Historical-critical discourse on the "Incomplete and probably apocryphal Ballad of the Holy Illuminated Body" from La saga/fuga de J. B.

Abstract

Chapter I of La saga/fuga de J. B. is preceded by a “Balada incompleta y probablemente apócrifa del Santo Cuerpo Iluminado”, where the inventio of the relics of Saint Lilaila of Ephesus, patron saint of Castroforte del Baralla, is recreated. This parodic composition reveals Gonzalo Torrente Ballester’s fine knowledge of cultural and literary traditions of medieval origin. This article tries to point out and gloss them. To achieve this goal, the author’s personal library is an invaluable guide.