Roland
Saint-Gall: Stadtbibliothek


From a brief historical mention as one of the Counts in the court of Charlemagne, Roland grew, in The Song of Roland, into the pre-eminent champion of Christendom, who died fighting Saracens in the Pass of Roncesvalles. He refused to sound his horn for help, lest he should appear cowardly and thereby dishonor France.