The Legend of California

[deckardcanine]

Las Sergas de Esplandián
Dates back at least to 1510.
This Amadís de Gaula sequel
Seemingly was more than equal
In its popularity,
At least in Spain from what I see.
Chivalric romance then was big.
Today, we hardly give a fig,
Except that Don Quixote named
A bunch of titles to be shamed,
Including this. Regardless, now
The novel’s left its mark as how
A certain place name came to be:
Hernán Cortés had yet to see
But heard of an alleged isle
(A flub that stayed a little while)
Approximately where the book
Had mentioned one, and thus he took
The cue to call the land the same,
Explaining California’s name.