DARK AGE STORY OF EL CID

DURING THE DARK AGE 
STORY OF THE EL CID

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EL CID

El Cid was brought up in the court of King Fernand I and he lived in the household of the King's eldest son, who was to be the future Sancho II.  In 1065 Fernand I died.  He divided his kingdom among his three sons, Sancho, Alfonso and Garcia, and his two daughters, Elvira and Urraca.  (Unlike today, Spain was not one kingdom, but ruled by many kings including some Arabics.  The kingdom that Fernand left his children was only a portion of modern day Spain.) Fernand had hoped that his children would be happy with their lands.  Sancho being the eldest thought that he should have inherited all of his father's lands.  Sancho first needed to do battle with the Kingdom of Aragon which was not under control of any of his family. El Cid proved to be such a help in defeating the Kingdom of Aragon that he was named Commander of the Royal Armies.  At this time he was only about 23 years old. .. About 1070 Sancho began his war against his brothers and sisters.  He first waged war against his brothers in Leon and Galicia.  Both victories were accomplished with the great assistance of El Cid who turned almost certain defeats into victories.  Sancho exiled his brothers to the city of Toledo.  Sancho then took the city of Toro which was the domain of his sister, Elvira.  He then began a battle with his sister Urraca and her city of Zamora in 1072.  However Sancho was killed by one of Urraca's soldiers right at the city gates.  Upon hearing of his brother's death, Alfonso rushed to Zamora to claim his brother's lands and most importantly the throne.  He became Alfonso VI El Cid became concerned for his life.  He had after all helped Sancho wage war against Alfonso who was now the King.  But El Cid had a couple of things in his favor.  One he was a very good soldier.  Alfonso knew that he would need a leader like El Cid.  Also the people in Castile were not happy that they were being led by a king from Leon.  El Cid was from Castile and was liked by the people. Although the Alfonso removed El Cid as Commander of the Royal Armies, in 1074 he married El Cid to his niece, Jimena.  El Cid was now related to Alfonso.   Alfonso did not really like El Cid.  He was afraid that El Cid might attempt to take the throne.  Alfonso sent El Cid to the king of Seville to collect money.  When El Cid returned he accused El Cid of keeping some of the money.  He banished El Cid from his kingdom and from then on El Cid was not able to live safely in any area ruled by Alfonso. El Cid now needed not only money, but also protection of a king.  He offered his services to the Ruler of Saragossa in northeastern Spain.  The Ruler of Saragossa was the arabic leader, al-Mu'tamin.   Unlike Alfonso, al-Mu'tamin was quite happy to have such as successful soldier as El Cid.  El Cid served al-Mu'tamin and his successor, al-Musta'in for nearly 10 years.

He was born Rodrigo (or Ruy) Díaz de Vivar.  Vivar being the town where he was born.  It is near Burgos.  He was born either in 1040 or 1043. Historians are not sure of the date.  He died in Valencia in 1099.    His name, "El Cid" was given to him by the Moors.  In the mixture of the Spanish and Arabic language they used, they called him "As-Sid" (Lord or Chief).  This was pronounced by the Spaniards as "El Cid", but they themselves actually called him "Campeador" (Champion)