Short Stuff: How California Got Its Name

The Song of Roland is an 11th-century chanson de geste that tells the story of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in AD 778. The poem centers around Roland, the nephew of Charlemagne, who is betrayed by his stepfather Ganelon and led into an ambush by the Saracens. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Roland and his men fight valiantly, but ultimately, Roland dies after blowing his oliphant to call for help, though it comes too late. The poem explores themes of honor, feudal duty, and religious belief, and it is structured around four great scenes that balance each other, culminating in Charlemagne's vengeance for Roland's death and the punishment of Ganelon for his treachery.

Las Sergas de Esplandián is a sequel to the popular chivalric romance 'Amadís de Gaula', written by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. The novel features the exploits of Esplandián, the son of Amadis, and includes the mythic island of California, ruled by Queen Calafia. This work significantly influenced the Spanish exploration of the New World and the naming of the state of California.

*Amadís de Gaula* es una novela caballeresca que sigue las aventuras de Amadís, un caballero de gran valentía y moralidad, mientras navega por un mundo de desafíos y complejidades amorosas. La obra critica y eleva el código caballeresco, ofreciendo una mezcla de fantasía escapista y enseñanza moral que resonó profundamente con las audiencias contemporáneas. Su influencia se extendió por toda Europa, inspirando numerosas imitaciones y adaptaciones.