The Quest for El Cid

Book Review

by Paul Forgette

Into Burgos rode El Cid, sixty lances in his company, and men and women ran out to see him. The citizens of Burgos, sorely weeping, stood at their windows, and each one made the same lament: God, what a worthy vassal, had he but a worthy lord!" ... So is written The Poem of The Cid."

From this poem Rodrigo Diaz rides into Spanish history, the crusading hero, waging war against the Moors, uniting Spain under one common good.

Richard Fletcher, in his book, The Quest for El Cid, researches the life of Rodrigo Diaz. Was he the crusading warrior as the poem tells, or was he merely a mercenary soldier of his time? Why does he remain such an important part of Spanish history and mythology?

Mr. Fletcher provides information to help one better understand who Rodrigo Diaz was. He gives us insight into the writings of Ramon Menendez Pidal, author of La Espana del Cid The research is detailed but not boring. There is a chronological order starting with the birth of Islam. It shows how Islam affected Spain and its people. We learn about the Moors and the Spanish people; how they lived, what they believed in, how they fought, and the intrigue of their politics.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Rodrigo Diaz. It is published by Oxford University Press and is available through your local bookstore for $ 8.95.

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