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39-520: Durendal , also spelled Durandal , is the sword of Roland , a legendary paladin and partially historical officer of Charlemagne in French epic literature. The sword is famous for its hardness and sharpness. Sources including La Chanson de Roland ( The Song of Roland ) state that it first belonged to the young Charlemagne. According to one legend, at the end of the Battle of Roncevaux Roland hurled

78-530: A break, and after he had placed garrisons at selected points along the border, [Charles] marched into Spain [in 778] with as large a force as he could mount. His army passed through the Pyrenees and [Charles] received the surrender of all the towns and fortified places he encountered. He was returning [to Francia] with his army safe and intact, but high in the Pyrenees on that return trip he briefly experienced

117-602: A highly romanticized account of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass and Roland's death, setting the tone for later fantastical depiction of Charlemagne's court. It was adapted and modified throughout the Middle Ages, including an influential Latin prose version Historia Caroli Magni (latterly known as the Pseudo-Turpin Chronicle ), which also includes Roland's battle with a Saracen giant named Ferracutus who

156-477: A jewel on the nasal that even sustains blows from Aumon's sword Durendal (vv. 5894–95, 5937–47). But Aumon strips this helm away and Charlemagne is in mortal danger, when Roland arrives (v. 6009). Roland defeats Aumon and saves Charlemagne. Roland captures Aumon's sword Durendal and his horse Viellantif ("Wideawake", OF : Vielantiu ), and his olifant (laisse 309, vv. 6075–80). Charles knights Roland, girding him with Durendal (laisse 377–8, vv. 7480–7510). In

195-565: A mighty giant, usually a heathen, capable of launching huge stones. The Basque word erraldoi (giant) stems from Errol(d)an , as pointed out by the linguist Koldo Mitxelena . Jean Lannes , a Marshal of the First French Empire, was given the nickname Roland de l'Armée d'Italie, which later became Roland de la Grande Armée , for his bravery and charisma. A statue of Roland stands in the city of Rolândia in Brazil. The city

234-465: A piece of the raiment of Mary, mother of Jesus . According to legend as recounted in the poem, at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass Roland took the rearguard to hold off Saracen troops long enough for Charlemagne's army to retreat into France. He slew a vast number of enemies: wielding Durendal, he sliced the right arm of the Saracen king Marsile , decapitated the king's son Jursaleu or Jurfaleu and put

273-521: A sword fashioned from sheet metal was embedded in a cleft in a cliff wall, secured with a chain. That sword was reported stolen in June 2024. A sword named Durendal appears in a number of fantasy video games. In Final Fantasy Legend III (1991) it's one of four mystic swords (its name shortened to 'Durend' due to character limitations). In the Super Sentai series Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (1992).

312-469: Is James A. Bellamy 's Arabic etymology, explaining a possible origin of the sword's name in ḏū l-jandal ( ذو الجندل ), meaning "master of stone". According to legend, the sword was capable of cutting through giant boulders with a single strike, and was indestructible. In La Chanson de Roland ( The Song of Roland ), the sword is said to contain within its golden hilt a tooth of Saint Peter , blood of Basil of Caesarea , hair of Saint Denis , and

351-406: Is not considered a full adult). The armies reach Aspremont , and Charlemagne's paladins Naimes and Girart d'Eufrate prove their worth. Roland joins the battle by arming himself with a rod ( Old French : tronçon ) and mounting a horse (vv. 4969–71), and later commandeering Duke Naime's horse Morel (vv. 5749–5755). Charlemagne fights Aumon in single combat, initially protected by a helm with

390-626: Is only vulnerable at his navel. The story was later adapted in the anonymous Franco-Venetian epic L'Entrée d'Espagne ( c.  1320) and in the 14th-century Italian epic La Spagna , attributed to the Florentine Sostegno di Zanobi and likely composed between 1350 and 1360. Other texts give further legendary accounts of Roland's life. His friendship with Olivier and his engagement with Olivier's sister Aude are told in Girart de Vienne by Bertrand de Bar-sur-Aube . Roland's youth and

