This ambitious examination of all the proper names in the Chanson de Roland shows that in its presentation of both the Christian and non-Christian sides, it is finely structured even up to the smallest scenes, and at the same time, substantially worldlier than has been generally assumed. This makes it possible to retrace the outlines of the Chanson's long prehistory, though with diminishing certainty, as far back as the Frankish defeat of 778.

Autorentext

Gustav Adolf Beckmann, Professor emeritus, Trier University, Germany.