Competing Images Of Pedro I: López De Ayala And The Formation Of Historical Memory

This article explores how Pero López de Ayala crafted the historical memory of Pedro I. By depicting him as a cruel tyrant, Ayala justified his deposition and murder at the hands of his half-brother, Enrique II, and he shaped the way that Pedro would be remembered by future generations. In the years following Pedro's death, numerous authors composed narratives that promoted competing images of the deposed king. These narratives were influenced by the continuing conflict between Pedro's descendants and Enrique's new dynasty, and they frequently supported specific political positions. By examining Ayala's depiction of four key moments from Pedro's reign against those of his contemporaries, this article places his narrative within its larger historical and literary context, highlights some of the ways that political concerns shaped his account, and also provides insight into how he was able to successfully promote his image of the former king.