EL CID: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary

1-251160

Explores the creation of the El Cid legend over the centuries, and seeks to peel away the layers of myth to reveal the real-life historical figure. Details how he became the incarnation of Spain's national character, and how he became a hero to many different people and political views through the centuries to follow. Explores the creation of the legends over the centuries and reveals those active in its making. Medieval monks, the women in El Cid's family, a playwright, and a historian are among the creators of the mythic Cid, and this work seeks to explain their motives. Contains an eight-page color insert.