Battle of Roncevaux Pass, 778 AD ⚔️ The Legend of Roland

[@HistoryMarche]

🚩 Install Raid for Free ✅ IOS/ANDROID/PC: clcr.me/Sept_HistoryMarche and get a special starter pack 💥 Available only for the next 30 days 🚩 The Battle of Roncevaux Pass was the culmination of Charlemagne's campaign of 778 AD into the Iberian Peninsula, the only time he crossed the Pyrenees Mountains in person, in an attempt to create a buffer zone between the Frankish Kingdom and the Emirate of Cordoba.

[@drew5637]

Where can I find the maps you guys use for your videos? They are really good

[@حمزهيونس-د2ل]

🇲🇫👹

[@ciripa]

Great video guys!! Charlemagne is for me such a black whole for me, nice job lobbying for that period!! ALso one more thing...any perspective on a new video on Hannibal it s been a year since the battle of Cannae! :D

[@Gregg1990]

@@اسماعيلضياء-ظ1ب Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

[@eedragonr6293]

@@اسماعيلضياء-ظ1ب If they were baptized, having a Christian education and believing in the Bible 's words, the Holy Spirit was working in them. Meaning the existing God in this world was working through them.

[@far_centrist]

you can FEEL the shock, surprise and hopelessness of the situation, being struck from all directions in such a narrow path. amazing work, HM!

[@juanc.9814]

You can also feel the pleasure of the Basques taking revenge for the barbarities the French committed against their people. Neither the Romans nor the Muslims ever subdued the Basques, they reached agreements beneficial to both, because both Romans and Muslims were aware of the fierceness of the Basques. That is why today we still preserve our language, the only pre-Indo-European language, and our millenary culture. Respect for those who have survived millennia in their land, few peoples in the world have managed to do so.

[@samdumaquis2033]

The song of Rolland, calling on his horn to Charlemagne for hours as they fought to the bitter end is an important part of France's History, we were taught it in school. But I also respect the basque for keeping their history.

[@saniuca9691]

One way of preventing these ambushes was to employ reconnaissance if possible/safeguarded with natives, same strategy Caesar and Alexander used centuries ago. This is such a costly experience for Charlemagne

[@itzikashemtov6045]

@@juanc.9814 You survived in culture but not in direct control or autonomy over you're nation, It's still under latin-french rule for so long that nobody really knows about ur existence and will any foreigner will call you simply French.

[@juanc.9814]

@@itzikashemtov6045 We are not in the best of situations but we have survived since millennia in our land, with our culture, the only pre-Indo-European one surviving in Europe. I don't care if they know us or what they call me, I know who I am, what I am and where I come from. Everyone has the right to be proud of his origins, it is a way of respecting our close parents and our distant ancestors. Finally I live in the Spanish part of the Basque Country, we are now part of the EU and I would be very happy if Russia was also part of the EU, it would be the best for all of us, even if for "others" it is not so good. In this sense I am ashamed again and again of our politicians, I hope you understand this.

[@samdumaquis2033]

The song of Rolland, calling on his horn to Charlemagne for hours as they fought to the bitter end is an important part of France's History, we were taught it in school.

[@rangerstedfast]

Makes me think of Boromir and the Horn of Gondor

[@lostkriegsguardsman8615]

Im currently writing a college essay on Chanson de Roland due to its historical importance at large, greetings all the way from Chile.

[@samdumaquis2033]

@@rangerstedfast I think it might have inspired Tolkien

[@rangerstedfast]

@@samdumaquis2033 Very possible

[@blacklight4720]

They might as well teach you that Jesus could turn water into wine and Mohammed had flying horses. Oh wait, I think they actually teach you that crap as well.

[@aitors.9736]

Important fact missing: the Basque victory led to the political organisation of the Basque tribes and the establishment of a new Basque independent entity: the Kingdom of Navarre. The man that led the Basque ambush was elected king: Eneko Aritza

[@julen310897]

Eneko Aritza fue hecho rey mas tarde. Después de ganar la Segunda Batalla de Roncesvalles.

[@FlashPointHx]

If this video was good enough to inspire JRR Tolkien's death of Boromir - its good enough for me.

[@HistoryMarche]

Well said old chum, well said :)

[@joellaz9836]

@@anasevi9456 I doubt this cause they were under Muslim rule who weren’t anymore friendly to pagans than Charlemagne. Also lack of Muslim sources describing them as ‘Majus’ (pagan).

[@nebsam715]

Huh?What do mean inspire JRR Tolkien death of Boromir?

[@pettermct]

@@nebsam715 the death of Rolan, with his desesperate horn blow calling for help like in the Boromir death scene. You can see it in the intro scene of this video, but not in the battle scene it self.

[@nebsam715]

@@pettermct I see

[@SuperThumpasaurus]

Your narration is absolutely enthralling! You should be doing major documentary work.

[@ozziefroelich5035]

I feel like 12k views in a couple hours is honestly major documentary work, but yes I agree.

