ABSTRACT
The war of which Rollan a Saragossa is an episode is more reminiscent of the ‘Reconquista’ than Charlemagne’s historic expedition, which only lasted for some four months. In effect one of the protagonists wants to take revenge on Roland, who wounded him seven years earlier. Under these circumstances the adversaries would struggle to maintain a permanent state of belligerence, and at times they get involved in some strange relationships. When attacking, Saracens like to take full advantage of the circumstances, in other words their numbers. Hence the anonymous Saracen at the gate of Saragossa manages to seize Malmatin’s reins, profiting from the melee, and thus force Roland to unsheath Durandal. The Saracen woman of Rollan a Saragossa is distinguished by a self-confidence that has no truck with dishonesty, and whereas Bancourt observes that Saracen women never blush. Bancourt comments that the Saracen woman represents the image of woman in revolt.
