cantares de gesta

Cantares de gesta were medieval narrative epic poems in Spanish literature, similar to the French chanson de geste. These "songs of deeds" were recited by jongleurs and celebrated heroic exploits. The most famous example is the Cantar de mio Cid, which tells the story of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known as the Cid. While often considered historically authentic, these epics also contained imaginative elements and reflected a subjective approach by the poet. Themes from these lost narratives, such as Los siete infantes de Lara and El cerco de Zamora, have been partially reconstructed through their incorporation into chronicles.12