The Song of Roland: Epic Tales of Conquest & Empire

Alongside Beowulf and Gawain and the Green Knight this masterpiece of epic literature gives a rare insight into the wars of empire and civilisation in the post-Romanic Era of Europe.

Gorgeous Collector's Edition. Readers of Beowulf and Gawain and the Green Knight will find much to enjoy in The Song of Roland, among the finest and oldest works of French literature. When a bitter act of betrayal leads to a surprise attack from the Saracen army, the great Frankish warrior Roland must lead Charlemagne's forces to fend off the attackers in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. This Flame Tree Collector's Edition brings together two English translations of the famous epic poem, one version in verse and another in prose, eliciting new insights into the medieval work. A grand struggle between honour and betrayal, courage and cowardice, justice and treason – Roland's plight remains resonant today.

Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

Robyn Lowrie (Introduction), a seasoned scholar of modern languages, literature, history, and art, brings over 25 years of university teaching and content and copy editorial experience to her work. Her graduate studies at the Sorbonne inform her interdisciplinary approach to French literary analysis and historical content. Through her website, www.frenchquest.com, she offers accessible, research-based commentary for students and scholars. She recently translated Sartre’s work for The Faces of Contemporary Phenomenology and her deep interest in The Song of Roland bridges medieval French history, Old French, poetic form, and translation studies.

Jake Jackson (General Editor) has written, edited and contributed to over 20 books. Related works include studies of Babylonian creation myths, the philosophy to time and William Blake's use of mythology in his visionary literature.