[@JayzsMr]

It's the script mainly which is great , the narrator does different videos and while he is great , the script is what makes it really special.

[@jameslourenco1570]

What major documentary work? Ancient aliens?

[@jameslourenco1570]

@@JayzsMr really? Why don’t you reread the script over this video playing and see if that holds true

[@JayzsMr]

@@jameslourenco1570 why ?I am not too dumb to distinguish these two things , unlike you

[@frederickiiprussia7699]

I just finished the video and it was a horrifyingly good one. I can imagine Charlemagne finally reaching the rear guard only to call off the rescue to save the rest of the army while the trapped men die one by one into the night. I also liked how this video, in a way, is a "bad ending" version of Hannibal's march through the Alps when the Gauls ambushed him, only he made it out with his army

[@brainflash1]

And Hannibal saved his rear guard.

[@fuggoff5277]

Kuoni von Stocken

[@richbob9155]

"horrifyingly good one" wtf?

[@frederickiiprussia7699]

@@richbob9155 yep

[@samdumaquis2033]

The song of Rolland, calling on his horn to Charlemagne for hours as they fought to the bitter end is an important part of France's History, we were taught it in school.

[@dyvimtarkan2944]

In French Culture, related to the Song of Roland, this story is more known for the betrayal of Ganelon (in a way the archetypal traitor) than historic reality. Recent researchs show that the army did not probably pass by the pass of Roncevaux but by an ancient road few kilometers eastwards away.

[@STARS_Redfield]

I remember learning about Roland in french school (i'm french). I was around 12 years old, in history class but also french class (with the song of Roland). And the way we learned about it was really different from what you did here. I never got any of those insane details you put in your video. Thank you for your hard and detail work. It's always a pleasure to learn and revisit some of the most important topic of history.

[@romainmodestie8844]

Ca devait être y’a longtemps, aujourd’hui les jeunes français sont éduqués dans la haine d’eux même

[@STARS_Redfield]

@@romainmodestie8844 2004/2005

[@holyarchangelmichael]

Narrow mountain passes, slow baggage trains, and an unhappy local population is a dangerous combination, as Charlemagne discovered. It's ironic that he angered the populace by tearing down Pamplona's fortress walls when he intended to pacify them with this action. Great video. I had never heard about this battle before and I learned a great deal.

[@jonoc3729]

He destroyed the walls so they couldnt rebel, because if they did he could just go and sack the city. Thats what pacify means.

[@RickJaeger]

What do you mean "that's what pacify means"? How do you know that is what pacify means?

[@deuratusanimatedhistory10]

Loved the video, fantastic quality. I remember learning in school, during a history lesson, about a knight who blew his horn as a warning, fought valiantly to the last moment, and died. I was impressed by his conduct as a kid. I think it was Roland.

[@HistoryMarche]

Yes sir, that's the guy.

[@حمزهيونس-د2ل]

🇲🇫👹

[@jellyvoping8561]

@@حمزهيونس-د2ل technically the tricolor is a inaccurate representation of the Frankish kingdom

[@commy1231]

It would be awesome to get more Charlemagne content, about the Saxon wars, or Avar campaign, or Italian campaign, or more about the Spanish March. Surprisingly there isn’t much in terms of detailed battle videos out there.

[@denniscleary7580]

A video from Kings and History Marche on same day?! Now it’s truly a glorious day

[@HistoryMarche]

Got the notification for Hansa. Heading over to watch right now :)

[@LureThosePixels]

@@HistoryMarche I just headed in the opposite direction

[@kennethnew3075]

What is this Kings that is mentioned. Curious Love the history on this channel.

[@LureThosePixels]

@@kennethnew3075 kings and generals channel

[@jairarruda681]

I like both channels

[@nicbahtin4774]

"in Spain, small armies are cut up and big armies starve"

[@HistoryMarche]

The Little Corporal knows it.

[@lueisred6901]

@@HistoryMarchehe learned the hard way

[@aleksandersokal5279]

Unless you are Romans, but I guess modern Spanish are a mix of Celtiberians and Romans.

[@rageraptor7127]

Your videos are what got me into history and learning about past cultures and military leaders. Animation and arts style is perfect. Thank you for your hard work.

[@moohaameed]

When the best channel of the entire KZbin releases a new masterpiece i’ll instantly watch it. I will never cheat on this channel.

[@dawarrior95]

I mean.. there’s a lot of good history channels out there, so I’m always cheating. HistoryMarche is my main squeeze tho.

[@mohammedbenaissa6753]

Your are the best in the business , i always like ur videos before i watch them , you make us live the battle not only watch it .. RESPECT 👏👏

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you so much 😀

[@HikmaHistory]

Charlemagne vs Emirate of Cordoba - what an unlikely yet awesome matchup!

[@papazataklaattiranimam]

It was a great coincidence that such a video came along while I was researching the history of basque 😅

[@incachannel]

Historia prehispánica?

