Medieval Spanish Literature: Epics, Mester de Clerecía and Prose
The Narrative of Heroic Exploits
The narrative of a hero's exploits, rooted in a community, is expressed through epic poems. These were recited by minstrels (mester de juglaría) and were common during the Middle Ages. A primary example is the Cantar de Mio Cid, a work known for its missing pages.
Cantar de Mio Cid
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the hero, was born in 1043. He befriended the son of King Fernando I. Upon the King's death, the kingdom was divided among his five children. Sancho, a friend of the Cid, was assassinated, and Alfonso was crowned. After the Cid married Jimena, García Ordóñez conspired against him, leading the King to banish him. Despite this, the Cid achieved many successes and was eventually forgiven by the King before dying in 1099.
The poem is divided into three parts:
- The Exile
- The Wedding at Corpes
- The Conquest of Valencia
Key features include themes of faith, honor, and the inclusion of fictitious episodes.
The Mester de Clerecía
Emerging in the 13th century, the mester de clerecía consists of works written in verse following a fixed scheme, composed by educated clerics. These works often served a propagandist purpose for monasteries to attract parishioners.
- 13th Century: Gonzalo de Berceo, author of Life of San Millán de la Cogolla, Life of Santo Domingo de Silos, and Miracles of Our Lady.
- 14th Century: Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita, wrote The Book of Good Love (Libro de Buen Amor), noted for its diversity of topics, including love and death.
Medieval Prose
Early medieval prose began with glosses—notes taken by students. In the second half of the 13th century, Alfonso X the Wise promoted Castilian as a language of culture. Works produced under his direction include:
- Historical: Estoria de España and General Estoria.
- Legal: Siete Partidas.
- Scientific/Religious: Lapidario and Cantigas de Santa María.
In the 14th century, the most notable prose work is El Conde Lucanor, written by Don Juan Manuel. Finally, medieval theater is divided into two varieties: religious and profane, the latter being represented by minstrels.