La Chanson de Roland

La Chanson de Roland, authored in this edition by Jean Maurice and published by Presses universitaires de France in 1992, serves as a scholarly engagement with the foundational epic of French literature. Originally composed in Old French during the 11th century, the poem details the heroic, tragic final stand of Charlemagne’s knight Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. This specific 1992 volume belongs to the 'Que sais-je?' collection, a series renowned for providing concise, authoritative introductions to complex literary and historical subjects for students and general readers alike.

Jean Maurice, a distinguished scholar of medieval studies, designed this edition to bridge the gap between archaic linguistic structures and modern accessibility. His editorial approach focuses on the political context of the crusades and the feudal ethos that defined the medieval period, offering readers a clear thematic analysis of the text's ideological underpinnings. By condensing centuries of academic inquiry into this accessible format, the book was well-received as an essential resource for those seeking a foundational understanding of the chanson de geste tradition without the barrier of dense academic apparatus.