Speaking Truth to Power

Emerging from a richly diverse oral narrative tradition, the heroic tale of the young Cid appears in multiple textual manifestations. From its first appearance circa 1300, the dynamic narrative of the legendary deeds of this young Castilian warrior eclipses the uninspired, matter-of-fact narration of the reign of Fernando I into which it is incorporated. In its analysis of the Mocedades de Rodrigo, the epic poem of Cid’s youth, Speaking Truth to Power identifies the narrative cohesion and the aesthetic principles that elevated the story of the young Cid to its place of prominence among the epic narratives of medieval Spain.

Examining the evolution of the narrative through various textual versions, Matthew Bailey highlights the permutations that propelled the young Cid’s unparalleled popularity. The book traces this vibrant narrative tradition from its earliest manifestation in the aftermath of Charlemagne’s imperial mission in Spain to the early modern drama of Guillén de Castro. It convincingly discerns the leadership qualities and the social impact of its legendary protagonists, from their manifestation in the Latin chronicles of early Iberia through the Renaissance, incorporating a wealth of previous scholarship in its innovative findings.

Speaking Truth to Power provides readers with a heightened appreciation for the vibrancy of the poetic tradition that lives beyond the texts we study, the oral narratives that are continually refashioned for new audiences and contexts.