The famous old Song of Roland (Chanson d'Roland), apparently first written
in the 12th century, contains several references to Carlon and Carlun.
The Song of Roland is a commentary on the achievements of Charlemagne, king
of the western Franks in the eight century. The song is only one of several
songs about Charlemagne, and is hardly an accurate history of the times; it
was their popular medium. But we're not studying Charlemagne, we're studying
Carlon and Carlun and the origins of the Carlin name.
Matters related to Charlemagne (Charles the Great, from the Latin; magna or
magne=great) were known, in Latin, as Carolinian matters. Carolin, when
pronounced with a Celtish brogue, becomes Carlin or Carlon or Carlun. This
is quite simplistic, but nonetheless true.
Our "in house" expert on the origins of the Carlin name is Mr Colin Carlin
of Bath, England, who has been studying this matter for more than 20 years.
We don't actually have an "in house" expert on the Song of Roland.
I've
seen the song in English translation on the web, courtesy of the Gutenberg
project, but frankly I never studied it in college. (I remember hearing of
it in college, and wondering who Roland was, but that's it.) And my
knowledge of medieval French is, well, limited. (Zero would be a good word.)
Do you know about the Song of Roland? Have you ever
studied it in college or graduate school somewhere?
We're looking for someone to help in our understanding
of The Song of Roland and its references to Carlon and
Carlun. Can you help?
Thank you.