Charlemagne’s Defeat in the Pyrenees: The Battle of Rencesvals(The Early Medieval North Atlantic)

The Battle of Errozabal (Rencesvals) is the one of the most significant historical events of eighth century Vasconia and in all Western Europe. The present monograph examines Charlemagne’s campaign from the perspective of military history but also as part of a complex socio-political process that began after the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 and culminated with the creation of the Kingdom of Pamplona in 824. The battle had major (and largely underappreciated) consequences for the Carolingian Empire. It also enjoyed a remarkable legacy as the topic of one of the oldest European epic poems, La Chanson de Roland. The events that took place in the Pyrenean pass of Errozabal on 15 August 778 defined the development of the Carolingian world, and lie at the heart of the early medieval contribution to the later medieval period.

Table of Contents:
Preface, Precedents of the Battle, - The Paderborn Diet, 777, - The Marca Hispanica: A New Political project, The Campaign of 778, - March on Vasconia, - Siege and Capture of Pamplona, - At the Gates of Zaragoza, - Retreat and Destruction of Pamplona, The Battle of Errozabal in Light of the Frankish Sources, Consequences of the Battle, Impact of the Battle in the Medieval Tradition, - The Battle According to the Chanson de Roland, - The Battle as Described in the Historia Caroli Magni et Rotholandi, - Interpretation of the Stained-Glass Window of Chartres Cathedral, Epilogue, Appendix: Historical sources, Bibliography, Index

About the Author :
Xabier Irujo (Chair of the Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada, Reno) holds three Mas in linguistics, history and philosophy and two PhDs in history and philosophy. He has lectured and published on topics related to Basque history.

Review :
"The Basque perspective is largely unaddressed in studies of Charlemagne and the infamous battle at Rencesvals/Errozabal during which the great emperor’s rearguard suffered a catastrophic defeat. Xabier Irujo’s book not only addresses that lack but puts forward a series of compelling arguments as to why the Basque involvement has not received more in-depth study. As such, this book provides an interesting example of how reading absence in the archive can yield fruitful and transformative perspectives." - Geneviève Young, Medium Aevum, 91.1 ''Xabier Irujo has produced another in a string of fine studies examining the pious fictions and malevolent lies told about or perpetrated upon the Basques.'' - Michael Vargas, Speculum 98/4 October (2023)