Date
Name Marsilion
Gender Masculine
Usage Carolingian Cycle
Other Forms FormsMarcilie, Marsile, Marsilie, Marsilies, Marsilius, Marsille, Marsilun, Marsiluns
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Meaning & History
Variant of Marsile (see Marsilius). This was the name of the Muslim Saracen king who attacked the rear guard of King Charlemagne in La Chanson de Roland. He was given this opportunity through the treachery of Count Ganelon, a French knight in the service of Charlemagne. Marsilion slaughters the noble rear guard and Roland (the hero of the poem) but is killed with all his host by Charlemagne, who returns for revenge.