Leonese geography and heroic legends in the Estoria de España by Alfonso X

This article examines the characteristics and implications of the representation of the geographical space of the kingdom of Le & oacute;n in the Spanish epic-heroic tradition. The presence of geographical itineraries is assessed and compared with the legends. We propose a semantic approach to the main facets of Le & oacute;n's geography, as a seat of power, as a theater of war or as a milestone on the pilgrimage route to Santiago. Finally, we examine the role that the semantics of these legends, and especially their geography, may have played in their inclusion within Alfonso the Wise's Estoria de Espa & ntilde;a, as a complement and a correction of the predominantly Leoonese historiographic tradition in Latin.