š Free Worldwide Shipping on All Orders!Shop Now

El Cid The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary
Exploring the creation of the El Cid legend over the centuries, this masterful and evocative biography peels away the layers of myth to reveal the real-life historical figure.
El Cid was perhaps the most famous warrior involved in the indiscriminate fightingāirrespective of religionāon the Iberian Peninsula during the eleventh century.
In the centuries after his death, he was transformed into a perfect Christian knight. In modernity, he was seen as the incarnation of Spainās special national characterāFranco chose El Cid as the emblem of Nationalist Spain. Yet not only those on the political right, but many others, including academics and those on the political left, were in his thrall. He has been promoted both as the forerunner of white supremacists and of multiculturalism.
How can we explain such a stupendous afterlife, and how can El Cid be a hero for so many different people? To begin to understand that, we must try to understand the truth buried beneath the myth.
Nora Berend explores the creation of the legends over the centuries and reveals those active in its making. Medieval monks, the women in El Cidās family, a playwright, and a historian are among the creators of the mythic Cid. This riveting narrative seeks to explain their motives, and in so doing peels away the layers of legend to evoke the real-life historical figure.
El Cid was perhaps the most famous warrior involved in the indiscriminate fightingāirrespective of religionāon the Iberian Peninsula during the eleventh century.
In the centuries after his death, he was transformed into a perfect Christian knight. In modernity, he was seen as the incarnation of Spainās special national characterāFranco chose El Cid as the emblem of Nationalist Spain. Yet not only those on the political right, but many others, including academics and those on the political left, were in his thrall. He has been promoted both as the forerunner of white supremacists and of multiculturalism.
How can we explain such a stupendous afterlife, and how can El Cid be a hero for so many different people? To begin to understand that, we must try to understand the truth buried beneath the myth.
Nora Berend explores the creation of the legends over the centuries and reveals those active in its making. Medieval monks, the women in El Cidās family, a playwright, and a historian are among the creators of the mythic Cid. This riveting narrative seeks to explain their motives, and in so doing peels away the layers of legend to evoke the real-life historical figure.
$13.98
Original: $39.95
-65%El Cid The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenaryā
$39.95
$13.98Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Exploring the creation of the El Cid legend over the centuries, this masterful and evocative biography peels away the layers of myth to reveal the real-life historical figure.
El Cid was perhaps the most famous warrior involved in the indiscriminate fightingāirrespective of religionāon the Iberian Peninsula during the eleventh century.
In the centuries after his death, he was transformed into a perfect Christian knight. In modernity, he was seen as the incarnation of Spainās special national characterāFranco chose El Cid as the emblem of Nationalist Spain. Yet not only those on the political right, but many others, including academics and those on the political left, were in his thrall. He has been promoted both as the forerunner of white supremacists and of multiculturalism.
How can we explain such a stupendous afterlife, and how can El Cid be a hero for so many different people? To begin to understand that, we must try to understand the truth buried beneath the myth.
Nora Berend explores the creation of the legends over the centuries and reveals those active in its making. Medieval monks, the women in El Cidās family, a playwright, and a historian are among the creators of the mythic Cid. This riveting narrative seeks to explain their motives, and in so doing peels away the layers of legend to evoke the real-life historical figure.
El Cid was perhaps the most famous warrior involved in the indiscriminate fightingāirrespective of religionāon the Iberian Peninsula during the eleventh century.
In the centuries after his death, he was transformed into a perfect Christian knight. In modernity, he was seen as the incarnation of Spainās special national characterāFranco chose El Cid as the emblem of Nationalist Spain. Yet not only those on the political right, but many others, including academics and those on the political left, were in his thrall. He has been promoted both as the forerunner of white supremacists and of multiculturalism.
How can we explain such a stupendous afterlife, and how can El Cid be a hero for so many different people? To begin to understand that, we must try to understand the truth buried beneath the myth.
Nora Berend explores the creation of the legends over the centuries and reveals those active in its making. Medieval monks, the women in El Cidās family, a playwright, and a historian are among the creators of the mythic Cid. This riveting narrative seeks to explain their motives, and in so doing peels away the layers of legend to evoke the real-life historical figure.











