Although “The Song of Roland” is not historically accurate, it was considered by people to be a historical account at the time of its writing and inspired a fervent call to war against Islam and for more Crusades. Nevertheless, the poem is inconsistent, for instance the Franks had 120,000 men (20,000 of those were killed in action) at the beginning of the final battle, then somehow had 335,000. The pagan leader, Marsilie, had 20,000 men when the Franks went back to France, then had 400,000 troops when he attacked the rearguard. All of the Franks under Roland were killed, yet there was somehow an eyewitness. After Roland’s rearguard was attacked by Marsilie only three men remained: Roland, Turpin, and Gautier del Hum. Still, 40,000 cavalry and 1,000 infantry were supposedly afraid to march on these last three wounded knights. Miraculously, the injured archbishop Turpin killed 400 in his final stand, and Roland was slain as he tried to save the relics stored in his sword. 

Arriving to find his slaughtered rearguard, Charlemagne pursued the Muslims and won the battle after God stopped the setting of the sun in order to aid him. However the war was far from over, as the Muslim Emir arrived in Spain and vowed to Allah that he would defeat the French King, who returned to the battlefield and lamented Roland’s death. 

While he slept with his lance containing the spear of destiny, Charlemagne dreamt of two military conflicts but could not tell what either of the outcomes would be. When he awoke, there would be the final battle against the Emir: 335,000 Franks versus 3.5 million Muslims, who arrived in Spain on 4,000 ships. The two armies began to fight fiercely and God sent the Archangel Gabriel to aid Charlemagne. After the battle was over, a victorious Charlemagne now controlled all of Spain and sent the Arabs fleeing back to their homeland. Forced to convert to Christianity or die, many of the Muslims were executed, although 100,000 converted. Ganelon, the betrayer of Roland, received justice by being executed along with 29 of his relatives. Despite his unbelievable victory and his complete control of Spain, Charlemagne was informed by an angel that he had more major battles to fight against the evil forces of Islam. Hearing this, the battle-weary King wept and pulled his beard. 

The poem offers the sovereignty of God as the explanation for the stunning victories won by Charlemagne. Along with being a battle cry against Islam, the influential work is also about hubris and death. Roland was prideful, Charlemagne was not; rather he listened to the council. Described as a hero for his sacrifice leading to Charlemagne’s ultimate triumph, Roland was also responsible for his own death and 20,000 others due to his self-absorbed nature.