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Joined: May 05
Points: 41629
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La Chanson de Roland
Posted: 2006-10-01 09:12 AM  
Hola Marianne!
Yes, you are right; Roncesvalles is the name of the famous battle at the end of the VIII century, when Charlemagne went to Spain to help the Governor of Zaragoza to fight the moors, but he could not get there, and in his way back to France he was attacked by Basques (probably helped by muslims). Together they defeated the French rearguard in the treacherous passes of Roncesvalles, in the Pyrenees. Many important chevaliers and soldiers of his Army left their life in Roncesvalles, including Roldan, in a heroic way.
La Chanson de Roland, as I studied in the school, was composed by the Normand poet Turoldo in the XI century.
But there is another epic poem written in Navarra in the XIII century called “Cantar de Roncesvalles”, where there is also regretted the death of the brave Roland, who is compared to a Christian martyr.
By the way, why you do not make the Camino….?
Hasta la vista
Jorge
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