King John I of England, John Without Land for History, signed a day like today of 1245 la Magna Carta, the basis of future constitutional freedoms in Europe. The little brother, and not so damn not so evil, Richard the Lionheart he is one of those historical figures who, like that of his legendary brother, transcend his own life. The cinema and literature they have contributed to this in a significant way. I highlight 4 readings about him since those different perspectives.
John Without Land
When your father Henry II, First King of England of the House Plantagenet, nicknamed you "Landless" when you are two years old, you should already worry. And that was what happened to the youngest of the children of Enrique and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Because although in the end he inherited the possessions of the so-called Angevin Empire (territory of his father obtained by his wars and marriage with Eleanor, the richest woman of his time), he was not able to preserve them.
However, Juan sin Tierra was a king much more important than his famous older brother Ricardo Corazón de Léon. He reigned more years and with more dedication to English affairs than Ricardo, who died without issue. Moreover, all the kings until almost three hundred years later were his descendants.
Eleanor of Aquitaine - Pamela Kaufman
Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most interesting women in medieval europe. Born in 1112, and was first married for 10 stormy years to the French king Louis VII, who took her with him to the Second Crusade. That experience marked her and she wanted to get the annulment of marriage.
She tried to marry later with a young love, but they forced her to marry the king Henry II. Accepting the situation, he decided fight for your rights and those of your children until the end of his long and very intense life. All that is what this successful novel by this American writer tells.
Ivanhoe - Walter Scott
The Avatars of the Noble Sir Wilfredo of Ivanhoe after his return from the Crusades, the troubles with his father and the hostilities between Normans and Saxons are the argument of this classics of classics of the Scottish writer. It is also the first story where the famous character from Robin Hood, of whom so many versions have been made and who always darkened the figure of Juan Sin Tierra.
Defy a king - Elizabeth Chadwick
Elizabeth Chadwick has been considered the best writer of medieval fiction today. And this novel also complies with the canons of intense narration and great detail of descriptions and characters that mark the genre.
With the background full Magna Carta, tells the story of Mahelt Marshall, the privileged daughter of one of the most powerful men in England, whose life changes dramatically when the king begins to distrust her father for treason. When his brothers are captured and taken hostage, Mahelt marries Hugh Bigod Norfolk County heir.
It will be hard to adjust to your new life and the customs of his in-laws. However, they end up falling deeply in love. But then King John also decides to subdue the Bigod, and Mahelt will be faced with the dilemma that neither she nor her marriage will survive the fight.
Robin of the woods - Jose Luis Garci
This was the tribute from Garci to the most legendary film version and famous Robin Hood: the director michael curtiz, with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland as protagonists. He published it for the 80th anniversary of its premiere which was in 2018. Their reflections from an untimely operation of vegetation that prevented the child Garci from attending the premiere of the film.
This remembered version possibly showed the most recognizable face of all those who have given life in fiction to Juan Sin Tierra: that of that magnificent English actor who was Claude rains, priceless in his portrait dark, devious, cynical and at the same time funny of his compatriot king.