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Roland d.778
Semi-legendary French knight

The hero of the Chanson de Roland (11th century, 'The Song of Roland'), and most celebrated of the Paladins of Charlemagne, he is said to have been Charlemagne's nephew, and the ideal of a Christian knight. The only evidence for his historical existence is a passage in Einhard's Life of Charlemagne, which refers to Roland as having fallen at Roncesvalles, fighting against the Basques. Matteo Maria Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato and Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso depart widely from the old traditions.