Characters in the Song of Roland

How many characters do you know from the Song of Roland, the national epic poem of France? This epic is the story of the Battle of Roncesvalles. Turold or Turoldus is a name that appears on the oldest extant manuscript of The Song of Roland. He is sometimes credited as the epic’s author. Roland is a noble paladin who is the nephew of Charlemagne, emperor of the Franks. In addition to Roland and Charlemagne, the poem features a large cast of characters.

As of July 2024, only these characters have appeared in Jeopardy! clues:

Charlemagne, a powerful ruler of the Franks, both wise and fair, who is said to receive messages from the Archangel Gabriel. After Ganelon’s betrayal, Charlemagne avenges Roland.

Roland, the bravest knight in Charlemagne’s court, albeit impulsive. Charlemagne’s favorite nephew, Roland is the son of Charlemagne’s sister and Ganelon.

Ganelon, Roland’s stepfather and advisor to Charlemagne. His treachery leads to Roland’s death.

Queen Bramimonde, the wife of the Saracen king. She converts to Christianity after being captured (So far her hubby hot-tempered husband and Charlemagne’s enemy, King Marsile, has not been in a clue).

Ogier: a Dane who fights for Charlemagne.

Thierry: The Duke of Argonne and follower of Charlemagne.

Turpin: An Archbishop that fights with the French army.

The majority of these Jeopardy! clues based on the Song of Roland appear in Double Jeopardy!

LITERATURE OF THE MIDDLE AGES: The “Chanson de” or “Song of” this hero tells of his death & the vengeance taken on the traitor Ganelon

QUEENS OF THE LITERARY REALM: Queen Bramimonde is a Spanish Saracen queen who questions her faith in this “Song” of France

IT’S EPIC: Come blow your horn at the Battle of Roncesvalles, the climax of this Old French epic “Song”

GETTING MEDIEVAL ON YOU: The 12th c. “Song” of this vassal of Charlemagne tells of his heroic death in a Saracen ambush

KEEPING UP WITH THE CAROLINGIANS: The poet Turold is thought to have penned this chanson about a Carolingian hero at the Battle of Roncesvalles

“SONG” OF POETS: An insignificant battle between Charlemagne & the Basques at Roncesvalles is the basis for this French epic poem

EPIC POEMS AS COUNTRY SONGS: 11th century: “If you’re looking for a sure thing, baby, take a Chanson me”

SOLDIER OF MISFORTUNE: Sing a “song” for this nephew of Charlemagne, lost with the rear guard at the battle of Roncesvalles

DISTURBIN’ LEGENDS: In the “Chanson de” or “Song of” this hero, he’s betrayed by the jealous Ganelon

MEDIEVAL BESTSELLERS: Yours for a “Song” is this French epic hero who is the nephew of Charlemagne

MYTHS & LEGENDS: The most famous Chanson de Geste, “The Song of” this paladin is 4,002 lines long

THE AGE OF CHIVALRY: Oliver was the sworn friend of this paladin who’s celebrated in a famous “song”

THE MIDDLE AGES: This famous “Song” is a romanticized account of the Battle of Roncesvalles, fought in 778

WORLD LITERATURE: Though some credit him as author, Turoldus was probably just the scribe who copied this French epic poem

FRENCH LITERATURE: “The Song of Roland”, most famous French epic, centers around this medieval ruler

Final Jeopardy! Round: MEDIEVAL LITERATURE: Characters in this epic 4,002-line poem include Count Ogier, Duke Thierry & Archbishop Turpin of Reims

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More characters from The Song of Roland:

Oliver: Roland’s best friend, comrade
Aude: Roland’s fiancé and Oliver’s sister
Baligant: The Emir of Babylon or Cairo, ally of Marsile
Blancandrin: Advisor to Marsile
Pinabel: fierce French warrior, a relative of Ganelon

Other Terms from The Song of Roland
Joyeuse: sword of Charlemagne
Durendal: sword of Roland
Hauteclere: sword of Oliver
Almace: sword of Turpin
Murgles: sword of Ganelon
Precieuse & Maltet: swords of Baligant
Oliphant: a hunting horn. When the rear guard gets ambushed, Roland refuses to use his oliphant to call for help until it is too late