Why is The Song of Roland called the national epic of France?

Just as Beowulf is the oldest
surviving poem written in English, so also The Song of Roland
(Chanson de Roland) is the oldest surviving poem written
in French. Also like Beowulf, The Song of Roland
is the tale of hero who performs great acts of
courage.

The Song of Roland is the
national epic of France not simply because it is written in French, however. Unlike
Beowulf, which although written in English does not have an English hero, Roland is a
thoroughly French hero. He is the nephew of Charlemagne, leader of the Franks and future
Holy Roman Emperor.

The story is set during a battle
between the Franks and the Saracens (Arabs). Roland has the fatal flaw of hubris, or
excessive pride. When the troops he commands are attacked from the rear, he refuses to
blow the horn to call Charlemagne to come to their rescue because it would bring
dishonor to him as a knight. After nearly all his men are killed, Roland is finally
persuaded to blow the alarm, and he blows the horn so hard that blood vessels in his
head burst, causing his death. Charlemagne does come to the rescue and defeats the
Saracens, but too late to save his nephew.