ABSTRACT
The cycle of legends associated with the names of Charlemagne (742–814), Roland, and Oliver, are rich in events showing contact between Western Europe and Islam. Charlemagne fought the Moslems in Spain without, however, making any impression on the territorial integrity of the Western Caliphate. The Chanson de Roland (Rabillon's translation) contains the following:— “Carle, our most noble Emperor and King, Hath tarried now full seven years in Spain, There rules the King Marsile, who loves not God, Apollo worships, and Mahomed serves.”
