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Quizzes > History > Ancient & Medieval History

Do You Know Count Roland? Take the Quiz!

Ready for Count Roland trivia? Dive in and test your Frankish legend knowledge!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing Count Roland in armor raising a sword alongside bold quiz title text on teal background.

Think you know Count Roland? It's time to prove it with this free count roland quiz crafted for medieval history enthusiasts! You'll dive headfirst into frankish legend facts, from epic siege tactics to trumpet calls at Roncevaux, and discover how much you really know. Challenge yourself with count roland trivia and our count roland biography quiz or roland of paris quiz to unlock hidden stories of courage and loyalty. Whether you're a history buff or new to Carolingian lore, this challenge will sharpen your mind, entertain with vivid anecdotes, and ignite your passion for heroism. If you've tried our French trivia or warmed up with the vikings trivia , you're ready. Click start now and claim your title as the ultimate Roland expert!

Who was Count Roland's sovereign?
Charlemagne
King Arthur
William the Conqueror
King Pepin
Count Roland is celebrated as a loyal vassal and nephew of Charlemagne in the epic Song of Roland. His close association with Charlemagne underscores his role as one of the twelve peers of the Frankish king. source
Which frontier did Roland govern as a Frankish marquis?
Breton March
Lombard March
Spanish March
Barrier March
Historically and in legend, Roland is appointed marquis of the Breton March, the frontier between Brittany and Frankish lands. This position placed him on the western border of Charlemagne's empire. source
What is the name of Roland's legendary sword?
Excalibur
Durendal
Joyeuse
Gram
Durendal is the famed sword of Roland, said to be unbreakable and imbued with holy relics. It symbolizes his heroism and Christian faith. source
In which epic poem does Roland appear as the hero?
Beowulf
The Song of Roland
Nibelungenlied
The Divine Comedy
Roland is the central hero of The Song of Roland, an Old French epic (chanson de geste) recounting his valor and tragic death at Roncevaux. source
Who was Roland's closest friend and fellow paladin?
Oliver
Ganelon
Roland the Second
Ogier the Dane
Oliver is portrayed as Roland's close comrade, known for his prudence and bravery. Their friendship is a key element of the narrative. source
At which pass did Roland make his final stand?
Pass of Thermopylae
Battle of Hastings
Roncevaux Pass
Col de Porte
Roland and the rear guard were ambushed at Roncevaux Pass in the Pyrenees, where he fought heroically until his death. source
Which horn did Roland use to call for help?
Aulos
Olifant
Cornu
Buccina
Roland blows the olifant, a war horn made from an elephant tusk, to summon Charlemagne’s aid, but he delays too long. source
What relation was Roland to Charlemagne?
Brother
Son
Nephew
Cousin
Legend describes Roland as Charlemagne’s nephew, which highlights his noble lineage and the personal nature of his loyalty. source
What does the name “Durendal” traditionally signify in Old French?
Firebrand
Unbreakable
Lightning
Shadowbane
Durendal is often interpreted as deriving from Old French roots suggesting indestructibility or enduring strength. This emphasizes the sword’s legendary power. source
Which literary genre does The Song of Roland belong to?
Epic poem
Romance novel
Historical chronicle
Lyric ballad
The Song of Roland is classified as an epic poem, specifically a chanson de geste, recounting heroic deeds of Charlemagne’s knights. source
Which relic is NOT said to be embedded in the hilt of Durendal?
Hair of the Virgin Mary
Shroud of Turin
Bone of Saint Denis
Blood of Saint Basil
Legend holds that Durendal’s hilt contains relics like a tooth of Saint Peter and hair of the Virgin Mary, but the Shroud of Turin is unrelated and centuries later. source
How many peers, including Roland, served as Charlemagne's foremost knights?
Seven
Twelve
Twenty
Ten
The legend lists twelve peers of France, with Roland among them as one of the principal knights of Charlemagne. source
Which group ambushed Roland and the rear guard at Roncevaux?
Vikings
Basques
Saxons
Moors
Historically, Basque forces at Roncevaux Pass ambushed the rearguard; the epic transforms them into Saracens but originally they were local Basque tribes. source
The Song of Roland is part of which legendary cycle?
Matter of Britain
Matter of France
Matter of Rome
Matter of Germany
The Song of Roland belongs to the Matter of France, a cycle of epic tales celebrating Charlemagne and his knights. source
Which code of conduct is Roland often seen as embodying?
Chivalry
Stoicism
Feudalism
Monasticism
Roland’s loyalty, courage, and defense of Christianity epitomize medieval chivalry, the knightly code of conduct. source
In the Song of Roland, what poetic device binds the laisses?
Rhyming couplets
Assonance
Syllabic meter
Alliteration
Laisses in the Song of Roland are linked by assonance—repetition of vowel sounds—rather than strict rhyme schemes. source
Why does Roland initially refuse to blow the olifant for Charlemagne?
Fear of harming his men
Excessive pride and shame at calling for help
He lost the horn
He did not recognize the danger
Roland’s pride prevents him from calling for aid too soon, as he fears it will damage his reputation among Charlemagne’s court. source
Which relic is included in Durendal’s hilt according to the epic?
Tooth of Saint Peter
Nail of the True Cross
Feather of Gabriel
Ring of Solomon
The Song of Roland describes Durendal’s hilt housing a tooth of Saint Peter, among other revered relics. source
What is the metrical form of The Song of Roland?
Decasyllabic lines
Iambic pentameter
Hexameter
Blank verse
The Song of Roland is composed in decasyllabic verses, a common metrical form for Old French epic poetry. source
How does Roland ultimately die in the epic?
Poisoned by enemies
Crushed by falling boulder
Bleeds to death after head injury
Drowns in a river
Roland succumbs to a fatal head wound sustained from striking his sword against a rock in despair, bleeding out on the battlefield. source
Where does Roland place Durendal as he lies dying?
Under his head as a pillow
Within his scabbard
Across his chest
Laid at his feet
In the epic, Roland lays Durendal across his chest before drawing his final breath, underlining the bond between knight and sword. source
Who discovers Roland’s body after the battle at Roncevaux?
The Basque victors
Charlemagne’s returning army
Oliver alone
A wandering hermit
Charlemagne’s forces return at dawn and find Roland and the fallen rear guard at Roncevaux Pass, confirming the tragic outcome. source
Which adversaries serve as the antagonists in The Song of Roland?
Saracens
Vikings
Romans
Mongols
In medieval epic tradition, Roland’s foes are depicted as Saracens (Muslims), framing the conflict as a religious and cultural clash. source
Which Renaissance epic drew inspiration from The Song of Roland and features a hero named Orlando?
Orlando Furioso
Orlando Innamorato
La Gerusalemme Liberata
The Divine Comedy
Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso is a 16th-century epic that continues Roland’s legend in Italian chivalric romance. source
In which century is the historical Roland believed to have lived?
6th century
8th–9th century
10th century
12th century
The real Roland likely lived in the late 8th to early 9th century, serving Charlemagne before his death at Roncevaux in 778. source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Count Roland's Historical Context -

