Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
The Battle of Roncesvalles explained
Charlemagne's campaign in Spain leads to a treacherous plot by Gan (Ganelon), who conspires with King Marsilius to ambush Orlando and his small band at Roncesvalles.
What happens
Charlemagne's campaign in Spain leads to a treacherous plot by Gan (Ganelon), who conspires with King Marsilius to ambush Orlando and his small band at Roncesvalles. Despite warnings, Orlando refuses to summon aid, and a fierce battle ensues. Oliver is mortally wounded, and Orlando blows his horn to alert Charlemagne, then dies after a final stand. Charlemagne arrives too late, and Gan is imprisoned.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Orlando's steadfast refusal to flee or summon aid, his final stand, and his sacrificial death embody the heroic ideal.
Jealousy and Revenge
Gan's betrayal is driven by envy of Orlando and a desire for revenge for a perceived insult.
Fate and Free Will
Orlando's choices—ignoring warnings, refusing to sound the horn—lead to his doom, yet he accepts his fate with dignity.
Characters to notice
- Charlemagne
Emperor of the Franks, deceived by Gan, leads the army to Roncesvalles after hearing Orlando's horn.
- Orlando
Heroic paladin who refuses to suspect treachery, fights valiantly, and dies after blowing his horn to summon Charlemagne.
- Oliver
Orlando's cousin and fellow paladin, mortally wounded in battle, dies after urging Orlando to sound the horn.
- Rinaldo of Montalban
Paladin who arrives too late to join the battle, but later finds Orlando before his death.
- Gan
Traitorous courtier who conspires with Marsilius, leading to the ambush; imprisoned by Charlemagne.
- Marsilius
King of Spain who plots with Gan to ambush Orlando at Roncesvalles.
Key passages
“The temperate but courteous hero took them in good part, and distributed them as the traitor wished; and then Blanchardin, on pretence of going forward to salute Charlemagne, returned, and put himself at the head of the second army, which was the post assigned him by his liege-lord.”
The hero accepted the gifts politely and distributed them as the traitor had planned. Blanchardin then pretended to go ahead to greet Charlemagne, but instead returned to lead the second army as ordered.
Describes the deceptive movements of the Saracen forces.
“The great heart of the Champion of the Faith was unwilling to harbor suspicion as long as he could help it. He refused to summon aid which might be superfluous; neither would he do anything but what his liege-lord had directed.”
Orlando, the great champion of Christianity, refused to be suspicious and would not call for help unless absolutely necessary, following only his lord's orders.
Highlights Orlando's loyalty and reluctance to doubt.
“When Orlando saw him dead he felt as if he was alone on the earth, and he was quite willing to leave it, only he wished that King Charles, at the foot of the mountains, should know how the case stood before he went.”
Upon seeing Oliver dead, Orlando felt utterly alone and ready to die, but he wanted Charlemagne to learn what had happened first.
Orlando's grief and sense of duty after Oliver's death.
“They say that the horse, at these words, opened his eyes a little, and looked kindly at his master, and then stirred never more.”
Legend says that upon hearing Orlando's words, the horse briefly opened its eyes and looked at him affectionately before dying.
A poignant moment showing the bond between Orlando and his horse.