[@sorrybro4890]

@علي ياسر they became Muslims enemies with time

[@jeselar5770]

@علي ياسر Not helped but submitted with pragmatism because the superior force of muslims... until they became enough strong to shake off the ties and fight as independient and free kingdom.

[@jeselar5770]

@علي ياسر Not in YOUR history but if you allow yourself to investigate and read more, you will learn how basque kingdom submitted to Cordoba, allied and got marries alliances with muslim Banu Qasi (the only well considered muslim noble family to Pamplona) because their disadvantage, but as soon as they could they get rid of muslims gobernors in Pamplona, settle in fo their own and began a more and more independient politics, specially becoming a realm with their own kings. Basques sufered alot of "Razzias" from Cordoba califate because of their constant disobedience and defies to the Califa mixed with forced peace treaties with him. So it was constant tension and not armony nor friendship among basques and cordobeses. And with time the Kingdom of Pamplona shown their cards, breaking with Cordoba, ally with christian Asturian realm, as basque was, and fighting their former "ally", oblied friend and neighbor but not never more.

[@jeselar5770]

@ايجون تارجاريين Yes, they did. And in time they fought castililans too. And aragoneses and french. As most kingdoms in the Middle Age, they foughts against all their neighbours, and the muslims were their first main neighbour. So Yes, of course basques fought muslims and took lot of their lands adding them to the basque realm of Pamplona (later Navarra)

[@ariyoiansky291]

Loving the attention you've been giving Charlemagne lately, I hope you have more videos planned about his time in the future. Also, I like your formula, you've got it down to a science at this point! Great work as always!

[@tonyhawk94]

The "song of Roland" is the oldest piece of French litterature that we know, probably written at the eve of the first crusade.

[@roan2288]

@@LuisAldamiz And that´s a problem?

[@Judge_Magister]

@@LuisAldamiz its a story in honor of a Frankish hero, ofc its all made larger then life thats the point. To inspire and unite future Franks.

[@Judge_Magister]

An anonymous translation of it called “Roelantslied” is also one of the most important sources of middle Dutch. You know Dutch is actually the direct descendant of the old Frankish language. A modern Dutchman especially one from the province of Limburg could have a reasonably good conversation with Charlemagne, while a modern French speaker would not have a clue.

[@tonyhawk94]

@@Judge_Magister Yes I know that buddy, but actually I think the closest to old Frankish is Luxemburguish (but the song of Roland wasn't initially written in Frankish as far as we know)

[@Judge_Magister]

@@tonyhawk94 you think but it is not true. Luxembourgish leans more towards high German dialects, while Frankish was a low German dialect and so is Dutch and Limburgisch. The Dutch province of Limburg is literally 5 km away from Aachen/Aken the Frankish capital and throne of Charlemagne.

[@brokenbridge6316]

This must've been a very painful loss for Charlemagne. History usually tells us about his victories and not much about any of his losses. So this video was a good one. Nice job.

[@joellaz9836]

It does seem like it was a very painful loss and Charlemagne never forgot about it even in old age according to the sources. *The sources make clear that aulici (like Roland, Eggihard and Anselm) were appointed by Charles personally; their service to the king was especially important, and their deaths in battle signified correspondingly painful losses for the king. The relationship between the king and each aulicus, like other vertical dyadic bonds - between lord and man, between nurturer and nourished - were peculiarly emotionally charged. It was a matter of trust. The ArF reviser wrote - in words that deserve to be repeated: ‘The pain of the wound the king received overclouded (obnubilavit) in his heart a large part of what had gone successfully in Spain.’ The late Tim Reuter persuasively dated the reviser’s work to very near the end of Charles’s reign. If this is right, and the reviser was writing at court on the basis of conversations with (among others) Charles himself, it is a plausible suggestion that the memory of Roncesvaux’s psychological trauma and loss was present to Charles in old age - perhaps more present than it had ever been since 778.*

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@joellaz9836---How interesting.

[@Michael_______]

@@joellaz9836 he smashes all opposition ⚔♥️⚔

[@careyrowland]

Thank you for the historical lesson. We are inspired by the courage and persistence of Roland, who sounded forth the call to vigilance and courage to persist in the struggle to do what is right in the midst of disaster and despair! Never despair! But blow forth the sound of bold resistance against defeat!

[@resileaf9501]

You know, for someone as important to Middle Age culture as Roland, I didn't expect that his legend was as simple as being ambushed and dying. That was one of the most brutal battles you've covered on this channel, I'd say. Good work!

[@brainflash1]

He followed the most important rule of knighthood: Die well.

[@joellaz9836]

One writer said that since Charlemagne was so loved in the Middle Ages that even his one defeat was turned into a victory through the legend of Roland.

[@comradekenobi6908]

@@joellaz9836 hmm isn’t that just propaganda and manipulation tho?

[@roan2288]

@@comradekenobi6908 The song of Roland was written centuries after charlemange´s death, how can it be propaganda?

