Pesquisa sobre el conde de Leste

Abstract

This article deals with the interpretation of the paragraph that opens La española inglesa which refers to the sacking of Cadiz in 1596. The criticism that has studied the date of composition and action of the short story has refused to accept this historical reference as terminus a quo to determine the date of composition. The reason has been that Cervantes mentions the Commander of the English troops as “conde de Leste”. Criticism has assumed that Cervantes confused not only the name of the commander but also the different expeditions against the city. A close reading of the historical documentation reveals that Leste, name for Essex at that time, follows the ancient use of translating foreign names into Castilian. Leste is the translation of Essex, which means exactly “East Saxons”.