El Cid
1040–1099
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Cid rose to fame during a very complicated period in Spanish history. Just about the time he was born, the Moorish chieftain Almanzor died, and his Moslem empire broke into dozens of feuding city-states. Likewise, the Christian kingdoms in the north were frequently engaged in civil wars. Ferdinand I of Castile did much to unify the Christians and gain territory from the Moors, but on his death he divided his kingdom among his five children. El Cid began his career serving Ferdinand I, and later Sancho the eldest of his sons. Although El Cid counseled against war, Sancho tried to regain his father's kingdom at the expense of his siblings, and was killed as a result. El Cid then served Alfonso VI, a younger brother. The jealousies and distrust among courtiers which occurred as a result of these civil wars does much to explain El Cid's unfortunate relationship with Alfonso. Although El Cid swore loyalty to him, Alfonso feared and distruted El Cid and treated him badly.
To make matters more complex still, the Moors were just as divided as the Christians, and in addition to the Spanish Moors, ambitious African Moorish chieftains were involved in the mix. During El Cid's long exile from Castile he served Moorish kings as well as Christian ones, and his private army contained warriors both Moors and Christians.
The legend of El Cid, which unfolds during these troublous times, tells stories of his persistant heroism and forbearance. He counsels against war, but fights bravely for his king. He fights champions in single combat to restore his family's honor. When King Alfonso betrays him, he does not return the slight and endures five years of exile with courage and humility. He wins the respect of the Moors as well as the Christians, and conquers the Moorish city of Valencia. As conqueror of Valencia he might have declared himself a king, but instead maintained his loyalty to Alfonso. He might have treated his conquered subjects with cruelty, but instead won their trust. He might have strayed from his wife, but was a faithful husband as well as a loyal subject. The Song of Cid is not just the story of a warrior, but that of an ideal hero of chivalry.
Key events during the life of El Cid:
| Birth of Rodrigo to a Castilian noble family. | |
| Serves as a knight under Ferdinand I of Castile. | |
| Serves Ferdinand's son Sancho of Castile after the death of Ferdinand I. | |
| Slays the champion of Navarre in single combat. | |
| Sancho killed during the siege of Zamora. | |
| Married to Ximena | |
| Siege of Seville. | |
| Cid is banished from Castile due to jealousy of king courtiers. | |
| Cid is a soldier of fortune, fighting for and against Moslem kingdoms. | |
| Moslem kingdom of Toledo falls to Alfonso VI. | |
| Conquers the Moorish city of Valencia. | |
| Dies during a battle against the Almoravids. |
| Book Links |
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Other Resources
| The Cid Campaedor in | A Child's History of Spain by John Bonner |
| The Cid Wins his Name in | Old Time Tales by Lawton B. Evans |
| The Cid in | Famous Men of the Middle Ages by John H. Haaren |
| Rise of the Christian Kingdoms in | Story of the Greatest Nations: Spain by Charles F. Horne |
| Cid in | Heroes Every Child Should Know by H. W. Mabie |
| Ruy Diaz, the Cid Campeador in | Historical Tales: Spanish by Charles Morris |
| Decline of the Moors in | Spain: A History for Young Readers by Frederick A. Ober |
| Spanish Hero in | The Discovery of New Worlds by M. B. Synge |
| Cid Captures Valencia in | European Hero Stories by Eva March Tappan |
Image Links | ||
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El Cid. in The Story of the Cid For Young People |
 She greeted him cordially in The Story of the Cid For Young People |
 The Cid overcame this knight in The Story of the Cid For Young People |
 The Cid waited for Martin and took him by the hand in The Story of the Cid For Young People |
 He took him by the mane and led him back to the court in The Story of the Cid For Young People |
 And Muno turned to Suero as he lay on the ground, and lifted his spear against him in The Story of the Cid For Young People |
| Ferdinand I of Castile | King who unified many of the Christian kingdoms, but split them upon his death. |
| Sancho of Castile | Eldest son of Ferdiand I, who claimed his entire kingdom. |
| Alfonso VI | King of Castile, who with his great warrior El Cid, reconquered Toledo from the Moors. |
| Ximena | Beloved wife of El Cid and mother of his two daughters. |
| Guido of Arezzo | Italian monk credited with inventing modern musical notation and techniques for memorizing tunes such as "do-re-mi" mnemonics. |