Author: Christian Kusi-Obodum

The Estoria de Espanna takes us far and wide in its tour through history. While this chronicle is entitled the ‘History of Spain’, many of its narratives recount events from far beyond the Iberian Peninsula. The manuscript deals with important events that took place in northern and central Europe, the Maghreb and the Middle East. … Continue reading “Tales from the Estoria (vi) — Preaching without a tongue”

Many kings throughout history gain a reputation in one way or another. Alfonso X of Castile (1252-1284) was named “Alfonso the Wise”, after his many works of scholarship. England’s Richard I (1157-1199) was “the Lionheart” for his bravery and military prowess. Some titles weren’t quite so complimentary: the Russian tsar Ivan IV (1547-1584) came to … Continue reading “Tales from the Estoria (v) — Supersize Sancho”

When Alfonso X commissioned his Estoria de Espanna, he expected the history to cover the whole of Spain’s existence. That didn’t just mean the major events that took place on Spanish soil: it also meant a detailed explanation of the empires into which Spain was incorporated. Perhaps the most important civilisation to ever rule Spain … Continue reading “Tales from the Estoria (iv) — Children of witches and fauns”

The book of Exodus left its mark with the expression “an eye for an eye”. I can’t claim to be sufficiently versed in theology to comment on the phrase itself: I’m sure there are many possible interpretations. I do feel the expression, regardless of how it is interpreted, has universal resonance outside of a purely … Continue reading “Tales from the Estoria (iii) — An eye for an eye, quite literally”

Believe it or not, I can justify the last 18 minutes I spent googling images and watching youtube clips of a 1997 Walt Disney film. It’s certainly not my usual research. Instead I was looking for a suitable shot to capture the truly immortal figure of Hercules. Still loved today, the legends of his exploits … Continue reading “Tales from the Estoria (ii) — Hercules, that’s who!”

Every so often we come across personalities who are said to be “ahead of their time”. Leonardo da Vinci, Mary Wollstonecraft and Franz Kafka are some that first come to mind. But there is another historical figure whom I have grown to recognise through my postgraduate studies as a man ahead of his time: Alfonso … Continue reading “Tales from the Estoria (i) — The Spanish chronicle of chronicles”