After repeated Muslims strikes, only 1,000 Christians defenders were left standing. Despite having 40,000 people, the Muslims were afraid to attack the last of the Crusaders. The Muslims did advance eventually, and Roland claimed that a wounded archbishop single-handedly killed 400 Muslims before dying. Roland too is killed after fending off 400 Muslims himself. Charlemagne then sent an army of Christians commanded by Marsilie to defeat the Muslims force.

Marsilie’s soldiers were defeated, and they lost 20,000 men. Consequently, Marsilie handed Spain over to the Muslim commander, who vowed to defeat Charlemagne. Charlemagne returned to the battlefield, where he found Roland’s body and lamented his death. Embittered by the loss, Charlemagne buries the 20,000 slain Christians, and promises that his kingdom will enact revenge. 

Charlemagne had an army of 335,000 men against the massive Arab force of 3.5 million. The Arriving Muslims come on 4,000 ships with thousands of people on each ship. It seemed impossible to defeat the waves of attackers, but God intervened to save Charlemagne and France. The Arabs fled and Charlemagne gained control of all of Spain. 100,000 Muslims in Spain converted and Marsilie died. 

Furthermore, the trial of Ganelon began and he and 29 of his relatives were executed. An angel told Charlemagne that he had another battle to win against the infidels. 

The poem “Song of Roland” was a call to war against Islam, and was used during the Crusades in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries. The poem was supposed to be about pride, death, and sacrifice.