El Cid: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary by Nora Berend Hardcover

Description: El Cid by Nora Berend An authoritative new history: The life and afterlife of a medieval hero and an exploration of heroism, myth-making and national identity through the centuries. FORMAT Hardcover CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description A fascinating study of historical mythmaking... Concise and absorbingPaul Freedman, author of Out of the EastLively, original and fascinatingDavid Abulafia, Literary ReviewRodrigo Diaz lived a violently colourful life in eleventh-century Spain. An ambitious military leader, exile and brutal mercenary, he served Christian kings, fought against Christian princes in service of Muslim rulers, raided and killed Muslims and eventually struck out on his own, carving out an independent principality. While Rodrigo the man is long dead, El Cid lives on: a superhero; a quasi-saint; the spirit of Spain, according to military dictator Franco; and a champion of medieval Spanish multiculturalism. Nora Berend uncovers how el Cid has been transformed across the centuries, confronting the gulf between truth and legend and examining how a military adventurer became a hero to people on opposite ends of the political spectrum. What is it about this man that appeals to us? And why do we transform the most unsuitable people into heroes?Would the real El Cid please stand up? Nora Berends fascinating new book covers nearly a thousand years of history and myth-making about this eleventh-century warrior . . . and presents all the delicious ironies of historyProfessor Marc David Baer, author of The Ottomans: Khans, Caliphs, and Caesars Author Biography Nora Berend is Professor of European History at the University of Cambridge. She has published extensively on medieval history and has written for History Today among others. Review A fascinating study of historical mythmaking. Nora Berend shows what can be pieced together about the eleventh-century mercenary known as El Cid, as well as the complicated legendary "afterlife" built on his career. How did this opportunistic knight, who served Christian kings, Arab rulers and most of all his own interests, became a symbol of Spanish unity and Castilian-dominated national identity? Concisely and absorbingly, Berend supplies the answers. -- Paul Freedman, author of Out of the EastWould the real El Cid please stand up? Nora Berends fascinating new book covers nearly a thousand years of history and myth-making about this eleventh-century warrior . . . [and] presents all the delicious ironies of history -- Professor Marc David Baer, author of The Ottomans: Khans, Caliphs, and CaesarsLively, original and fascinating -- David Abulafia * Literary Review * Details ISBN1399709623 Author Nora Berend Publisher Hodder & Stoughton Year 2024 ISBN-10 1399709623 ISBN-13 9781399709620 Format Hardcover Publication Date 2024-11-07 Imprint Sceptre Subtitle The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary Country of Publication United Kingdom Audience General UK Release Date 2024-11-07 Pages 256 NZ Release Date 2025-02-10 AU Release Date 2025-02-10 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:168436664;

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