Literary character of the Song of Roland in the Matter of France, Ganelon is the brother-in-law of Charlemagne of which he married the sister and of which he had a son, which makes of him the father-in-law of Roland, it is however him which betrays it. For this reason it in a certain manner became in the French tradition the Archétype of the Félon or the traitor.

True Ganelon, which in fact was cleaned, lived well after that of the Chanson of Roland since he lived two generations after Charlemagne: king Charles the Bald person was the grandson of Charlemagne. They lived in the neighborhoods of 830-840 what made it possible the author of the Song of Roland (can be Theroulde) to make use of this Ganelon, which itself betrayed Charles the Bald person.

In work its hatred towards Roland breaks out when this one proposes in Charlemagne to choose it to go to negotiate with Marsile, Moslem king of Saragossa, whose they received proposals which wake up the suspicion. Ganelon believes that Roland wants his death and, eager to be avenged, gets along secretly with Marsile so that it attacks the rear-guard of Charlemagne led by Roland. After the death of its nephew, Charlemagne beats buckwheats then returns to Aachen. Charlemagne then makes judge Ganelon.

At the time of its lawsuit, Ganelon recalls its disagreements with Roland, and ensures that it did not wish to betray his king. Thirty parents of Ganelon defend it, and Pinabel launches a challenge to whoever would wish to condemn Ganelon. The noble ones try to convince Charlemagne to be lenient, but Thierry of Anjou takes up the challenge and it is victorious of Pinabel. According to this judgment of God, Ganelon, declared guilty of félonie, is condemned to be quartered with four horses. At the same time all its close relations who had gone guaranteeing for him are hung.

In song XXXII of the Divine comedy , Ganelon is shown to us relegated in the Cocyte, with deepest of the Hell, in punishment of its treason.

External bonds

The lawsuit of Ganelon