<P> Scholarly consensus has long accepted that the Song of Roland differed in its presentation depending on oral or textual transmission; namely, although a number of different versions of the song containing varying material and episodes would have been performed orally, the transmission to manuscript resulted in greater cohesiveness across versions . </P> <P> Early editors of the Song of Roland, informed in part by patriotic desires to produce a distinctly French epic, could thus overstate the textual cohesiveness of the Roland tradition . This point is expressed by Andrew Taylor, who notes, "(T) he Roland song was, if not invented, at the very least constructed . By supplying it with an appropriate epic title, isolating it from its original codicological context, and providing a general history of minstrel performance in which its pure origin could be located, the early editors presented a 4,002 line poem as sung French epic". </P> <P> Charlemagne's army is fighting the Muslims in Spain . They have been there for seven years, and the last city standing is Saragossa, held by the Muslim King Marsile . Threatened by the might of Charlemagne's army of Franks, Marsile seeks advice from his wise man, Blancandrin, who councils him to conciliate the Emperor, offering to surrender and giving hostages . Accordingly, Marsile sends out messengers to Charlemagne, promising treasure and Marsile's conversion to Christianity if the Franks will go back to France . </P> <P> Charlemagne and his men, tired of fighting, accept his peace offer and select a messenger to Marsile's court . The protagonist Roland, Charlemagne's nephew, nominates his stepfather Ganelon as messenger . Ganelon, who fears to be murdered by the enemy and accuses Roland of intending this, takes revenge by informing the Saracens of a way to ambush the rear guard of Charlemagne's army, led by Roland, as the Franks re-enter France through the mountain passes . </P>

Where does the song of roland take place