Kaitlyn Webb
Professor Evans
The Medieval World
October 6th, 2020
The Song of Roland: The Lord-Vassal Relationship
Throughout The Song of Roland, there are frequent references to the vassal and lord relationship when referring to the characters of Roland and Charlemagne who are viewed, respectively, as the perfect vassal and lord. Roland and Charlemagne’s relationship was seen as the highest standard that a lord-vassal relationship could be so it is no surprise that eventually many others tried to follow the example they set to attain this perfect relationship. For instance, Dhouda, a Frankish noblewoman, created the Liber Manualis for her 15-year-old son that instructed him on how to be the perfect vassal for his father and king by taking on many admirable characteristics and traits. It just so happens that these features that make up a good vassal can also be attributed to the traits Roland possessed when he was a vassal for Charlemagne. These various characteristics and traits of Roland as well as the duties of his lord Charlemagne, who also carried his own different set of responsibilities, are further outlined in the novel The Song of Roland.
During the novel, the motif of offering one’s right hand to a lord or superior seems to be an important aspect in the vassal-lord relationship. It seems that often the vassal is offering their hand as a symbol of their loyalty and obedience to their lord but this offering of one’s right hand could also be a way to show how a vassal is willing to take on certain responsibilities or afflictions for their lord. This willingness to take on the burdens and tasks of their lord and pledge everlasting obedience is one of the most important parts of being a vassal and it also serves the purpose of a way to repay their lords for all the services they’ve done for them. In Roland’s case, he believes he must engage in battle against the Saracens since “’it is [his] duty to be here for [his] king: For his lord a vassal must suffer hardships.’” (The Song of Roland 79.1009 – 79.1010).He mentions how Charlemagne has raised and provided for him his entire life so in order to repay Charlemagne’s good will, Roland fights an impossible battle and ends up losing his life as it is his duty to fulfill the king’s every command and show unconditional devotion to him. Other traits Roland displays are his courageousness, compassion, and honorability as he serves his lord faithfully “without ill will, without reluctance, and without sluggishness” which are things a vassal must avoid at all costs (Liber Manualis 4.2). However, though Roland showed many traits of a good vassal, he still made a few bad decisions that, as Oliver proclaims, were poorly thought through “’for a true vassal’s act, in its wisdom, avoids folly; Caution is better than great zeal’” (The Song of Roland 131.1724-131.1725). Roland refused to blow the horn to request Charlemagne’s help as he believed he would ruin his good name as well as the names of his kinsmen who he feared he would bring shame upon but this lapse in judgement resulted in a tragic end for both himself and his Frankish army. Even though Roland’s judgement was not sound at the time, people still looked up to Roland and only viewed his mistakes as a lesson to be taught to future generations to show them how to be good vassals and avoid folly. In fact, it seems that later generations were clearly able to reflect and learn from Roland’s mistake as about 60 years later, Dhouda instructs her son to “in every matter of importance to royal power take care to show yourself a man of good judgement” (Liber Manualis 4.4). Dhouda’s statement could have been a possible reference to Roland’s bad decision and a word of advice to her son to show him how a clear and intelligent mind can prevent one’s downfall and simultaneously gain approval and favor with one’s lord. There are many standards that one must live up to if they wish to become the perfect vassal but not all the work falls on the shoulders of the vassal as the lord also serves their own unique purpose.
The lords also have their own respective duties to fulfill in return for their vassal’s services. Their duties typically revolve around protecting their vassals and serving them in situations where justice must be dealt whether it be on the battlefield or in court. During the beginning of the novel, Roland reminds Charlemagne of his duties when he is torn on what to do when Marsile offers him peace. Roland proclaims “‘you sent two of your counts to the pagans, one was Basan, the other Basile. He took their heads on the hills beneath Haltile. Wage war, as you set out to do […] And avenge those whom the traitor put to death’” to remind Charlemagne of his end of the bargain in his lord-vassal relationship that he must now fulfill (The Song of Roland 14.207-14.210, 14.213). Even though Charlemagne at first chooses not to seek justice for his two vassals but to rather seek peace for his country, he does fulfill his role in the end when he avenges Roland’s death and successfully renders justice for his vassal. Protection and providing fair judgement are the main duties of a lord but the lord also serves another role as they are also the loyal servants of God. Their job is to serve as God’s vassal so their every command is inevitably God’s command. It was believed that a king’s “honor and authority [were] given by God” so kings were seen as divine since they were specially chosen by God, who is the ultimate lord that every vassal must serve first before their own king, to reside over his earthly realm (Liber Manualis 4.2). The king, therefore, has the right to rule by divine right but in return they must serve God and his every whim even if they do not want to. For instance, Charlemagne won against the Saracens but suffered grievous losses along the way and had no desire to go to war again. Unfortunately, “saint Gabriel came to him in God’s name” to command him to “invade the land of Bire” and he was forced to fulfill God’s wish because he, like his own servants, is a vassal for god (The Song of Roland 298.3993, 298.3995). Both lords and vassals have their own respective duties to fulfill and each role they play is important in making the relationship between the two groups work.
The lord-vassal relationship is a mutually beneficial bond that requires both parties to contribute for it to work properly and be useful in the long run. In return for being loyal, brave, obedient, diligent, and honorable, the vassals are granted security and fair judgement by their lords who must take care of their vassals. Roland and Charlemagne were viewed as the ideal vassal and lord and from them many, such as Dhouda, have learned how to best serve their lords or provide for their vassals by following the guide Roland and Charlemagne unknowingly left for them.