El Cid: The Making of a Legend

by M.J. Trow

Rodrigo Diaz was one of countless warlords in 11th century Spain. Why, then, was an epic film starring Charlton Heston made about the man known as El Cid? Why is he Spain's national hero and why is his statue in New York? M.J. Trow peals back layers of legend to reveal the real man and the icon he has become.

Genres: History, Biography, Islam

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2007

About the author

Meirion James Trow is a full-time teacher of history who has been doubling as a crime writer for seventeen years. Originally from Ferndale, Rhondda in South Wales he now lives on the Isle of Wight. His interests include collecting militaria, film, the supernatural and true crime.

Reviews

[RavensScar · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my humble opinion the book was excellent. Yes I know there is little written record left of El Cid. Yes most of the El Cid legend is oral history that at a later date (sometimes centuries) was written down. It can be difficult to find the real man behind the legend, but I think the author did a good job.

[Abigail Hartman · Rating 2 out of 5]

El Cid has always interested me, and I found Trow's book very enlightening as to the time period. Because so little is known about Rodrigo of Vivar, the book could get a little full of "He must have," "It must have," "Perhaps," and "Maybe"'s, which makes the reader doubt the reliability of the writing. However, Trow is quite accurate as far as historians' knowledge of the subject and the time goes and "El Cid: The Making of a Legend" is an intriguing, light read.

[Murphies_law · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another overhyped national hero

The book is very informative but often rather overwhelming with its info dumps. The second half of the book seems mostly for scholars and got a bit too much for me..

Unlike the through later nationalistic propaganda ridiculously overhyped Richard Lionheart who was turned from zero to hero, Rodrigo is a tragical self made man who almost conquered himself a kingdom. Nevertheless, it is astounding that he was made into a national hero as he not really achieved anything of importance in the long run. Given the fact that he neither left a dynasty nor his conquests could be held by the Christians he just was a skilled opportunistic but rather unscrupulous war leader who caused a lot of harm out of mostly egotistical reasons. Compared with for example the Hungarian national hero Emeshe Hunyadi and the results of his victories El Cids accomplishments pale into obscurity..

Some comments regarding statements in the book:

According to Wikipedia the statement about the two-handed swords is inaccurate.

It is strange that the author seems to accept the Arthus legend as a fact as there was even less proof found for this than for the existence of Charlemagne.

The claim about the Austrians expanding into nowadays Switzerland is WILDLY historically inaccurate as the Habsburg dynasty came from Switzerland and controlled most of the territory.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read. I enjoyed the clear picture of 11th century Spain and how it differed from naive depictions of feudalism and chivalry.

Suffers a bit from repetition and needs one more proofreading.

[Robert Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trow rather adroitly seperates the man from the legend; disappointingly little is known for certain, but what is known paints the Cid as a ruthless and mercenary freebooter, albeit a very successful freebooter.

[Tola Bankole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The making of a legend.

Difficult to read at first but eventually gave me a good insight into the never ending war between Christians and Moslems to this very day.