[@joellaz9836]

@@roan2288 It was more propaganda for the first crusade (the basque were turned into Muslims).

[@hajsmanv1]

I know the story of Roland, but so far, unfortunately, I have missed the events that preceded it. The song about Roland describes the Basques as hypocritical robbers, but they only seem to take revenge for the Franks' plundered land. Roland was certainly a great knight, but I personally support the Basques in this clash.

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

being in the Commonwealth we get the Brit historical perspective in school, form my grandpa all the way to me. We'd rarely get the complete story. I'd be pretty choked if the "other guy" decided that wrecking villages and farmland and for good last measure, my Capital, was his "Right". Particularly since it seemed unprovoked. The Swiss did the same thing 500 years later on a lakeside road to a bunch of Knights. That didn't end well, either.

[@morillosky]

Robbers robbing to another robbers. Robin Hood.

[@Mrkabrat]

The visigoths and frank learned very early on that the basques didn't take kindly to either of them, which lead to numerous raids in both ways (in and out of the basque lands)

[@mattcvlh]

Ancient/medieval morals were simply belligerent, very hard to think someone was right or wrong with our todays culture. If you had the bigger army, then it'd be all about going around killing, pillaging, making tributary/levy vassals and getting richier until someone with either a bigger army or enough wits would depose you.

[@davidrox4591]

Can anyone say Islam? The intellectual cowardice on display is truly staggering.

[@Masv1pe]

I don’t even know the words of which to describe this channel with! Absolutely incredible.

[@RookhKshatriya]

You have a great voice for describing heroic deeds.

[@Creativethinker12]

The nickname ‘butcher of the Saxons’ isn’t from Charlemagne’s time at all (in fact up until the enlightenment his actions against the Saxons were praised as a sign of his piety, not condemned). The nickname actually derives from 20th century nazis like Himmler who were pagan sympathisers. Although oddly enough Hitler disagreed with Himmler and thought Charlemagne did nothing wrong, saying ‘Killing all those saxons was not a historical crime, as Himmler thinks. Charlemagne did a good thing subjugating widukind and killing the saxons out of hand. He thereby made possible the empire of the franks and the entry of Western Culture into what is now Germany.’

[@dontworry9540]

Not true, his own advisor Alcuin of York who later became an abbot, urged him to show leniency and favored conversion by peaceful means and persuasion instead of war. So there you have contemporary criticism, as well as no sources for what you claim to have been the origin of his nickname.

[@loslobos786]

Lol Actually No, that's actually propaganda used by enlightenment thinkers to discredit Christianity amongst the common man, to turn it from a religion of peace in their eyes to a war mongering philosophy and thus increase their power and wealth in society. Infact Charlemagnes actions were highly criticized by many of his own people, it led to the Danes building a highly fortified earthen wall the entire length of southern Denmark which they maned all year long with troops for almost a century. And many historians have postulated that the age of the Vikings which started shortly after this was extra nasty to Christians precisely because of Charlemagnes actions in these campaigns as many of the first Viking raiders were the sons, daughters and grandchildren of the men and women that Charlemagne slaughtered in the name of Christianity and thus they wanted revenge. This sad fact is made even more ironic and sad because Charlemagne didn't kill all those Saxons for Christianity, he killed them to increase his power and wealth he only used Christianity as a shield to hide this fact from the common man just as our own politicians and leaders use things today like vaccine mandates and the war on terror to increase their power and wealth. It's funny and a little sad how everything changes and yet still stays the same.

[@Creativethinker12]

@@loslobos786 The earthen wall in Denmark had been built even before Charlemagne began his conquest since Danes and Saxons weren’t really the best of friends. *According to written sources, work on the Danevirke was started by the Danish King Gudfred in 808. Fearing an invasion by the Franks. The Danes however, were also in conflict with the Saxons south of Hedeby during the Nordic Iron Age and recent archaeological excavations have revealed that the Danevirke was initiated much earlier than King Gudfred's reign, around 500 AD and probably well before that even.* And majority of historians certainly don’t think viking raids happened because Danes cared about Saxon pagans. Charlemagne’s close friend Alcuin of York did criticise him for his actions (seeing forced conversions as wrong) and Charlemagne must have listened since he removed the death penalty for many of the infractions, but Alcuin nowhere near thought Charlemagne was a butcher. But besides that, people never much cared about what Charlemagne did to the Saxons (the Saxons themselves just a century after his death would be among the ones to praise him like Widukind of Corvey who wrote deed of the Saxons). Criticism of Charlemagne’s actions didn’t appear again until the enlightenment and the beginning of German nationalism. *In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, historians generally approved of the executions of Verden, as displays of Charlemagne’s piety. During the Enlightenment this changed. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was one of the first to suggest that Verden cast a shadow over Charlemagne's legacy. Voltaire considered the king a "thousandfold murderer", with Verden the centrepiece of his barbarism. According to Barbero, the executions of verden would be little more than a footnote in scholarship were it not for controversy in German circles due to nationalistic sentiment before and during the Nazi era in Germany.The controversy over the massacre was linked to disputes among German nationalists about the image of Charlemagne.*

