Battle of Roncevaux Pass
Roncevaux Pass, Pyrenees, near Roncesvalles, Navarre, Spain
What happened
Basques (Vascones) fought the rearguard of Charlemagne's Frankish army, led by Roland. Charlemagne had led an army into Spain but failed to take Zaragoza. On the way home he had the walls of the Basque city of Pamplona torn down. In revenge, Basques ambushed the back of his army in a high mountain pass, cut it off, and Roland and the rearguard fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was Charlemagne's only major defeat, and he never again led an army into Spain himself. The battle became the subject of 'The Song of Roland', the oldest surviving major work of French literature.
What came next
Charlemagne later set up a border zone in north-east Spain and took Barcelona about ten years afterwards. In the legend, the Basques were replaced by a Saracen army, and Roland became a model of the brave, loyal knight.
Did you know?
Roncesvalles is a starting point for thousands of pilgrims walking the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela each year.
Timeline
- 778Charlemagne fails to take Zaragoza.
- 15 August 778Basques ambush the rearguard at Roncevaux.
- About ten years laterFrankish forces take Barcelona.
- 11th century'The Song of Roland' is written.