Resumo
Lendas e Narrativas (Tomo II) by Alexandre Herculano is a collection of historical and legendary tales set in various periods, blending Portuguese folklore, medieval history, and romanticized narratives.
The volume includes:
A Dama Pé-de-Cabra (11th Century): A chilling tale of D.
Diogo Lopes, a Biscayan lord, who falls in love with a mysterious woman who demands he forsake the sign of the cross.
After living together and having two children, her demonic nature is revealed when she reacts violently to D.
Diogo making the cross, fleeing with their daughter.
D.
Diogo, burdened by guilt, seeks redemption through war against the Moors, while his son, Inigo Guerra, confronts his mother’s supernatural legacy to rescue his father.
O Bispo Negro (1130): A narrative exploring the life and struggles of a bishop, set against the backdrop of 12th-century Portugal, delving into themes of faith, power, and moral conflict.
A Morte do Lidador (1170): A story centered on a legendary warrior’s death, weaving themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the turbulent Reconquista period in medieval Iberia.
O Pároco da Aldeia (1825): A more modern tale set in a rural Portuguese village, focusing on the life of a parish priest, his community, and the interplay of tradition, religion, and human flaws.
De Jersey a Granville (1831): A vivid account of a stormy sea voyage from Jersey to Granville, reflecting on human resilience, cultural clashes (particularly between English and French sailors), and the existential struggles of exile and displacement.