 |
Roncesvalles
(4 syl.). A defile in the Pyrenees, famous for the diaster
which here befell the rear of Charlemagne's army, on the return march
from Saragossa. Ganelon betrayed Roland, out of jealousy, to Marsillus,
King of the Saracens, and an ambuscade attacking the Franks, killed
every man of them. Amongst the slain were Roland, Oliver, Turpin, and
Mitaine, the emperor's godchild. An account of this attack is given in
the epilogue of Croquemitaine; but the historical narrative is
derived from Eginhard.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Roncesvalles from Infoplease:
See a map of "" in the Visual Thesaurus
|
|
