Song of Roland

Alongside Beowulf and Gawain and the Green Knight this masterpiece of epic literature gives a rare insight into the wars of empire and civilisation in the post-Romanic Era of Europe. Gorgeous Collector’s Edition. Readers of Beowulf and Gawain and the Green Knight will find much to enjoy in The Song of Roland, among the finest and oldest works of French literature. When a bitter act of betrayal leads to a surprise attack from the Saracen army, the great Frankish warrior Roland must lead Charlemagne’s forces to fend off the attackers in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. This Flame Tree Collector’s Edition brings together two English translations of the famous epic poem, one version in verse and another in prose, eliciting new insights into the medieval work. A grand struggle between honour and betrayal, courage and cowardice, justice and treason ? Roland’s plight remains resonant today.