Historically, Charlemagne (742?-814), was king of the Franks and a committed, militant Christian. A loyal ally of the pope and a great conqueror, he forced conversions as he expanded the boundaries of his empire outward from his central territory, straddling present-day France and Germany. In 800 he was crowned emperor by the pope, legitimizing his rule over the former Roman empire in western Europe. After his death, he became legendary; it is this legendary Charlemagne, the most perfect Christian king, symbol of the spirit of the Crusades, and favorite of heaven, who is presented in «The Song of Roland» as leader of the Frankish troops and Roland's uncle and avenger. His name means literally, "Charles the Great." The Song of Roland emphasizes that Charlemagne's power is great but not absolute. Why? Because that's what the poem's 12th-century audience wanted to hear.
These French nobles were busy preserving the rights of the aristocracy and limiting the power of the Anglo-Norman kings, and they wanted French history to back them up. For more on how the poem reflects 12th-century ideals, click back to "Why Should I Care" or hit up "Setting."
In addition to government constraints, like the council and trial by jury, Charlemagne's power is also limited by things beyond his control, like Roland's stubbornness and Ganelon's treachery. Even Charlemagne's own religious devotion gets him into trouble, leading him to do whatever angels and God tell him to do. Gabriel says, Get up, and he does. Gabriel says, Go fight more pagans, and he has to, even though he cries and rips his beard.
All this makes Charlemagne vulnerable and melancholy as well as powerful and feared. He cries a lot and tugs his beard. He's often in positions of great anxiety without knowing what to do or feeling powerless. Remember his sadness when Roland joins the rearguard and he foresees the disaster but feels unable to stop it? Or when he hears the oliphant and knows Roland is in peril but cannot reach him fast enough? Or when he finds Roland's body and is so incapacitated by grief that he can't function for hours?
The final touching scene drives the point home that being emperor is a double-edged sword, providing the power to do so much but also the grief and exhaustion of actually doing it. Charlemagne turns out to be an old sad man in an emperor's body. He doesn't want to fight any more battles or lose any more men. All he wants to do is sleep and grieve.
But he is also still Charlemagne, defender of the Christian faith, and thus cannot resist the angel. He must go on with the business of being the Holy Roman Emperor.
Charlemagne’s Timeline
Charlemagne receives messengers from King Marsile and debates whether to continue fighting in Spain or hightail it back to France.
He then sends Ganelon to confer with Marsile.
Then he accepts Ganelon and Blancandrin's promise that Marsile will convert and become his vassal.
Because he lurves him so much, C-man appoints Roland leader of the rearguard and marches back to France.
He dreams disturbing dreams possibly related to Ganelon's treachery. Ruh-roh.
Because of this, he worries about Roland and his men.
He hears the oliphant and knows Roland is in trouble; starts to march back towards Spain.
He finds dead Roland and wails over the French losses.
Feelin' blue, he pursues the fleeing Spanish army, helped along by the sun standing still.
He destroys the Saracens, including the emir in one-on-one combat.
Then he seizes Saragossa and takes Queen Bramimonde back to France.
He breaks the news to Alda that her fiancé, Roland, is dead.
Then he oversees Ganelon's trial, not so secretly hoping for him to be condemned.
Finally, King C receives a vision of the Angel Gabriel, who brings tidings of not-too-great joy: more cities to be conquered, friend.
Sources:
https://www.shmoop.com/song-of-roland/charlemagne.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne
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