Contradictory Muslims in the Literature of Medieval Iberian Christians (New Middle Ages The)

This book argues that literary and historiographical works written by Iberian Christians between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries promoted contradictory representations of Muslims in order to advocate for their colonization through the affirmation of Christian supremacy. Ambivalent depictions of cultural difference are essential for colonizers to promote their own superiority, as explained by postcolonial critics and observed in medieval and early modern texts in Castilian, Catalan, and Portuguese, such as the Cantar de mio Cid, Cantigas de Santa Maria, Llibre dels fets , Estoria de España , Crónica geral de 1344 , Tirant lo Blanch , and Os Lusíadas. In all these works, the contradictions of Muslim enemies, allies, and subjects allow Christian leaders to prevail and profit through their opposition and collaboration with them. Such colonial dynamics of simultaneous belligerence and assimilation determined the ways in which Portugal, Spain, and later European powers interacted with non-Christians in Africa, Asia, and even the Americas. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Acknowledgments 6 Contents 8 Chapter 1: Introduction: Friendly Chivalrous Enemies—Contradiction, Stereotypes, and Colonialism in the Representations of Muslims by Medieval Christians 10 Contradictory Muslims in Medieval Iberian Studies 13 Ambivalent Versus One-Sided Depictions of Non-Christians 18 Contradiction, Stereotypes, and Colonialism 24 Three Notes on Terminology 31 Chapter 2: Indispensable Enemies, Subjects, and Friends: The Political Instrumentalization of Muslims in the Cantar de mio Cid 40 The Cid, His King, and the Muslims Between Them 42 The Cid’s Contradictory Portrayals and Relationships with Muslims 47 A Diversity of Representations and Relationships with One Common Goal 54 Chapter 3: The Learned Conquerors and Their Muslims: Intercultural Conflict and Collaboration in the Cantigas de Santa Maria and the Llibre dels fets 64 Alfonso X and Jaume I as “Authors” and Conquerors 65 Christian Expansionism and Ambivalence Toward Muslims 70 Killing, Befriending, and Protecting Muslims 77 A Competition of Power and Reputations 89 The Rebellious Muslims and the Christian Kings 96 Muslims as Symbols and Examples 104 Chapter 4: From Great Muslim Heroes to Good Christian Subjects: Converting the Legend of the Seven Infantes of Lara 108 The Estoria de España and Its Contradictory Muslims 110 The Livro de linhagens do conde D. Pedro and a Hero’s Conversion 120 The Crónica geral de Espanha de 1344 and the Triumph of Christian Colonialism 123 Chapter 5: Across the Mediterranean and Beyond: Fighting Islam by Embracing Muslims in Tirant lo Blanch 130 The Authorship Debate and the Representations of Muslims 132 The Fall of Constantinople and Tirant’s Rewriting of History 137 The Muslim Siege of Christendom 141 Chivalrous, Wise, and Helpful Muslims 147 Crusade and Conversion at the Service of Christian Colonialism 154 Chapter 6: An Empire of Faith and Its Infidels: Portuguese Colonialism and Muslims, According to Os Lusíadas and Its Sources 161 The Role of Muslims in the History of Portugal 163 Using History, War, and Religion to Support the Avis Dynasty 171 The Providential Role of Portugal and the Papal Endorsement of Colonialism 176 Friendly Muslims and Portuguese Expansionism 182 The Ambivalent Pragmatism of Portuguese Colonizers 191 Chapter 7: Conclusion: Christian Supremacy and Contradictory Non-Christians Beyond Muslims and Iberia 199 Works Cited 211 Index 230