La representación del enemigo: la violencia ejercida por los caballeros villanos contra los musulmanes en la Crónica de la población de Ávila

Abstract

The study of the Crónica de la población de Ávila, written in the mid-thirteenth century, accounts for the violence exerted by the caballeros villanos against the Muslims. In the narrative, the Muslim troops constitute a threat to the communities settled in the area. Presenting themselves then as guardians of the frontier and guarantors of security, council horsemen are justified in their actions against the enemies of the kingdom and the Church. Thanks to these forays, they acquire certain authority and prestige, in addition to the actions of robbery that guarantee them the acquisition of wealth.