[@loslobos786]

@@Creativethinker12 yes the Earthen wall was being built before Charlemagne however much like the Great wall of China it was a series of fortification built by various rulers and never intended as a border wall to keep people out. It was only after Charlemagnes massacre of the Saxons that the current ruler of Denmark linked the various fortification together to form one wall, just like the first Emperor of China linked the various Chinese fortification to build one massive wall to keep out the Mongols. You should also ask yourself why would the Danes do this??? They weren't massacred right? They hated the Saxons too right?.... WRONG the Danes were allies at this time of the Saxons and thousands of there soldiers died fighting Charlemagne. Lastly as a Christian and a Soldier who has taken life myself I find it hellarious that any rational human being can see the the murder of prisoners of war as a display of Piety SMH that is a prime example of a leader using the tools of the state to justify his atrocities and quest for more power.

[@Creativethinker12]

@@loslobos786 The Danes never really helped the Saxons (except to shelter Widukind). Besides that, the Danes didn’t do anything else. No sources from that time mention Charlemagne having to fight Danes in his battles against the Saxons so thousands of Danes certainly did not die fighting Charlemagne. There was an alliance between the Slavic pagans known as the Abodrites and Charlemagne oddly enough. The Abodrites would often help Charlemagne put down Saxon rebellions by attacking the saxons from the north and in return Charlemagne let the pagan Slavs settle in saxony. *AD 798 there was a short-lived revolt by some of the northernmost Saxons, almost certainly resisting deportation. In response Charlemagne took advantage of his alliance with the pagan Prince Drożko of the Abodrites. Together their forces crushed the rebels at the first battle of Bornhöved. Towards the end of the war, mass deportations of the northernmost Saxon populations and the handing of their ancestral homeland over to an allied, though still pagan, Slav tribe finally broke Saxon resistance.*

[@KHK001]

Was hoping you'll cover one of his battles! Amazing as always HM

[@HistoryMarche]

More to come eventually! Great to see you here as always KHK

[@incachannel]

History March saludos desde Lima - Perú

[@CarlosLopez58]

It seems Spain have to thank the Basques for not having today the frontier with France in the Ebro river..

[@Noobfantasy]

I remember joining this channel when it had less than couple thousand followers. Now it is one of the best history channels on youtube.

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you for sticking with me on this long journey!

[@viking8796]

I guess Charlemagne was lucky that the Basque force wasn't bigger, or it might have turned into a Teutoburg Forest situation.

[@ipoopexelence]

@علي ياسر huh?

[@obiwankenobi2083]

@علي ياسر basque are not spanish and for sure never have been muslims

[@bromomento3950]

@@obiwankenobi2083 us basques are very much Spanish, just not Castilian.

[@obiwankenobi2083]

@@bromomento3950 well is a complex topic. I will not contradict you, but a good portion of your goverment and people like the catalunian want to be indipendent and exit spanish goverment and ETA fight for this as well. You can say now you want to exit castillan rule, so it is a little confusing for me..

[@bromomento3950]

@@obiwankenobi2083 of course, and it's because they've been brainwashed by the same who want and have always wanted to see all spanish peoples weak and destitute. The problem doesn't originate with Spain itself, but rather the spanish state. if you look up the carlist wars in the 19th century those were wars to retain the autonomy us basques had always had, and had recently been stripped by the new government.

[@DestinyKwT]

Every time i see an army crossing through a narrow path i start hearing a roman soldier voice in my heads shouting (THE GAULS ARE HIDING BEHIND THE TREES)

[@miguelarricaberriarostegui9157]

Thank You for making a video of this Battle. Thank You from the Basque pirenees.

[@malcolmmeer9761]

If you walk the Camino deSantiago fron St Jean towards Pamplona you will walk the same trail. It truly is rugged and beautiful

[@geordieny]

Of all your videos I've seen thus far, this was by far my favourite. So atmospheric.

[@Lunadyne]

I remember reading La Chanson de Roland during my free time during my studies in France. There’s quite a bit of good literature from the period - Le Roman de Renart, Tristan et Iseult, Le Roman de la Rose, and many, many stories surrounding le roi Arthur. After watching this video I think I’ll dig out my copy of Chanson de Roland and give it another go. Oh, great, it’s in old French; this may take a while... Here’s a sample: Charles li Reis, nostre emper[er]e magnes, Set ans tuz pleins ad estet en Espaigne: Tresqu’en la mer cunquist la tere altaigne. N’i ad castel ki devant lui remaigne; Mur ne citet n’i est remes a fraindre, Fors Sarraguce, ki est en une muntaigne. Li reis Marsilie la tient, ki Deu nen aimet. Mahumet sert e Apollin recleimet: Nes poet guarder que mals ne l’i ateignet. Yes, I have strange hobbies.

