Poetry, drama and classics are on stage Erasmus+ project 2017-1-TR01-KA219-045575_3-4. Coordinator: Esen Kuvvet. Webmaster: Dr. Francisco Pérez

1. The Poem of the Cid
the oldest preserved Castilian epic poem

2. Discussing
concepts
as epic
poetry or
minstrels
Mester de juglaría refers to the medieval tradition according to
which popular poems were passed down from generation to
generation, being changed in the process. These poems were
meant to be performed in public by minstrels (or juglares).

3. It is, however, incomplete, missing the first page and
two others in the middle, and is written in Old Spanish.
The existing
copy forms
part of a
14th-century
codex in the
Biblioteca
Nacional
de España,
in Madrid,
Spain.

4. Unlike other European medieval epics, the tone is realist.
There is no magic, even the apparition of archangel Gabriel
(verses 404–410) happens in a dream
As we were
minstrels we
performed
the
traditional
composition
differently.

5. By these heroic acts he regained the confidence of
the king and his honor was restored.
The story begins
with the exile of El
Cid, whose
enemies had
unjustly accused
him of stealing
money from the
king, Alfonso VI of
Castile and León,
leading to his exile.
To regain his honor,
he participated in
the battles against
the Moorish armies
and
conquered Valencia
.