EL CIDS SWORD DECLARED A FAKE

El Cid would never have believed it but his sword somehow got involved in the recent municipal elections. The sword, known as Tizona, was bought by the Castilla-Leon regional government and a group of Burgos businessmen for 1.6 million euros some time ago. Last week, the Culture Ministry announced that it was a fake. The ministry based its conclusion on reports by the National Heritage Department, the National Archaeological Museum and the Royal Academy History, all of which said the same thing: It wasn't El Cid's sword but could still be considered valuable because of its age and workmanship, and valued it at 250,000 euros. It was declared an Object of Cultural Interest by Royal Decree in 2002. Now the regional government, which is formed by the main opposition party, the Partido Popular, has accused the (Socialist) Culture Ministry of using the sword to sway voter intentions by highlighting the fact that it has chipped in with 600,000 euros to buy the sword. And if that wasn't enough an Asturian fisherman claims the sword was his, having been left it by the Marquis of Falces whose family have owned the sword since the 16th century. The fisherman said it was bequeathed to his family, who had served the marquis's family for generations. It is to be hoped all these problems are solved before the exhibition on "El Cid, del hombre a la leyenda (El Cid, from the man to the legend)" opens in Burgos Cathedral in September.