Nora Berend

Jan 10, 2025 | irishnews.com | Michael Dirda |Nora Berend

El CidThe Life and Afterlife of a Medieval MercenaryBy Nora BerendPegasus. 256 pp. RRP £25Almost every nation has its national epic, usually an account from early in its history of the martial exploits of a warrior-hero.

Nov 1, 2024 | literaryreview.co.uk | Nora Berend

Among medieval heroes, El Cid has proved the most durable. There is no doubt that he, unlike King Arthur, existed; it is certain that he gained control of Muslim Valencia at the end of the eleventh century. Nor is there any doubt that he was a member of the Castilian lesser nobility and had a wife named Jimena.