Medieval
Imagination:
Song of Roland Resources
Questions? Problems?
Broken Links? Contact Me!
Historical background is
very important to this work. See also the General Medieval Resources page for
more information, especially on Feudalism and the Crusades.
A. England Becomes Anglo-Norman
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The year was 1066. Harold the Second of England and Duke William of Normandy struggled for the prize of the throne of England |
“A real time experience of the Norman Conquest.” Click on the Encyclopedia icon for illustrated entries on all possible subjects related to the Conquest. Hear the first verse of the Song of Roland in Old French, modern French, and English |
Visual Chronicle of the events prior to (and including) the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. Excellent explanations of each of the panels |
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Eyewitness to History:
1066 The Invasion of England The Norman conquest of Anglo-Saxon England described
through the images of the 900 year-old Bayeux Tapestry |
1066: The Effects
of the Norman Conquest No-frills site with an extensive series of links to excellent studies on this topic |
All is the same—all
is changed: The Effect of 1066 on the
English Language A look at English and Norman French before 1066 and the Middle
English that resulted from their interaction |
B. The Song of Roland
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Introduction
to Medieval History: The Song of Roland An excellent source, explaining in greater detail the historical background and cultural context of the poem |
As you view these graphics, note which scenes from Roland’s story are depicted and note that almost all of these were done for/in churches or cathedrals. |
Very good background materials on the crusades, the Arabs in Spain, Kings and Heroes, Feudalism and other important concepts |
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Websources
for Medieval France and the Song of Roland Interesting graphics and links, including a link to a comic book! Worth a look |
Notes on a translation
of the Song of Roland Brief insights by a translator |
In the BeginningBackground information on the Song of Roland. The oral history of the poem is explored |
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Essay arguing that “the Song of Roland shows little respect for moderation and much for recklessness. Oliver counsels prudence, but Roland is the hero.” |
Roncesvalles
and the Legend of Roland Part of the pilgrimage to Compostela website. In the M.A., Roland’s legend was perhaps created and certainly enhanced by pilgrims traveling to Compostela |
Medieval
Music: The Song of Roland A mix of summary and analysis focusing on “song,” minstrel, and sounds |
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A teaching page with an excellent “questions/reading guide,” information on “difficulties for modern readers,” Saracens, Charlemagne, among other things |
Holy War in The
Song of Roland: The “Mythification” of History Essay discussing
how a minor border skirmish became the story of a holy war and how “the story of Roland comes so close to that of Christ that it
seems that Roland’s very destiny is to be killed as a holy martyr, and to be
received in heaven as a man, almost divine” |
The Song of Roland: Apocalypse Palimpsest Essay arguing that “We are accustomed to viewing the Chanson
de Roland as French [but the] Song of Roland is instead a Norman
twelfth-century manuscript of an eleventh-century text about an
eighth-century Carolingian event” |
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You should be able to answer all of these questions if you have closely read the text |
The Song of Roland seen as a “manifestation of the internalization of penance [that] led to the increasing valuation of the individual conscience” |
Fascinating essay which focuses on the “critical role”
of the Oliphant in the poem (at the Power of Music in Medieval Literature
website) |
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This strangely entitled website is self-described as “Text
excerpts pertaining to swords, horses, etc. of the poem. Additional material
from some of the other works in the Charlemagne Cycle.” Fascinating collection of miscellany
on/about/from the Song of Roland.
