Roland

(ro'land.) [It. Orlando. A famous hero, whose exploits are recorded in many of the romances of chivalry, such as the Orlando Furioso of Ariosto, the Roland Amoureux of Ricardo, and the Chanson of Roland. He was one of the paladins, and supposed nephew, of Charlemagne, which monarch he accompanied on his expedition into Spain. Returning thence, he fell in the battle of Roncesvalles in 778. [s. 775]