Category: Spanish Folklore Legend

Abenamar and King Don Juan Late medieval Spanish-Moorish historical ballad. In 1431 King Juan II of Castile besieged the Moorish stronghold of Granada. After defeating…

Roderick, Don (eighth century) In medieval Spanish history and legend, last Visigoth king of Spain, appearing in many Spanish ballads. He was defeated by the…

Pedro the Cruel (1334–1369) In medieval history and legend, king of Castile and León, who appears in numerous Spanish ballads. Don Pedro was popular with…

Melisenda In medieval Spanish legends, daughter of Charlemagne and the wife of Gayferos. She was captured by the Moors and held prisoner for seven years.…

Lara, Infantes de (princes of Lara) (10th century) In Spanish history and legend, seven brothers who were killed by their uncle Ruy Valásquez in 986.…

González, Conde Fernán (c. 930–970) In medieval Spanish legend, count of Burgos who made Castile independent of the state of León. He is the subject…

Don Quixote A novel whose full title is El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha (“The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha”), written…

Don Juan Tenorio (14th century) In late medieval legend, libertine Spanish nobleman who is taken off to hell for his sins. Don Juan, the son…

Cid, El (lord, master) In medieval Spanish legend, a hero, Rodrigo Díaz de Bivar (1040– 1099), whose victories over the Moors inspired ballads, chronicles, and…

Carlos, Don (1545–1568) In Spanish history and legend, son of Philip II of Spain by his wife, Maria of Portugal. The historical picture of Don…