In the epilogue of the Heidelberg manuscript, the poet calls himself "der Pfaffe Kuonrat", and informs us that he translated from the French, first into Latin, and then into German, without adding or omitting.
A comparison with the French original reveals quite a number of additions, especially in the way of passages in praise of the Bavarian prince and people.
The fervour of the crusader has displaced the patriotic enthusiasm of the French epic, and gives the Rolandslied a pronounced religious tone.
Yet the influence of the folk-epic is quite evident, as, for instance, in the passage where the emperor's dazzling eyes are described.
Editions by Grimm, Ruolandes liet (Göttingen, 1838), based on the Heidelberg manuscript; and by Bartsch (Leipzig, 1874), based on the Strasburg manuscript; and selections by Piper, "Die Spielmannsdichtung", II, 14-91 (in Kürschner, Deutsche National Litteratur, II).