[@asao5662]

Just a correction. Im a Basque , born not far from the place and i wanted to say, those forests, and for that measure most of the forests of Navarra, are not Pines at all. They are Beech, Oak and Fir. You cant find a Pine there, as there are none. The forest is called Selva de irati and is the second largest and the best preserved beech-fir forest in Europe. Imagine some fairytale forest, completely blood red in november with dense fog and deep green in summer. To me is the most beautifull place in the world and i just wanted to do it justice. Look some images and you will be astonished at how wild, and beatifull it is. BTW, Roncesvalles here is perceived as a great and rightfull revenge, done by less armed, poor, common people, but brave and smart and is marked more or less the as the birht of the Kingdom of Pamplona. Carlomagno and Roldan are perceived as cowards and thiefs, and the son of Carlomagno too when he came back and kidnapped women and children to use them as shields to cross the same path in 812. Everybody takes great pride on that victory an its been always a central point of our history. :)

[@Fabianballart]

Justo cuándo creí que este día no podía ser mejor ❤️

[@philRminiatures]

Great video, a fascinating subject and some gorgeous animations as always...Congrats from France! 👍👍

[@lassemadsen3803]

It was so exciting that i littery sat on the edge of my chair. You have a great way of telling history

[@mauriciomarques2756]

What a vibrating narration ! Amazig

[@oberstul1941]

I knew the story of Roland from books I read as a child, famous heroes and historical stories retold etc, but I was today years old when I learned that he wasn't ambushed and killed in battle by Saracens, Muslims or Moors, but by Basques (who were most likely Christians). Take that right in the childhood. Anyway, excellent video, I love this kind of visual history telling and I would watch more. Cheers, mates!

[@alomaralsulaiman6501]

Not gonna lie, the song of roland is one of the best medieval thing ever heard.

[@imarlab]

AFAIK, the battle had such a huge impact that it even changed the name of the village & valley where it took place. It is called now Valcarlos in Spanish, derived from Valle de Carlos (Charle's valley). Name in Basque is Luzaide. BTW, Charlemagne learned the hard way something Napoleon should have known: do not mess with the Spaniards, specially if there is a mountain range anywhere close (hint: all over Spain, Europe's second most mountainous country second only to Switzerland) as they will massacre your glorious army and slaughter you. I strongly recommend a visit to Valcarlos, Roncesvalles (Spanish name for Roncevaux) and Pamplona, following El Camino de Santiago.

[@ariyoiansky291]

Charlemagne's forces came back though, and put the Spanish March to heel.

[@imarlab]

@@ariyoiansky291 Had I been there, after successfully achieving my targets (killing most enemies and getting back the plunder) I would have left as soon as the rest of the French army had appeared. As easy as that. No point in fighting a well trained, clearly superior army on their terms. They knew they had exploited their strategic advantage, it would have been suicidal to continue to fight. Just disappear. BTW, most local historians agree that both Muslims and elite Asturian troops also took part in the event. It would seem logical from many perspectives.

[@Kronosaur0s]

@@ariyoiansky291 where is the spanish march now?

[@imarlab]

@@Kronosaur0s It became the basis for the Kingdom of Aragon, including the Catalan Counties, Andorra and Navarre through Pamplona. They were not unified from an administrative perspective.

[@imarlab]

@WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE The whole point was attacking the army at the gorge. That's why you do it....and of course, it has been done in Spain a ton of times, as it has been done in the Alps a ton of times. Just a matter of common sense. BTW, I did not call them "Spanish" but "Spaniards". Just FYI.

[@Brandazzo22]

Damn those mountain Gauls! They've been rolling boulders on people since the Second Punic war lol

[@slappy8941]

Basques weren't Gauls.

[@smal750]

Basques arent gauls they are iberians before roman conquest

[@KilllerWhale]

Charlemagne "there is no way the Basques replicate Teutoberg on me" Basques "Observe"

[@laylobinson5839]

Always makes my day seeing a HistoryMarche upload!

[@timlaird3555]

I don't know about everyone else but I appreciate every video especially long series like hannibals!

[@ArchonShon]

Amazing work! Your top down maps and narration are some of the best created.

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you very much!

[@Aitidina]

I'd never watched any of your videos. Just as I opened this one and read some of the messages, I was ready to spit some facts. But I decided to wait and watch first. And the video was spot on, fantastic. One of the few ocassions the Basques managed to inflict such a punishment against foreign forces. What can I say? Pay a visit to Orreaga (the Basque name for Roncevaux), it's a beautiful place.

[@OrthoJihadi]

This video had me riveted. Absolutely fantastic

[@mattberry8046]

You do a compelling job relaying history. Thank you.

[@inuuteqstotts9639]

HistoryMARCHE well done! THE INTRO was great!

