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The Quest for El Cid,Used
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Rodrigo Diaz, the legendary warriorknight of eleventhcentury Castile known as El Cid, is remembered today as the Christian hero of the Spanish crusade who waged wars of reconquest for the triumph of the Cross over the Crescent. He is still honored in Spain as a national hero for liberating the fatherland from the occupying Moors. Yet, as Richard Fletcher shows in this awardwinning book, there are many contradictions between eleventhcentury reality and the mythology that developed with the passing years.By placing El Cid in a fresh, historical context, Fletcher shows us an adventurous soldier of fortune who was of a type, one of a number of 'cids,' or 'bosses,' who flourished in eleventhcentury Spain. But the El Cid of legendthe national herowas unique in stature even in his lifetime. Before his death El Cid was already celebrated in a poem written in tribute of the conquest of Almera; posthumously he was immortalized in the great epic Poema de Mio Cid and became the centerpiece for countless other works of literature. When he died in Valencia in 1099, he was ruler of an independent principality he had carved for himself in Eastern Spain. Rather than the zealous Christian leader many believe him to have been, Rodrigo emerges in Fletcher's study as a mercenary equally at home in the feudal kingdoms of northern Spain and the exotic Moorish lands of the south, selling his martial skills to Christian and Muslim alike. Indeed, his very title derives from the Arabic word sayyid meaning 'lord' or 'master.' And as there was little if any sense of Spanish nationhood in the eleventh century, he can hardly be credited for uniting a medieval Spanish nation.In this groundbreaking inquiry into the life and times of El Cid, Fletcher disentangles fact from myth to create a striking portrait of an extraordinary man, clearly showing how and why legend transformed him into something he was not during his life. A fascinating journey through a turbulent epoch, The Quest for El Cid is filled with the excitement of discovery, and will delight readers interested not only in Spanish history and literature, but those who want to understand how myth can shape our perception of history.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main focus of 'The Quest for El Cid'? A: 'The Quest for El Cid' primarily examines the life of Rodrigo Diaz, also known as El Cid, exploring the historical realities of his life versus the myths that have developed over time.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Richard Fletcher, a historian known for his insightful analysis of medieval Spain.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'The Quest for El Cid'? A: 'The Quest for El Cid' was published on June 20, 1991.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains a total of 246 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'The Quest for El Cid' is available in a paperback binding.
- Q: Is this book in new condition? A: Yes, the book is listed as 'New' condition.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: 'The Quest for El Cid' is categorized under 'Spain & Portugal'.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations or maps? A: The details provided do not specify whether the book includes illustrations or maps.
- Q: What themes are explored in this book? A: The book explores themes of heroism, mythology versus reality, and the historical context of El Cid's life during the eleventh century.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of this book? A: Yes, the book is noted as being the first edition.