Roland

In European legend, Roland was a paladin of Charlemagne. Depending on the account, he was sometimes said to be the incestuous son of Charlemagne and his sister, Bertha. Roland was knighted at the age of fifteen when he stole his Father's armor during the night, rode through the Ardennes forest, and defeated a powerful knight, retrieving a prized jewel from the knight's shield. Roland was well-lauded for his bravery in this endeavor.

Eventually he slew the giant Ferragus, as well as Ferragus' nephew Otuel, who tried to avenge him. After this deed, Roland formally entered the service of Charlemagne. Roland gained the sword Durindana after defeating a Saracen.

At a great tournament organized by Charlemagne, Roland fought Ferrau for the beautiful maiden Angelica. Angelica disappeared, and Roland went on a quest to find her, but his memory was a erased by a drink given to him by nother maiden, and he was duly imprisoned. Meanwhile, Angelica had escaped from the siege of Albracca and participated in driving off the Tartars, slaying their leader, Agrican. Angelica freed Roland and persuaded him to destroy the enchanted garden of Falerina, rather than fight with her true love, Rinaldo.

While on his way, Roland came across a maiden tied to a tree and stopped to free her. The maiden stole his horse and his sword, but he nevertheless managed to kill the dragon guarding the garden's entrance. After tying Falerina to a tree, he took her magic sword and slew an array of monsters throughout the garden. Falerina told him that a great enchantress named Morgana was holding prisoners in her castle. Roland fought with a strongman guarding the castle named Arridano, eventually defeating him. Finding Morgana asleep inside, he let her escape after being deceived with an illusion, but eventually caught her and freed the prisoners, among whom were Rinaldo and Florismart.