Count Alarcos; a Tragedy by Earl of Beaconsfield Benjamin Using his knowledge of politics he crafted this drama about a young count and heir to the kingdom of Castille. Taking place in the middle ages the story takes inspiration from Castillian architecture and the mysteries of its history.
"As there is no historical authority for the events of the celebrated Ballad on which this Tragedy is founded I have fixed upon the thirteenth century for the period of their occurrence. At that time the kingdom of Castille had recently obtained that supremacy in Spain which led in a subsequent age to the political integrity of the country. Burgos its capital was a magnificent city; and then also arose that masterpiece of Christian architecture its famous Cathedral.
This state of comparative refinement and civilisation permitted the introduction of more complicated motives than the rude manners of the Ballad would have authorised; while the picturesque features of the Castillian middle ages still flourished in full force; the factions of a powerful nobility renowned for their turbulence strong passions enormous crimes profound superstition."