The Emergence of Europe (286-843) Part XXVIII: The Song of Roland

2025-10-01

A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode twenty-nine explains that Charles invaded the Lombard kingdom, and beseiged the Lombard capital through the winter. The Lombard king was exiled to a remote monastery, and Charles announced that he was now king of the Franks and king of the Lombards. Taking a break from his conquest of the Saxons, Charles intervened in a Muslim civil war in al-Andalus, but the intervention was a disaster. Charles had been invited by several rulers in the northeast of the peninsula, but they refused to let his army enter their cities when they realized that Charles intended to stay in the region. Charles returned home, but unleashed his frustration on the Christian Basques, sacking their city Pamplona.

Cast of Characters:

Charles-king of Frankia, formerly king of Neustria, Frisia and northern Austrasia (768-771), eldest son of Pippin

Bernard-duke, illegitimate son of Charles Martel

Adalard-monk, son of Bernard

Roland-Lord of the Breton march, originally called Hroudloand

Desiderius-king of the Lombards (756-774)

Adelchis-son of Desiderius

Arichis-prince of Benevento (774-787), duke of Benvento (758-774), son-in-law of Desiderius

Hrodgaud-duke of Friuli (774-776)

Hadrian I-Pope (772-795)

Abd al-Rahman I-emir of the emirate of Cordoba (756-788), founder of the emirate

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