429-742: The Basques in Iberia at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass . The story of Roland's death at Roncevaux Pass was embellished in later medieval and Renaissance literature . The first and most famous of these epic treatments was the Old French Chanson de Roland of the 11th century. Two masterpieces of Italian Renaissance poetry, the Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso (by Matteo Maria Boiardo and Ludovico Ariosto , respectively), are even further detached from history than

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468-460: The Basques . That place is so thoroughly covered with thick forest that it is the perfect spot for an ambush. [Charles's] army was forced by the narrow terrain to proceed in a long line and [it was at that spot], high on the mountain, that the Basques set their ambush. [...] The Basques had the advantage in this skirmish because of the lightness of their weapons and the nature of the terrain, whereas

507-568: The Chanson de Roland and Roland's companion Oliver . Aspremont (chanson de geste) In this tale, the African Saracen king Agolant and his son Aumon (Almons, Eaumond ) invade Calabria and defy Charlemagne (Charles) through their messenger Balan (vv. 1ff; 604ff). Charlemagne's troops come to fight them, but Charlemagne's nephew Roland is not allowed to join the battle due to his young age (referred to as "Rolandin", he

546-667: The Lot department , a local legend holds that instead of dying with Durendal hidden under his body, Roland called on the Archangel Michael for assistance and was able to throw the sword several hundred kilometres across the border into France, where it came to rest in Rocamadour. There it was deposited in the chapel of Mary, but was stolen by Henry the Young King in 1183. Successive replicas have been stolen; most recently

585-772: The Song of Aspremont , the owner of Durendal just before Roland obtained it was a Saracen named Aumon, son of king Agolant ,. Young Roland mounted Naimes's horse Morel without permission, and armed only with a rod, defeated Aumon, taking as spoils both the sword and the horse Veillantif . These materials were combined in the Italian prose Aspramonte by Andrea da Barberino in the late 14th to early 15th century. That work stated that after young Carlo (Charlemagne) came into possession of Durindarda (Durendal) by killing Bramante in Spain, Galafro gave it to Galiziella, who then gave it to Almonte

624-416: The xianxia -inspired series of novels The Godking's Legacy by author Virlyce, Durandal is the name of one of the main characters, a sentient sword that previously belonged to the legendary warrior-mage Roland. In The Dresden Files book series, Durendal is one of three powerful swords and is linked to the emotion of hope. In the light novel and anime series High School DxD , the historical Durandal that

663-550: The "cult of personality" of Orlando the hero. The Orlando narrative inspired several composers, amongst whom were Claudio Monteverdi , Jean-Baptiste Lully , Antonio Vivaldi and George Frideric Handel , who composed an Italian-language opera with Orlando . In Germany , Roland gradually became a symbol of the independence of the growing cities from the local nobility. In the late Middle Ages many cities featured defiant statues of Roland in their marketplaces. The Roland in Wedel

702-544: The Franks were disadvantaged by the heaviness of their arms and the unevenness of the land. Eggihard, the overseer of the king's table, Anselm, the count of the palace, and Roland, the lord of the Breton March , along with many others died in that skirmish. But this deed could not be avenged at that time, because the enemy had so dispersed after the attack that there was no indication as to where they could be found. Roland

741-844: The Heaven of Mars together with others who fought for the faith. Roland appears in Entrée d'Espagne , a 14th-century Franco-Venetian chanson de geste (in which he is transformed into a knight errant , similar to heroes from the Arthurian romances ) and La Spagna , a 14th-century Italian epic. From the 15th century onwards, Roland appears as a central character in a sequence of Italian verse romances as "Orlando", including Morgante by Luigi Pulci , Orlando Innamorato by Matteo Maria Boiardo , and Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto . (See below for his later history in Italian verse.) The Orlandino of Pietro Aretino then waxed satirical about

