In the centuries since his death, the famous El Cid has been the star of plays, romances, feature films, and even propaganda campaigns. But how does history compare to the hype? This week, Danièle speaks with Nora Berend about the real Rodrigo Díaz, the astonishing way his legend grew and changed over time, and how El Cid is still being used as a political tool in the modern world.
Nora Berend is Professor of European History at the University of Cambridge. Her new book is El Cid: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary
The creator and host of The Medieval Podcast is Danièle Cybulskie. Click here to visit her website or follow her on BlueSky @5minmedievalist.bsky.social
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Top Image: Detail of the statue of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar “El Cid Campeador” in Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. Photo by LBM1948 / Wikimedia Commons
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