Q 01/05

Which people really ambushed Charlemagne's rearguard, though The Song of Roland blames Saracens?

A) Visigoths

B) Basques

C) Lombards

D) Saxons

Answer · why

B) Basques

Basques, lightly armed and at home on the forested heights, cut down the heavy Frankish column and scattered before anyone could retaliate.

Q 02/05

In The Song of Roland, what finally kills Roland, the hero no Saracen manages to cut down?

A) A poisoned arrow

B) A falling boulder

C) A burst temple

D) A traitor's dagger

Answer · why

C) A burst temple

A burst temple, from the sheer force of sounding his horn, kills Roland rather than any enemy blow. The blast still carries far enough for Charlemagne...

Q 03/05

Which Frankish baron betrays the rearguard after Roland names him for a deadly embassy?

A) Naimon

B) Berengier

C) Anseis

D) Ganelon

Answer · why

D) Ganelon

Ganelon insists at his trial that it was private revenge, not treason, and the barons nearly let him go.

Q 04/05

Which sword does Roland carry, a blade said to have come to Charlemagne from an angel?

A) Durendal

B) Excalibur

C) Tizona

D) Balmung

Answer · why

A) Durendal

Durendal grew grander with each retelling: later Italian epics claimed the sword had once belonged to Hector of Troy.

Q 05/05

Which word for a heroic champion first named Charlemagne's twelve knights, led by Roland?

A) Cavalier

B) Paladin

C) Templar

D) Crusader

Answer · why

B) Paladin

Paladin goes back to the Latin palatinus, 'of the palace', a title for the officials closest to a ruler.