    Examine Roland's role as a Frankish warrior and noble, and understand how his deeds influenced early medieval Europe.

  2. Recall Key Episodes from Roland's Battles -

    Summarize major events like the Battle of Roncevaux Pass and Roland's valorous stand to prepare for trivia challenges.

  3. Identify Main Characters and Themes in the Song -

    Recognize Roland's allies and adversaries, and grasp the chivalric and moral themes that define his epic legend.

  4. Differentiate Legend from Biography in Count Roland's Story -

    Distinguish between documented historical facts and later legendary embellishments in his life and exploits.

  5. Evaluate Frankish Legend Facts -

    Critically assess the accuracy of popular tales and epic poetry about Roland within the broader context of medieval lore.

  6. Apply Knowledge in the Count Roland Trivia Quiz -

    Use your understanding of count roland trivia and the roland of paris quiz to master the questions and prove your expertise.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Historical Context in the Frankish Empire -

    Count Roland served under Charlemagne during the late 8th century, playing a pivotal role in the empire's expansion into Iberia. The famous Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778, documented in Einhard's chronicles (Einhard, Vita Karoli Magni, ca. 830), marks Roland's legendary stand against Basque forces. Mnemonic trick: "Roland Rode Rapidly at Roncevaux" helps you recall both his name and battle year.

  2. The Song of Roland: Epic Foundation -

    Composed around the 11th century and preserved in the British Library's Harley MS 978 (Harley Catalogue, UK), The Song of Roland is the oldest major work of French literature. It portrays Roland's loyalty, bravery, and tragic death, shaping "count roland trivia" across medieval studies. Remember: "Singing of Roland's Valor" to associate the title with epic poetry.

  3. Roland's Signature Horn, the Olifant -

    The olifant, Roland's ivory horn, symbolizes fealty and the call for aid; he famously blows it too late, leading to his demise (Cambridge University Press, Medieval Armour Studies). Try the rhyme "Olifant for One, Olé!" to recall both the instrument and its lone heroic blast. This artifact highlights key "frankish legend facts" in your "roland of paris quiz."

  4. Chivalry and Heroic Ideals -

    Roland embodies medieval chivalric codes - valor, loyalty, and self-sacrifice - as analyzed in the Journal of Medieval History (Vol. 42, 2016). His portrayal influenced later knights' conduct and the chanson de geste genre. Use the acronym "VLS" (Valor, Loyalty, Sacrifice) to remember his core virtues for any "count roland biography quiz."

  5. Legacy in Art and Popular Culture -

    From 19th-century sculptures in Paris to modern film adaptations, Roland's legend persists as cultural iconography (Musée de Cluny archives). His image appears in festivals and quizzes worldwide, making "count roland trivia" a fun way to connect with medieval lore. Picture a statue of Roland on horseback to cement his enduring presence.

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