten gold 'twas tooled. Upon the horse that sword a moment stood, Then sliced its spine, no join there any knew, Dead in the field among thick grass them threw.
Laisses CIII–CVIII
Justin he strikes, that Iron Valley's lord, All of his head has down the middle shorn, The carcass sliced, the broidered sark has torn, The good saddle that was with old adorned, And through the spine has sliced that pagan's horse; Dead in the field before his feet they fall.
Laisses CIII–CVIII
Esperveris was there, son of Borel, And him there slew Engelers of Burdel.
Laisses CIX–CXIV · 📍 [[Aix]]
After he lost his members and his head, In court, at Aix, to gallows-tree condemned; And thirty more with him, of his kindred, Were hanged, a thing they never did expect.
Laisses CIX–CXIV
The pagan spear's point did his body wound, He pinned him well, and all the steel sent through, From the hilt flung him dead beneath his foot.
Laisses CXXI–CXXVI
Struck him the count, with so great virtue, that To the nose-plate he's all the helmet cracked, Sliced through the nose and mouth and teeth he has, Hauberk close-mailed, and all the whole carcass, Saddle of gold, with plates of silver flanked, And of his horse has deeply scarred the back; He's slain them both, they'll make no more attack:
Laisses CXXI–CXXVI
So he bids sound his horns and his buccines; Then canters forth with all his great army.
Laisses CXXXIII–CXXXVIII
The King has bid them seize that county Guene, And charged with him the scullions of his train; The master-cook he's called, Besgun by name: "Guard me him well, his felony is plain, Who in my house vile treachery has made." He holds him, and a hundred others takes From the kitchen, both good and evil knaves; Then Guenes beard and both his cheeks they shaved, And four blows each with their closed fists they gave, They trounced him well with cudgels and with staves, And on his neck they clasped an iron chain; So like a bear enchained they held him safe, On a pack-mule they set him in his shame: Kept him till Charles should call for him again.
Laisses CXLV–CL
Struck Oliver, behind, on the back-bone, His hauberk white into his body broke, Clean through his breast the thrusting spear he drove;
Laisses CXLV–CL
Slices his head, to th'small teeth in his mouth; So brandishes his blade and flings him down;
Laisses CLI–CLVI
I'm dying. Yet full price for life I took. Rollant has heard these words and understood, Has spurred his horse, and on towards him drew.
Laisses CLI–CLVI
Count Rollant is a noble and brave soldier, Gualter del Hum's a right good chevalier, That Archbishop hath shewn good prowess there; None of them falls behind the other pair; Through the great press, pagans they strike again.
Laisses CLI–CLVI · This day
This day Rollanz, my nephew shall be dead: I hear his horn, with scarcely any breath.
Laisses CLI–CLVI
Nimbly canter, whoever would be there! Your trumpets sound, as many as ye bear!
Laisses CLVII–CLXII
Veillantif is in thirty places gored, Beneath the count he's fallen dead, that horse.
Laisses CLVII–CLXII
To the Archbishop, Turpins, he goes with aid; He's from his head the golden helm unlaced, Taken from him his white hauberk away, And cut the gown in strips, was round his waist; On his great wounds the pieces of it placed, Then to his heart has caught him and embraced; On the green grass he has him softly laid,
Laisses CLXIII–CLXVIII
No longer could he stand, for so much grief, Will he or nill, he swooned upon the field.
Laisses CLXIII–CLXVIII · 📍 [[Rencesvals]]
For too much blood he's lost, and no strength has; Ere he has crossed an acre of the land, His heart grows faint, he falls down forwards and Death comes to him with very cruel pangs.
Laisses CLXIII–CLXVIII
Then Rollanz feels that death to him draws near, For all his brain is issued from his ears;
Laisses CLXIX–CLXXIV
Struck him on th’ helm, that jewelled was with gold, And broke its steel, his skull and all his bones,
Laisses CLXIX–CLXXIV
Then Rollanz feels that he has lost his sight, Climbs to his feet, uses what strength he might;
Laisses CLXXV–CLXXX
Over his arm his head bows down and slips, He joins his hands: and so is life finish'd.
Laisses CLXXV–CLXXX · 📍 [[Rencesvals]]
Charles Gebuin Otun Tedbald Milun
The King commands Gebuin and Otun, Tedbalt of Reims, also the count Milun: "Guard me this field, these hills and valleys too, Let the dead lie, all as they are, unmoved, Let not approach lion, nor any brute, Let not approach esquire, nor any groom; For I forbid that any come thereto, Until God will that we return anew."
Laisses CLXXXI–CLXXXVI
In a vision announced he to him then A battle, should be fought against him yet, Significance of griefs demonstrated. Charles looked up towards the sky, and there Thunders and winds and blowing gales beheld, And hurricanes and marvellous tempests; Lightnings and flames he saw in readiness, That speedily on all his people fell;
Laisses CLXXXI–CLXXXVI · 📍 [[Aix]]
Himseemed in France, at Aix, on a terrace, And that he held a bruin by two chains; Out of Ardenne saw thirty bears that came, And each of them words, as a man might, spake Said to him: "Sire, give him to us again! It is not right that he with you remain, He's of our kin, and we must lend him aid." A harrier fair ran out of his palace, Among them all the greatest bear assailed
Laisses CLXXXVII–CXCII · 📍 [[Sarraguce]]
For his right hand he'd lost, 'twas clean cut through; Such blood he'd shed, in anguish keen he swooned.
