Horizontes de lectura en el Ejemplo XI de El Conde Lucanor

Abstract

he «ejemplo XI» in Don Juan Manuel's El conde Lucanor (1335) is generally ranked among the best tales in the book, but a particular feature of it has been long since neglected: The "Deán de Santiago" is made to believe himself Archbishop of Santiago, then Bishop of Tolosa, Cardinal and Pope. Apparently, leaving Santiago for Tolosa is a step downwards (the Archbishop demoted to Bishop) in an ascending career, what has embarrased critics as well as writers of modem versions of the tale. However, an inquiry into the contemporary history shows that Tolosa (Toulouse, now in France) was then closely linked with the Popes residing in Avignon, especially with John XXII (1316-1334). Thus the tale combines Don Yllán's magic with a realistic set for the ecclesiastical carreer of the Deán de Santiago, resulting in a satire and a playful inversion of actual characters and events.