Emerging from a richly diverse oral narrative tradition circa 1300, the heroic and dynamic tale of the young Cid eclipses the uninspired, matter-of-fact narration of the reign of Fernando I into which it is incorporated. In its analysis of the Mocedades de Rodrigo, the epic poem of Cid's youth, Speaking Truth to Power identifies the narrative cohesion and the aesthetic principles that elevated the story of the young Cid to its place of prominence among the epic narratives of medieval Spain.

Matthew Bailey highlights the various textual versions of the narrative that propelled the young Cid's unparalleled popularity, tracing this vibrant narrative tradition from its earliest manifestation in the aftermath of Charlemagne's imperial mission in Spain to the early modern drama of Guillén de Castro. The book convincingly discerns the leadership qualities and the social impact of its legendary protagonist, incorporating a wealth of previous scholarship in its innovative findings.

Speaking Truth to Power provides readers with a heightened appreciation for the vibrancy of the poetic tradition that lives beyond the texts we study, the oral narratives that are continually refashioned for new audiences and contexts.