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Roland is in many ways the perfect knight. Strong, courageous, and honorable he is
loved by his king, Charlemagne, and worshipped by his men. He has only one enemy,
his stepfather, Ganelon. When given the chance Ganelon betrays his king, his
country and his people to take revenge on Roland.

The story begins in Spain where Charlemagne has been harrassing the Saracens (a
medieval term for Muslims) defeating them in many battles and besieging their major
cities. The Muslim king Marsilion hatches a plan to trick Charlemegne into leaving.
He promises Charlemagne many lavish gifts, tribute, and hostages if he will go back
to France and wait for Marsilion to follow. He further promises that when he comes
to Charlemagne's court to swear loyalty to him, he will also convert to
Christianity. Charlemagne beleives him and prepares to leave. He sends Ganelon, at
Roland's suggestion, to take the message of his acceptance to Marsilion. Ganelon
uses the opportunity to create a plan to kill Roland. He promises the Saracens that
he will support their plan and arrange for Roland to lead the rear guard that will
protect the Charlemagne's back as he turns for France. He arranges for the Saracens
to attack Roland's forces with a much larger force. The plan goes just the way
Ganelon predicts and Roland is ambushed. When they realize the size of the Saracen
force, Roland's friend Oliver tries to convince him to blow his great horn,
Oliphant, for help. Roland refuses to blow the horn and the French fight a
magnificent battle, but they are overnumbered and the tide turns against them.
Although, Roland knows it is too late far any help to come, he blows his horn so
that Charlemagne will know what happened to them. Soon after he is struck in the
head and dies, going directly to Paradise.

When Charlemagne arrives, he grieves deeply at the death of his men, particularly
Roland. He first allows his army to chase the fleeing Saracens into a river where
they drown. Then he gathers them to grieve and bury the dead. The Saracens return
with reinforcements under the Emir, Baligant, and meet Charlemagne's forces in
battle. The battle is fought fiercely on both sides but Charlemagnes forces prevail
and the Saracens flee. Charlemagne returns victoriously to his court in Aix with
Marsilion's wife hwo has sworn to embrace Christ.

Soon after the battle, the Franks dedeuce Ganelon's treachery and he is brought
back to Aix in chains for trial. Found guilty in a trial by combat, Ganelon is
subjected to a painful death as a traitor.