El Cid

The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary

By: Nora Berend

Write A Review

Hardcover | 7 January 2024 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Hardcover
256 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
24.1 x 16.4 x 2.6

Hardcover

RRP $59.99

$51.75

14%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $12.94 with

or

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

'A fascinating study of historical mythmaking . . . concise and absorbing'

Paul Freedman, author of Out of the East

'Lively, original and fascinating'

David Abulafia, Literary Review

'An enthralling study . . . exceptionally fascinating'

Washington Post

Rodrigo 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 Berend's 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 Caesars

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.