A pioneering 16th-century Spanish novel, written by a woman and featuring remarkably strong female characters decades before Cervantes penned Don Quixote, is being resurrected for a new generation of readers.
The Lost Pioneer of Spanish Fiction
Long before the gaunt knight of La Mancha tilted at windmills, the heroic deeds of Cristalián de España were captivating audiences. First published in 1545, this 800-page epic of swords, sorcery, and dragons holds a unique literary distinction: it is the earliest known novel written by a female Spanish author, Beatriz Bernal.
While Miguel de Cervantes and his satire of chivalric romance became a cornerstone of Western culture, Bernal's life and work faded into obscurity, preserved mainly within academic circles. Now, a new illustrated adaptation titled Las aventuras del caballero Cristalián (The Adventures of Cristalián the Knight) aims to correct this historical oversight and introduce her vibrant imagination to younger audiences.
Breaking the 'Cage' of Academia
The adapter, children's author Diego Arboleda, first encountered Bernal during his university studies. "She's one of those writers who are studied a lot but who haven't managed to break out of the cage of academic studies," Arboleda noted. "It's ironic because the kind of chivalric romance she wrote did have a big audience back then."
Born into a wealthy family in northern Spain at the dawn of the 16th century, Bernal published Cristalián in her early forties. The first edition intriguingly concealed her identity, attributed only to "a noble and native lady of the most loyal town of Valladolid." Her name was finally revealed on the title page of the posthumous 1587 edition.
Despite her modern anonymity, Bernal was recognised in her own time. Her eponymous knight was even referenced in a verse by the famed Spanish Golden Age poet Luis de Góngora.
A Female Vision in a Masculine Genre
Arboleda's fascination with Bernal was rekindled during Spain's Covid lockdown, when he transcribed a digital copy of her novel. He was struck by her bold authorial voice. "She has this female vision within a genre that was very masculine," he explained. "Her female characters aren't passive, they're strong and active."
This is powerfully evident in characters like Membrina, a sorceress described as so wise "that she never wanted to take a husband in order that no one should order her about." Another standout is the female errant knight Minerva, whom Arboleda describes as "a really good warrior who's very powerful and very brave."
"Bernal is moving away from these archetypal female characters that are passive," Arboleda emphasised. "And instead of a princess who has to be saved by a knight, you have Minerva the knight saving people."
The novel is also a treasure trove of inventive fantasy. Arboleda highlights a female giant who pilots a dragon not by riding it, but by entering through a door in its side. "It's like a plane or like the bus from Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbour Totoro," he said.
Academic Donatella Gagliardi, who authored a 2010 study on Bernal, states the writer's work "legitimised the female voice" in a male-dominated literary world. "From her pen sprang unforgettable female characters," Gagliardi affirmed.
A Long-Overdue Recognition
For Arboleda, championing Bernal's work is a mission. "Historically speaking, everything was against Beatriz Bernal," he reflected. "She was a woman and she was choosing not to write a 'virtuous' book about religion... Instead, she wrote in this chivalric genre that was so successful but which then disappeared."
His adaptation, illustrated by Eugenia Ábalos, seeks to place Bernal's tale alongside beloved sagas like Arthurian legend and The Lord of the Rings in the minds of young readers. Arboleda finds a poignant justice in its revival.
"It makes me smile because now that the book is reaching readers, there's some small satisfaction there for Beatriz Bernal," he said. "It's not revenge, it's just seeing that after such a long time, people are enjoying her text." This illustrated reboot ensures that the adventurous spirit of a forgotten literary pioneer finally gets the audience she deserves.
