The+Baron+of+Esriche

Baron of Escriche
__Ellen Stadelman__ This little village in the province of Teruel was once home to Baron Escriche who won his title after beating a legendary beast in battle. The beast had been terrorising the inhabitants of the region and had vanquished all the bravest knights. The beast was beaten by means of a simple mirror and a sword. When the beast approached, the first thing the Baron did was place the mirror infront of its face. On seeing its terrible reflection the beast gawped open-mouthed at its own ugliness, wherupon the brave Baron plunged his sword into the beast’s mouth, its only vulnerable spot, a spot which nobody had managed to penetrate before. And so the beast was vanquished and people once more came to live in the area. The King, grateful for this brave feat, gave the Baron all the lands that he was able to visit in one day. Thus did the Escriche Barony come into being. His feat gave rise to the following jota (Aragonese song): //"Nobody fears the beast,// //the beast is dead and gone// >>  //as quick as turning a corner,//  //the brave deed was done."//