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WordMaster #1125
All About Roland(1)Category: CrusaderSeptember-19-2014 11:07 PM PDT (10 years ago) Go to Blizzard forum post
I was curious about the flavor text on the Roland's Legacy set items, so I did some research on the internet to see how the name "Roland" relates to Crusaders.

It turns out that Roland was a Frankish military leader who served under Charlemagne during the 8th century. He died in 778 AD at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. His Frankish name was Hruodland.

Very little is known about Roland's actual life. However, in the centuries following his death he became a legendary figure in medieval Europe, appearing in many songs and stories. He was said to be the foremost of the Twelve Peers, a group of warriors in Charlemagne's court who were also known as paladins. In these stories, the Peers often travelled to the Holy Lands to battle the Saracens or retrieve stolen relics, so one might say they were on some sort of crusade as well.

Roland was known for his great strength and fiery temper. In combat, he wielded his indestructible sword Durendal, which he received from an angel. He also used an ivory hunting horn to rally his allies and call for aid. His horse was named Veillantif.

In the mythical account of his final battle, Roland was betrayed by his fellow paladin Ganelon and led into an ambush. He died while holding off an army of 100,000 Saracens, giving the rest of Charlemagne's forces time to escape. You can read all about it in "The Song of Roland", a tenth-century epic poem that's also the oldest surviving work of French literature. Here's a brief excerpt, albeit from an English translation:

First, an enemy commander named Aeroth tells Roland that he has been betrayed:

"Felons of France, so here on us you close!
Betrayed you has he that to guard you ought;
Mad is the King who left you in this post.
So shall the fame of France the Douce be lost,
And the right arm from Charles body torn."


Roland does not take this well.

When Roland hears, what rage he has, by God!
His steed he spurs, gallops with great effort;
He goes, that count, to strike with all his force,
The shield he breaks, the hauberk's seam unsews,
Slices the heart, and shatters up the bones,
All of the spine he severs with that blow,
And with his spear the soul from body throws
So well he's pinned, he shakes in the air that corse,
On his spear's hilt he's flung it from the horse:
So in two halves Aeroth's neck he broke...


Gratuitous fantasy violence for the win! Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed reading this little history. There's A LOT of interesting lore surrounding Roland and the Twelve Peers, and I've just scratched the surface of it.

Sources:

http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/391/pg391.html

http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/roland.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paladin
Avatar of Grimiku
Grimiku
All About Roland(3)September-19-2014 11:59 PM PDT (10 years ago) Go to Blizzard forum post
I'll have to ask around to find out more information about the Roland set, but that was a very interesting read, WordMaster. I wonder if the Roland you mentioned is the inspiration behind Roland Deschain?
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