the greatest of the legendary 12 peers (paladins, of whom Oliver was another) in attendance on Charlemagne; he died in battle at Roncesvalles (778 ad)
Roland in American English
(ˈroʊlənd; ˈrɑlənd)
noun
1.
a masculine name: var. Rowland; equiv. It. Orlando
2.
a legendary hero famous for his strength, courage, and chivalrous spirit who appears in the Chanson de Roland and other stories of the Charlemagne cycle
Word origin
Fr < OHG Hruodland < hruod-, fame (see Robert1) + land, land