Rape, Sex, Violence, and Disgrace in the Legends and Epic Texts of Medieval Spain

Abstract

This article identifies and explores two ways in which sex and violence are manifested in several medieval Spanish texts. In the first group of stories analyzed, rape and sexually-related violence are condemned as treacherous affronts that result in the dishonor of the female victim as well as a male figure in her orbit—namely, her father or her betrothed. Nevertheless, these episodes shed light on the admirable qualities of key female characters and often contribute to the heroic construct of the male protagonist. In the second group, the victims’ roles are limited to enduring a sexual indignity—concubinage or rape—and bearing the illegitimate child who will restore lost order. The narrators celebrate the degradation of these noblewomen as a manifestation of heroic prowess, and they either delight in her family’s disgrace or disregard the matter of honor entirely. All the episodes in question, some of which are violent in nature, add a layer of dramatism to the narration, and perhaps struck a chord with the audience on a human level. Considering some similarities between details in the stories and documented cases of sexual violence, we might imagine that the female characters inspired women who comprised a reading or listening public to act with equal bravery and resilience while navigating the dangerously male dominated world in which they lived.

Keywords:

• Sex
• rape
• gender-based violence
• disgrace
• epic poetry
• heroic literature

Notes

1 The narration of rape and sexual violence in the literature produced elsewhere in medieval and premodern Europe has attracted the attention of scholars in recent decades. Among other studies available, see Kathryn Gavdal’s and Evelyn Birge Vitz’s work on medieval French texts; Corinne Saunders’ on the literature produced in medieval England; and Albrecht Classen’s on those texts primarily composed in medieval and premodern Germany.

2 Although King Alfonso X’s jurisprudents began compiling LSP soon after he acceded to the throne in 1252, it was not promulgated until 1348. I quote the 1807 edition prepared by the Real Academia de la Historia and reference the corresponding partida, title, and law.

3 Spain’s archives preserve far fewer testimonies of medieval rape than do those of England, France, and Italy. Complicating this matter further, most extant records documenting this crime available for review date to the reign of the Catholic Monarchs (Córdoba de la Llave 11). Although the texts under review were produced centuries earlier, extant testimonies shed light on the contexts in which sexual assault occurred as well as its impact on victims and their families.

4 I quote Ramón Menéndez Pidal’s 1955 edition, which he entitled Primera crónica general.

5 I quote Diego Catalán and María Soledad de Andrés’ edition of manuscript M, the Spanish translation of the first redaction of the Crónica de 1344, which was originally written in Portuguese. In this version of the legend, Count Julian’s daughter is predominantly referred to as “la Taba” and sometimes as “la Caba,” both of which are derivations of the Arabic names “Alataba” or “Alacaba” (Grieve 25–26). For the sake of consistency, I use “la Taba” throughout this study.

6 Although I refer to the text as Poema de mio Cid, I quote Alberto Montaner’s 2007 edition entitled Cantar de mio Cid.

7 I quote Juan Victorio’s edition of the Poema de Fernán González.

8 I quote the edition of the Mocedades de Rodrigo prepared by Carlos Alvar and Manuel Alvar (104–162).

9 I quote the edition of the Siete infantes de Lara prepared by Carlos Alvar and Manuel Alvar (202–242).