[@Ealdorman_of_Mercia]

a formidable video! Excellent narration and pace! 10/10

[@karl-arnal]

Even the mighty romans knew it was better to have the Basques as allies and not as enemies, Doesn't matter how big you are, if you destroy our capital we will get you sooner or later

[@Eshanas]

And yet the Romans held their territory from Augustus on until the dissolution of Spain as a province 400 years later, so….

[@karl-arnal]

@@Eshanas I don't get what do you mean, the Roman Empire fought and subdued or exterminated the Celtiberian peoples but there were Basques (Vascones) fighting with the Romans all over the empire, they were romanized to an extent but the language survived and later they became the kingdom of Navarre

[@nocomment5705]

You have much better quality than Kings&Generals channel. The narration, historical facts, the illustration, everything is much better.

[@KevinMorata]

Epic and amazing narration, great thanks from France !

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you sir.

[@thecrusaderhistorian9820]

Thank you for a wonderful, awesome video!

[@HistoryMarche]

Glad you enjoyed it! Always great to see you in the comment section.

[@thecrusaderhistorian9820]

@@HistoryMarche No problem! :)

[@trentondamm194]

i Love the graphics on this video. I mean, like just WOW!!!!

[@rafaelgiancoliramos350]

Thank you for the quality content

[@stephanelegrand8181]

Old story very well Told !

[@brainflash1]

One thing I like about HistoryMarche: Unlike Kings and Generals, your nametags are *always* legible.

[@angusyang5917]

Yeah, your resolution needs to be HD to read the names of the various countries and people who pop up on screen.

[@brainflash1]

@@angusyang5917 Not to mention he cuts off the bottom of their portraits. And in the battle maps you can't even see those!

[@dontworry9540]

K&G are a cash grab, they cover a lot of subjects with the most superfluous information(mostly from Wikipedia) and pop out a high quantity of videos for revenue with no passion behind the projects.

[@AdamNoizer]

@@dontworry9540 For some reason they just suddenly stopped one of their most popular series last year (Ottoman wars). Hope they continue them, along with Napoleon.

[@saguntum-iberian-greekkons7014]

No, hes right, HistoryMarche has a better one

[@ikediz]

I'm already subscribed but thought you should know Flashpoint History sent me. Great video. Thanks for feeding my history addiction.

[@maximusdecimusmeridious3784]

The animation used by you and the other channels is amazing

[@Oblivious_uncertainties]

Absolutely epic mate. Incredible job done. Love your voice.

[@dagveahlland8598]

You are very good on this.

[@shrubby-ov4yw]

"Silence falls where once we stood, Darkness 'mongst the blackened wood. Where once a Frank would stand and fight, There Basque and spear sent us to flight. One by one, we fell in death. One by one, we fell together. One by one we fell in ranks. And our lord Roland last to fall."

[@bigsarge2085]

Well done! Informative and fascinating.

[@AlphaZombies]

Definitely my favorite narrator on KZbin!

[@thepirateorc3235]

It's a great day whenever Historymarche uploads

[@lilakatze]

I can't choose the right words to say thank you for this most wonderful overview of the battle and the whole campaign. The song of Roland is part of middle school syllabus (as well as the actual battle), but as a child, you never seem to grasp what's it all about, partly because at school it's always deprived of any context. For a twelve-year-old it's like, okay, it's something ancient and maybe important, let's forget it as soon as possible. So for me, it's like finally getting to know someone you knew by name only. I know I could google it a thousand years ago, I just never knew I actually wanted to! THANK YOU :) P.S. Really looking forward to a video about El Cid, if you could care to make one.

[@ThorDog16]

Man those Basque raiders we eating good for a while after that

[@thedude1671]

Your narration is great, and the "subscribe as a sacrifice to the algorithm" made me laugh so hard that I had no choice but to obey.

[@nurba_nurba]

This is next level of quality! Subscribed!

[@nurba_nurba]

I'm gonna watch all your video now

[@ericgrace9995]

Good work. Informative and enjoyable.

[@ThevoyagesofMJ]

my man, another great video. keep up the good work

[@HistoryMarche]

Thanks for the visit

[@ayeejiff9847]

Amazing piece of history. i like your style ! The Map looks great by the way

[@JonEtxebeberriaRodriguez]

Great video!!! But I cannot help to feel a bit awkward about the last map. The Spanish March was limited to the Pyrenees and it's surroundings. South of Pamplona, Huesca and Barcelona was still muslim territory well into the XI-XIIth centuries. The kingdom of Aragon was only able to capture Zaragoza and the Ebro Valley from the Almoravids in the first decades of the XIIth century. So I find a bit misleading to represent the Spanish March as something bigger than it really was, a precarious foothold at the other side of the Pyrenees. Just wanted to point that out. Excellent video regardless

[@jeselar5770]

Agree. One can think about that marked area as a kind of french influence area, but not domain. Just the mountains and adjacent valleys, as you say. Actually, few years later of the battle, french kingdom got a basque governor in Pamplona influenced and allied to the carolingians, but not much more. Some years later, in the first quarter of IX century, Pamplona becames in Kingdom of Pamplona, a basque Kingdom, independent from France, allied with Banu Qasi (most powerful muslim family in the North of Spain) and giving respect to Cordoba Emirate. Inmersed in a way that will lead Pamplona, at the end of the century, to be a total independient realm, looking the cristian kingdom of Asturias as his main ally and centered in the expansion and the Reconquest against muslims.

