The+Death+of+Roland

=The Death of Roland= __Ellen Stadelman__

This legend like many others has origins in a real historical event. Over time, the truth was bent and embelished upon until it became the legend it is today.

Legend tells that Roland, who got his name after the fact that he came into the world rolling along the ground, was the son of princess Berta, Charlemagne’s sister, and the Duke of Angers. Roland spent his childhood in the Italian and French countryside amid nature. He later became one of the most famous knights of his time for his skill and agility, his arrogante and extraordinary courage. Roland accompanied his uncle, Charlemagne, to a battle which was to end in the defeat of Roncesvalles When the Emperor saw that defeat was inevitable and his army beaten, he fled to the mountains, leaving Roland, supposedly a corpse among many, abandoned and gravely wounded, buried under the lifeless body of his horse. When Roland regained consciousness and realised the danger he was in, with a superhuman effort and the help of his powerful sword, Durandarte, he manged to cut himself out from under the horse, and stand up. He leaned against and pressed his hand to a rock and it is said that the marks of his fingers remain there today, testimony to his great strength. Roland gazed at the terrible sights before him for a short time then tried to find a path towards France. He had to be careful because the enema were lying in wait. After two days and two nights of suffering, climbing and hiding himself behind rocky outcrops, Roland managed to reach the Ordesa valley. Once there, all he had to do was to climb over the steep mountains enclosing the valley. However, the enemy was near. He could already hear the sound of the troops pursuing him and feel the breath of the hounds sniffing his trail. Seeing that night was falling, Roland made a final great effort and managed to reach the last steep slopes of the mountain. Just as he was nearing the top, he saw a pack of tracker hounds approaching. He killed the dogs with his sword,Durandarte but was much weakened by his efforts. Looking down he saw troops. They had spotted him and were coming for him fast. He realized that he could not face up to them and, with his remaining strength, he threw his sword Durandarte to the other side of the mountain so that he could in some way touch and say farewell to his homeland. The sword did not reach the other side but instead slid down a slope and into Roland’s hands again. Three times Roland attempted the same, but each time the sword returned to him. Knowing that the end had come, Roland threw his sword with such a mighty final effort that the sword hit the mountain and split it in two,creating an open breach through which Roland was able to see his country for the last time. His pursuers found him dead there in the historic place, which is now inside the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, and is now known as Roland’s Breach.