Note note to p. 114, l. 10 — POESÍAS DEL SIGLO XIX
Reading edition
Page 114.—l. 10. Bernardo del Carpio: Largely a fictitious figure invented in Spain to take the place of the Roland of French 365 epic poetry, when the latter became known in the Spanish peninsula. Bernardo is represented as the illegitimate son of a Conde de Saldaña and the sister of Alfonso el Casto, king of Asturias. Now grown up and a doughty warrior who has triumphed over the king’s French enemies, Bernardo demands the release of his father, imprisoned all these years by the king. The king requires certain concessions of Bernardo, and then orders the release of the count. The latter has died in the meantime, and Alfonso delivers over only the dead body. Cf. Milá y Fontanals, De la poesía heroico-popular, pp. 130 ff.