Worth browsing. |
Focuses on the Song of Roland and the Poem of the El Cid: "The epic heroes, Roland and the Cid, became legends. Attaining the proportions of myth, the two heroic warriors served as models of ideal medieval behavior." |
Excerpts from The
Song of Roland in Old French If
you know any modern French, you might be surprised to hear how Old French
sounds! |
C. Background on Charlemagne
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Excerpts from
Einhard's Life of Charlemagne The most reliable medieval source on Charlemagne and his era. Has a link to the full text |
Legends of Charlemagne or Romance of the Middle Ages: This website also defines the romance tradition, discusses chivalry, and the lord/vassal relationship. Superb collection of links |
Catholic Encyclopedia
Article on Charlemagne This article on the Holy Roman Emperor is very long, but very informative |
D. Feudalism and Chivalry
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The Rise of
Feudalism c. 850-1000 A.D. Good lecture defining and describing the feudal system |
Feudalism
and Medieval Life in Medieval England Focuses on the ties between vassals and lords |
The
Feudal System of Medieval England A clear explanation |
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The Middle Ages, Chivalry and
Knighthood Excellent resource page with links on topics such as Castles, Crusades, Women, Daily Life, Religion, Feudalism, Food, Fashion, Entertainment, Art, Architecture, etc. |
A resource page featuring links to information on feudal life, feudal law, oaths, charters, lords and peasants. Worthwhile |
Knighthood, Chivalry and Tournaments
Resource Library Website
with a vast number of resources on these topics, somewhat popularized, but
academically sound. Use the menu on
the left to navigate the site. Don’t
miss the Glossary
of Terms |
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“The paradox of chivalry can be seen in both its violent nature and its emphasis on polite rules of behavior” |
Chivalry
considered from three points of view: the military, the social, and
the religious |
A brief, clear explanation of this medieval phenomenon, with an emphasis on the later period |
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Feudalism,
Chivalry, and the Establishment of a “Holy” Roman Empire From Classical Rome to the early medieval period and the ethos of the Song of Roland |
Feudalism and
Knights in the Middle Ages Metropolitan Museum’s superior guide to the art, architecture, and artifacts of the period |
Images of Knighthood: Booklist and Web Resources One of the best annotated bibliographies on the Web for those who prefer to read the book rather than scroll the page! |
E. The Crusades |
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What were the Crusades? Who participated in them? Why did they occur? Excellent answers from ORB (On-line Reference Book for Medieval Studies). Highly recommended |
Urban II’s
Speech, Council of Clermont (1095 A.D.) Five accounts of what might be the most important speech of the Middle Ages. Written only a few years before the probable date of our version of the Song of Roland, this speech shows what contemporaries thought of the Crusades |
John II: Indulgence for Fighting the Heathen (878
A.D.) Pope John II’s decree granting forgiveness and martyrdom to all Christian knights who die fighting the all pagans and unbelievers (this decree predates the Crusades by over 200 years) |
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Gregory VII:
Call for a Crusade (1074 A.D.) The crusades would not begin for 21 more years when Pope Urban II (in 1095) issued his famous call to arms to do battle with the Infidel and protect the Byzantine Empire |
The Crusades
& Mediæval Information Links Interesting background information and primary sources for the era that produced the Song of Roland (see the First Crusade links) |
There were four different crusades to "free" the Christian holy lands from the Muslims, and in the process, make the crusaders wealthy men. This page provides a brief history of each crusade and both sides of the conflict |
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Links to maps, essays, historical background, primary source documents, historians’ accounts. Site also includes information about subsequent crusades |
A part of History Guide’s valuable lecture series on the Middle Ages (table of contents for all lectures available by clicking here) |
Richard The Lionheart
Massacres The Saracens, 1191 Eyewitness to History’s account of an atrocity during the 3rd Crusade |
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The Crusaders Capture
Jerusalem, 1099 Eyewitness
to History’s account of the assault and capture of the Christian "Navel
of the World" |
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F. Miscellaneous Sites
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The Virtues and
Vices in Medieval Society “The Virtues and Vices figure prominently in art, literature, theology, and philosophy. Where did these concepts come from, and what would a medieval person have known about them?” |
A site with definitions, explanations, and links |
“Medieval thinking on war, including that of Thomas Aquinas, was based on St Augustine's theory of the just war” |
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Problems?
Questions? Broken Links? Email Me! |
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Copyright
2002, Updated for Spring Term (Jan.-April) 2008, Joanne
J. Viano