780-594: The acquisition of his horse Veillantif and sword are described in Aspremont . Roland also appears in Quatre Fils Aymon , where he is contrasted with Renaud de Montauban against whom he occasionally fights. In Norway , the tales of Roland are part of the 13th-century Karlamagnús saga . In the Divine Comedy Dante sees Roland, named Orlando as is usual in Italian literature, in

819-641: The borders of Brittany"), indicating that he presided over the Breton March , Francia 's border territory against the Bretons . The passage, which appears in Chapter 9, mentions that Hroudlandus (a Latinization of the Frankish *Hrōþiland , from *hrōþi , "praise"/"fame" and * land , "country") was among those killed in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass: While he was vigorously pursuing the Saxon war , almost without

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858-632: The earlier Chansons , similarly to the later Morgante by Luigi Pulci . Roland is poetically associated with his sword Durendal , his horse Veillantif , and his oliphant horn. In the late 17th century, French Baroque composer Jean-Baptiste Lully wrote an opera titled Roland , based on the story of the title character. The only historical mention of the actual Roland is in the Vita Karoli Magni by Charlemagne 's courtier and biographer Einhard . Einhard refers to him as Hruodlandus Brittannici limitis praefectus ("Roland, prefect of

897-730: The main protagonists. A sword named Durandal is in Chained Echoes (2022). In Terraria , Durendal is a weapon that the player is able to craft, but it's a whip rather than a sword. Durendal is the name of a spaceship in Xenosaga , of a psychotic AI in Marathon , and of an organization in Front Mission 4 . The name also appears in Fate/Grand Order (2015). A sword named Durendal also appears in literature. In

936-538: The monster Dora Knight wields a magic sword called Durandal. In the Fire Emblem videogame series, Durandal is the name of the legendary claymore sword wielded by one of the characters. Durandal is the name of a character in Honkai Impact 3rd ; her namesake is the super-AI Holy Blade Durandal, which takes the form of a sword. In Library of Ruina (2020), Durandal is the signature weapon of Roland, one of

975-519: The mountain pass Roland's Breach and the rock formation Salto de Roldán . In Catalonia Roland (or Rotllà , as it is rendered in Catalan) became a legendary giant. Numerous places in Catalonia (both North and South) have a name related to Rotllà . In step with the trace left by the character in the whole Pyrenean area, Basque Errolan turns up in numerous legends and place-names associated with

1014-591: The name "'Durendal' is interpreted to mean [that] it gives a hard strike" ( Durenda interpretatur durum ictum cum ea dans ). It has been argued that the Pseudo-Turpin offering a gloss of the meaning constitutes evidence that it was a name that was not readily understood in French. One non-French etymology is Edwin B. Place's attempt to construe it in Breton as diren dall , meaning "blade [that] dulls cutting edge" or "blade [that] blinds". Another

1053-504: The one-hundred-thousand-strong army to flight. His mission accomplished, Roland then attempted to destroy Durendal by hitting it against blocks of marble, to prevent it from being captured by the Saracens, but the sword proved to be indestructible. Finally, mortally wounded, he hid it beneath his body as he lay dying along with the oliphant , the horn he had used to alert Charlemagne. The sword has been given various provenances. Several of

1092-536: The present-day Gallo language and legends of local heroes such as Roland. Roland's successor in Brittania Nova was Guy of Nantes , who like Roland, was unable to exert Frankish expansion over Brittany and merely sustained a Breton presence in the Carolingian Empire . According to legend, Roland was laid to rest in the basilica at Blaye , near Bordeaux , on the site of the citadel. Roland

1131-472: The son of Agolante (i.e., French : Aumon ). Galiziella is glossed as the bastard daughter of Agolante, making her Almonte's half-sister. Durindana is eventually won by Orlandino (young Orlando). Andrea da Barberino was a major source for later Italian writers. Boiardo 's Orlando innamorato traces the sword's origin to Hector of Troy ; it belonged for a while to the Amazonian queen Pantasilea , and

