nificant part to be understood as a fulfillment of Jewish law, so was Charlemagne's activity meant to be understood as a fulfillment of the mission of Christianity in the shape of the Church. This dynamic is in the background of The Song of Roland, though the focus of the epic poem is on Roland's adventures, betrayal, and death in the context of France's battles with the "Paynim [pagan, Saracen] King of Spain."
The narrative plot of The Song of Roland illustrates the nature of Christianity in the work, or more exactly the nature of Charlemagne's military mission as a proxy for the spread and hegemony of Christianity in Europe. The poem deals with the deceitful intention of the Saracen king of Spain (Marsila), aided by a traitorous member of Charlemagne's court (Ganelon), to declare himself a Christian only to lure Charlemagne's forces into an ambush. Charlemagne tells Marsila that he may retain half of Spain by converting to Christianity, or alternatively to be "tried and judged, / There to be slain in shame and vile estate" (SR 17). Ganelon, who hates Roland, tells Marsila that Roland will take the other half of Spain if Marsila converts and conspires with Marsila to ambush and kill Roland and his troop. At that point Ganelon returns to Charlemagne with Marsila's false promise to convert to Christianity, having been promised riches by Marsila. Roland volunteers to hold Spain for Charlemagne at Ronceval, and Charlemagne returns to France, fearful for Roland's safety. Lying in wait for Roland's troop are Marsila's forces, whose leader intends to kill Count Roland in the name of Islam: "Him shall I strike down / With this my spear. Mahomet aiding me, / And so set free the uttermost ends of Spain" (SR 31). Marsila's forces are characterized as being "gluttonous for Christian blood" (33). When the battle is finally engaged, Roland leads 20,000 Franks into battle, "soldiers of the Christian faith, / Willing to die for God" (SR 41),...