Laisses CLXXXVII–CXCII · 📍 [[Spain]] · Full seven years
Full seven years in Spain now has he been, And castles there, and many cities seized.
Laisses CLXXXVII–CXCII · 📍 [[Neath Alexandre]] · in May, first summer of the year
Neath Alexandre, a haven next the sea, In readiness he gat his whole navy. That was in May, first summer of the year, All of his hosts he launched upon the sea.
Laisses CXCIII–CXCVIII · 📍 [[Sarraguce]]
You I command to Sarraguce to fare. Marsiliun on my part you shall tell Against the Franks I'm come to give him help, Find I their host, great battle shall be there; Give him this glove, that's stitched with golden thread, On his right hand let it be worn and held; This little wand of fine gold take as well, Bid him come here, his homage to declare.
Laisses CXCIX–CCIV
Then cried aloud: "Barons, too long ye've slept; Forth from your ships issue, mount, canter well!
Laisses CCV–CCX
Naimes Aceline Gefrei d'Anjou Tierri Charles
Naimes the Duke, and the count Aceline, Gefrei d'Anjou and his brother Tierry, Take up the King, bear him beneath a pine.
Laisses CCXVII–CCXXII
The Danish chief, the warrior count Oger, Shall lead that troop, for haughty is their air.
Laisses CCXVII–CCXXII
Naimes the Duke a fourth next sets apart Of good barons, endowed with vassalage; Germans they are, come from the German March, A thousand score, as all said afterward; They're well equipped with horses and with arms, Rather they'll die than from the battle pass; They shall be led by Hermans, Duke of Trace,
Laisses CCXVII–CCXXII
Naimes the Duke and the count Jozerans The fifth column have mustered, of Normans, A thousand score, or so say all the Franks; Well armed are they, their horses charge and prance; Rather they'ld die, than eer be recreant; No race neath heav'n can more in th'field compass. Richard the old, lead them in th'field he shall,
Laisses CCXVII–CCXXII
Charles Naimes Jozeran Godselmes
Naimes the Duke the seventh next prepares Of Peitevins and barons from Alverne; Forty thousand chevaliers might be there; Their horses good, their arms are all most fair. They're neath a cliff, in a vale by themselves; With his right hand King Charles hath them blessed, Them Jozerans shall lead, also Godselmes.
Laisses CCXXIII–CCXXVIII · to-day
A Sulian hath told him his message: "We have seen Charles, that haughty sovereign; Fierce are his men, they have no mind to fail. Arm yourself then: Battle you'll have to-day." Says Baligant: "Mine is great vassalage; Let horns this news to my pagans proclaim."
Laisses CCXXIII–CCXXVIII
Their admiral will stay no longer then; Puts on a sark, embroidered in the hems, Laces his helm, that is with gold begemmed; After, his sword on his left side he's set,
Laisses CCXXXV–CCXL · now
Pagans, come on; for now I take the field." His spear in hand he brandishes and wields, Towards Carlun has turned the point of steel.
Laisses CCXXXV–CCXL
Says Baligant: "My pagan tribes adverse, Battle to seek, canter ye now ahead!"
Laisses CCXLI–CCXLVI
Before them all has cried out Baligant: "Barons, long time I've fed you at my hand. Ye see my son, who goes on Carlun's track, And with his arms so many lords attacks; Better vassal than him I'll not demand. Go, succour him, each with his trenchant lance!" Upon that word the pagans all advance;
Laisses CCLIII–CCLVIII · Passes that day, turns into vesper-tide.
Then, as they go, great blows on either side They with their spears on their round targes strike; And shatter them, beneath their buckles wide; And all the folds of their hauberks divide; But bodies, no; wound them they never might. Broken their girths, downwards their saddles slide; Both those Kings fall, themselves aground do find;
Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX · 📍 [[Sarraguce]] · all that night
In come his men, he occupies that town; And all that night they lie there in their pow'r. Fierce is that King, with 's hoary beard, and proud, And Bramimunde hath yielded up her towers;
Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX · 📍 [[Sarraguce]] · Passes the day
And Sarraguce is in the Emperour's keep. A thousand Franks he bids seek through the streets, The synagogues and the mahumeries;
Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX · 📍 [[Sarraguce]] · Passes the night
And Bramimunde a prisoner is bound, No harm to her, but only good he's vowed.
Laisses CCLXV–CCLXX · 📍 [[Aix]]
Sister, dear friend, of a dead man you spake. I'll give you one far better in exchange, That is Loewis, what further can I say; He is my son, and shall my marches take. Alde answered him: "That word to me is strange. Never, please God, His Angels and His Saints, When Rollant's dead shall I alive remain!" Her colour fails, at th' feet of Charlemain, She falls; she's dead.
Laisses CCLXXXIX–CCXCI · 📍 [[Aix]]
There they baptised the Queen of Sarazands, And found for her the name of Juliane.
Laisses CCLXXXIX–CCXCI · 📍 [[Imphe]] · that King in 's vaulted chamber sleeps
Charles [[Vivien]]
Go thou by force into the land of Bire, King Vivien thou'lt succour there, at Imphe, In the city which pagans have besieged.