oral traditions and literary adaptations by cultured poets. The opening of the collection delves into the role of popular romance during its formative years, emphasizing how oral storytelling began to take on literary forms in Portugal, particularly through adaptations by poets influenced by Spanish traditions. It discusses the historical context of romance writing and its connection to the broader European literary movements of its time. The text highlights notable figures and movements that informed this evolution, illustrating the deeply rooted connections between Portugal and Spain in terms of narrative traditions and cultural identity. As such, the beginning sets a scholarly tone while also hinting at the rich tapestry of tales and characters that readers can expect to encounter throughout the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)