Today, we drove through the town of Teruel... one of the first capital cities of Aragon. The town was initially settled by the Arabs... so when the Christian Aragon family finally managed to claim the territory, they found good infrastructure... good agriculture... and a community prosperous after 400 years of relative peace.
Today's story starts in medieval times... in the 13th century. Young Juan Diego de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura fell in love... a match made in heaven. But true love never runs smoothly ... that's what they say... and here is a case in point. Isabel's father wanted a good return for the big investment he made in raising the beautiful Isabel... and set a demanding dowry price. Juan did not choose his parents nearly as well. He looked at the dowry and 'gulped'... he ran to Isabel's father and said... "We love each other... give me 5 years to become wealthy so that I can pay you the dowry". "OK", said Dad, "that's a deal".
Juan disappeared for 5 years. Dad kept his word. But just to make sure, he did some preliminary negotiations with a couple of neighbouring wealthy families. At 5 years and one day, Dad said, "Time's up!" got on his horse, rode down the road to the highest bidder and said, "Marry the girl today... she's yours for the agreed dowry". Isabel was heart broken... but her father would not relent. She was married that afternoon (in the year of 1217).
Juan appeared the next day... happy that he had in his pocket the agreed dowry. "Isabel, we can be married!", he shouted. He couldn't understand when Isabel started crying. She explained that Juan was a day late and that she had been auctioned off to the highest bidder. Juan was mortified! He too broke down sobbing. "Just give me one kiss to make my life meaningful", he begged. "No", said Isabel, "I have been married... and I must remain true to my marriage vows".
This was too much for Juan... he fell to his knees... and died of a broken heart.
Isabel realised her priorities may have been a little mixed up. She lent over the dead body of her true love and gently kissed his still warm corpse... and then died of her own broken heart.
Dad appeared on the scene... figured out what had happened and said, "Perhaps true love is more important than money (or words to that effect)." He had the couple buried in a special crypt in the church at Teruel.
The final chapter in this touching story occurred in the 14th century, when the leading sculptor of his day, Juan de Ávalos captured the pure love of the couple in an alabaster carving. The couple lie with their heads titled endearingly towards each other. Their hands reach out to touch each other in their repose... but their hands do not quite meet.
Today, we read 'Mills and Boon' for our romantic fix... but who can beat the true romantics from the Renaissance era. Pure magic! I can see all my older male friends reaching for their handkerchiefs as they read this tale.
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