The world of El Cid: Chronicles of the Spanish Reconquest

by Richard Fletcher (editor), Simon MacLean (Series Editor), Simon Barton (Editor)

Makes available, for the first time in English translation, four of the principal narrative sources for the history of the Spanish kingdom of León-Castile during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Three chronicles focus primarily upon the activities of the kings of León-Castile as leaders of the Reconquest of Spain from the forces of Islam, and especially upon Fernando I (1037-65), his son Alfonso VI (1065-1109) and the latter's grandson Alfonso VII (1126-57). The fourth chronicle is a biography of the hero Rodrigo Díaz, better remembered as El Cid, and is the main source of information about his extraordinary career as a mercenary soldier who fought for Christian and Muslim alike. Covers the fascinating interaction of the Muslim and Christian worlds, each at the height of their power. Each text is prefaced by its own introduction and accompanied by explanatory notes.

Genres: History, Spain, Nonfiction, Medieval

296 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2001

About the author

Richard Alexander Fletcher was a historian who specialized in the medieval period. He was Professor of History at the University of York and one of the outstanding talents in English and Spanish medieval scholarship.

Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fletcher is the expert on all things Cid and all things 11th century Spain. Reading this was a bit painful(so many tedious footnotes)... but the it is without-a-doubt one of the most well-researched texts of this era. Thorough, thorough analyses of primary texts. Although I prefer the lightness of the Quest for El Cid (Fletcher's earlier publication), it is a must-read for scholars of medieval spain