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Article: "For God, Spain, & El Cid": during the centuries-long struggle of the Spanish Reconquista against the Muslim occupiers of Iberia, one name stands out above all others as the exemplary Christian knight.(CULTURE WAR)(Rodrigo de Vivar)(Critical essay)
- Article from:
- The New American
- Article date:
- September 3, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 American Opinion Publishing, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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On a sandy beach on the north coast of Africa sit a dozen richly robed men, surrounded by scimitar-wielding men-at-arms, some standing, some mounted. From their opulent raiment and bejeweled fingers, the seated men are obviously individuals of some importance. In fact, they are the emirs of Spain, the Moorish kings who have been ruling the petty Muslim kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula since the collapse of the unified Caliphate of Cordoba.
They are rulers who are accustomed to issuing commands and expecting obedience without delay. They are accustomed to being feared by others. But a shadow of fear steals across their faces as they behold a black-robed figure ...