[@rubenlopezusa]

But Muslims didn't actually had a strong foothold in those territories either since they have stretched their forces across the Peninsula leaving garrisons in all major Southern cities. So, the real border was really unclear. Considering their populations were mainly Christian and not accepting Muslim rule, we could safely say the Muslims didn't hold the land, neither were able to administer and rule.

[@Skymaster.47]

@@rubenlopezusa Its not as simple as you put it here. By this point in time, the Muslim rule was soldified in certain regions in the north of Spain by Muwalid converts such as the Basque Banu Qasi who had good relations with the Navarrese and Ummayads.

[@rubenlopezusa]

@@Skymaster.47 define what you mean by "solidified", because neither language, nor writing, religion, art, constructions, customs, or anything Muslim prevailed. They only had military control for a certain period, which vanished fast. Even in Zaragoza, where they stayed longer, people were majority Christians and spoke and old version of Aragonese. They had to keep alliances with Christians paying them tribute for avoiding invasion. By "solidified", the perfect example is "Roman rule", called "Romanization", the one that was before, prevailed then, and has prevailed for 2,000 years: language, religion, laws, buildings, cities, etc. That was SOLID.

[@ahmadnaser8172]

@@rubenlopezusa the art and constructions prevailed.. there are many mosques converted to church in spain and there were many Muslims and Jews in Spain until the Spanish inquisition either leave or die it was for the muslims.. and there are many arabic words in spanish

[@Nicholas-p6m]

Good job on the documentary!

[@aaronwalker4017]

Awesome work historymarche 👍

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ys8686]

HistoryMarch is back bois

[@yahyakandemir2175]

Never thought i would see the day this gets uploaded

[@86godhand]

What a great job. Thank you

[@PapaTanduo]

Great review, love this channel 💥

[@RobertsonBrendyn]

Brilliant work.

[@doomerboomer9402]

i am of basque heritage. i feel proud

[@Jürgen_von_Schumacher]

As a Saxon, a true Saxon from Hamburg, I always feel a surge of pride when I hear stories of how we resisted the Franks and rebelled against them. It took them 32 years to conquer us but Charlemagne the Fat would never live to see us truly subjugated. But today, we've swapped everything out ancestors stood for and believed in for something less or worse. That's the price of unification

[@KillerofGods]

That's the price of communism, even communism light. Destroy what was before and replace it with party ideology

[@davidyoung2111]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! There is very little info about Charlemagne & I'm trying to learn all I can.

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you for watching.

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent video 📹 A national song 🎵 was born.

[@ConstantineJoseph]

Roland was the prototype knight that would spur the medieval works, the song of Roland or Chanson de Roland, a chivalric medieval story. His last stand was considered the epitome of chivalry, a final last stand, dying for his faith. Representing the elan of Charlemagne's fighting forces, the palatina, or in modern terms paladins, they were the successors to the late Roman unit called the Scola or Scolae Palatinae. The household guards of the late Roman Emperor. They were the elite of the elites, replacing the overly political Praetorian Guard and were mainly heavy cavalry units. Thus from the late Roman tradition, these Scolae were even the backbone of the Franks who adopted much of the Gallo Roman civilization as they assimilate with them. One can say the gentile ideals of western civilization can be attributed to this one moment of Roland's life. His generosity, self sacrifice and his brotherly love with his soldiers and for his leader, is an example and a virtue that will last through the ages.

[@andreasleonardo6793]

Too nice historic video from excellent historic channel thanks for sharing

[@CaesarSonOfMars]

Charlemagne: Is invading Spain Me: Having Sertorian War flashbacks

[@JawsOfHistory]

Plot twist: Charlemagne took his internal rivals as far away as possible from their political base and then paid the Zaragozans to take them out. Rewriting the whole thing as a heroic last stand.

[@erniegutierrez2288]

Clever........ but he also lost the loot!

[@custink22]

@@erniegutierrez2288 makes it more believable that it was enemy action, and not pre-planned. And a good way to pay the enemy off. "Oh no, they got the baggage train too... Such a total loss... So anyway, about those Saxons"

[@Fingolfin013]

I just listen to Rolandskvadet recently , and this video pops out.

[@saguntum-iberian-greekkons7014]

Even today toring down walls is a long and hard effort, i thought charlie was in a hurry. He really wanted to piss of the Basques

[@mantassimolksda4018]

long waited thank u

[@dontbemad8894]

Loved it thank you for making it

[@truefish281]

me waiting for historymarche episode while on restroom break...be another 30 minutes boss