1170-911: The sword from him to prevent its being seized by the Saracens , and it came to rest in Rocamadour . A replica sword that was embedded in a rock face there was reported stolen in June 2024. The name Durendal arguably begins with the French dur- stem, meaning "hard", though "enduring" may be the intended meaning. Rita Lejeune argues that the name may break down into durant + dail , which may be rendered in English as "strong scythe" or explained in more detail to mean "a scimitar or scythe that holds up, resists, endures". Gerhard Rohlfs suggests dur + end'art , "strong flame" or "[a flame] burns strongly from it". The Pseudo-Turpin explains that

1209-562: The works of the Matter of France agree that it was forged by Wayland the Smith , who is commonly cited as a maker of weapons in chivalric romances . According to La Chanson de Roland , an angel brought Durendal to Charlemagne in the vale of Moriane, and Charlemagne then gave it to Roland. According to the 12th-century fragmentary chanson de geste known as Mainet (referring to the pseudonym that Charlemagne adopted in his youth), Durendal

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1248-486: Was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France . The historical Roland was military governor of the Breton March , responsible for defending Francia 's frontier against the Bretons . His only historical attestation is in Einhard 's Vita Karoli Magni , which notes he was part of the Frankish rearguard killed in retribution by

1287-587: Was erected in 1450 as symbol of market and Hanseatic justice, and the Roland statue in front of Bremen City Hall (1404) has been listed together with the city hall itself on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 2004. In the Faroe Islands , Roland appears in the ballad of "Runtsivalstríðið" (Battle of Roncevaux) . In Aragón there are several placenames related to Roldán or Rolando, including

1326-405: Was established by German immigrants, many of them refugees from Nazi Germany, who named their new home after Roland to represent freedom. Roland is a servant in the game Fate/Grand Order , portrayed as a faithful servant to God and a righteous paladin. The English expression "to give a Roland for an Oliver", meaning either to offer a quid pro quo or to give as good as one gets , recalls

1365-516: Was evidently the first official appointed to direct Frankish policy in Breton affairs, as local Franks under the Merovingian dynasty had not previously pursued any specific relationship with the Bretons. Their frontier castle districts such as Vitré, Ille-et-Vilaine , south of Mont Saint-Michel , are now divided between Normandy and Brittany. The distinctive culture of this region preserves

1404-572: Was first used by Roland is wielded by a current character. Durandel is used as a name, although not of a sword, in the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED , Macross Frontier , and Space Battleship Tiramisu , and in the live-action tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Saber (2020) and the spinoff Kamen Rider Sabela & Durendal (2022). Roland Roland ( French pronunciation: [ʁɔ.lɑ̃] ; Old Frankish : * Hrōþiland ; Medieval Latin : Hruodlandus or Rotholandus ; Italian : Orlando or Rolando ; died 15 August 778)

1443-608: Was once captured, but not kept, by the young Charlemagne when he fled to Spain. Young Charles (Mainés in the text) slays Braimant, obtaining his sword (Durendaus). This tale is better preserved in some non- chanson de geste texts, and in adaptations such as the Franco-Italian Karleto . According to the Low-German version Karl Mainet , the place of combat was near the vale of Moriane (Vael Moriale), near Toledo. According to another 12th-century chanson de geste ,

1482-420: Was passed down to Almonte before Orlando gained possession of it. Ludovico Ariosto 's Orlando Furioso follows Boiardo, saying it once belonged to Hector of Troy, but that it was given to Roland by Malagigi ( Maugris ). Tradition has it that Roland's Breach in the Pyrenees was created when Roland, attempting to break Durendal, instead cut a huge gash in the mountainside with one blow. In Rocamadour , in

1521-530: Was turned into a popular and iconic figure of medieval Europe and its minstrel culture. Many tales made him a nephew of Charlemagne and turned his life into an epic tale of the noble Christian killed by hostile forces, which forms part of the medieval Matter of France . The tale of Roland's death is retold in the 11th-century poem The Song of Roland , where he is equipped with the olifant (a signaling horn) and an unbreakable sword, enchanted by various Christian relics, named Durendal . The Song contains

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