Theme of Christianity in The Song of Roland

By the time the epic The Song of Roland appeared in France in the 12th century, the figure of Roland as a legendary 8th-century hero and member of the court of Charlemagne had been well established. Equally, Charlemagne had been positioned in history as a champion of the Roman Church in Europe. Charlemagne's biographer Einhard, a member of the court, developed the king's biography in a way that would legitimate, rationalize--perhaps excuse--the behavior of Charlemagne as a conquering hero. It is Einhard's stated intent to immortalize a king by declaring moral weight and political legitimacy for Charlemagne's actions throughout Europe. Einhard refers to "all the wars that Charlemagne waged" (59). For example, Einhard reports that "everything stolen by the Longobard Kings was restored to Hadrian, the ruler of the Church of Rome" (61). Charlemagne had saved the Church, the most important and stable of medieval institutions; it follows that Charlemagne's mission as king and the Church's mission in the world are identified. As one of the courtiers in The Song of Roland puts it: "King of the Franks, be yours the grace of God; / That God whom all should serve" (SR 6). In his later years, having