The Song of Roland
The Song of Roland, composed in Old French around 1100, is the great epic of Charlemagne's wars in Spain. Betrayed by his stepfather Ganelon, Roland commands the rear guard at Roncevaux, where he, his friend Oliver and Archbishop Turpin face an overwhelming Saracen army, and Roland's pride and his refusal to sound his horn in time drive the tragedy. This translation by C. K. Scott-Moncrieff, published in 1919 and later overshadowed by his English version of Proust, keeps the poem's assonanced ten-syllable lines and its stanza structure, including the mysterious refrain AOI, so that the English reads with something of the rhythm of a chanted poem. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first poems are free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Song of Roland
The Song of Roland by Anonymous can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Song of Roland online?
Yes. The Song of Roland opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Song of Roland free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Song of Roland is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Song of Roland in the public domain?
Yes. The Song of Roland by Anonymous is a public-domain work, here in the translation by C. K. Scott-Moncrieff. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Song of Roland?
About 2 h 10 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Song of Roland?
The Song of Roland by Anonymous is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
