Roncesvalles, Battle of
Roncesvalles, Battle of
(August 15, 778) Basque attack on Charlemagne's army at a pass in the Pyrenees in northern Spain. It occurred when Charlemagne was returning to Aquitaine after a campaign against the Muslims in Spain, and his rear guard was ambushed and massacred by Basque soldiers. The battle is treated in the 11th-century Chanson de Roland, in which the attackers are Moors and the rear guard is led by Charlemagne's nephew Roland.
Variants of RONCESVALLES, BATTLE OF
Roncesvalles, Battle of or Battle of Roncevaux
This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on Roncesvalles, Battle of, visit Britannica.com.
Seen & Heard 
What made you look up Roncesvalles, Battle of? Please tell us what you were reading, watching or discussing that led you here.
