El Cid
Castilian knight who ruled Valencia and became a national icon.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (c. 1043 – 10 July 1099) was a Castilian knight and ruler in medieval Spain. Fighting with both Christian and Muslim armies during his lifetime, he earned the Arabic honorific as-Sayyid, which evolved into El Cid, and the Spanish honorific El Campeador. He reclaimed the Taifa of Valencia from Moorish control for a brief period, ruling the Principality of Valencia from 17 June 1094 until his death in 1099.
- born
- c. 1043, Vivar, near Burgos
- died
- 10 July 1099
- field
- Military leader, ruler
- nationality
- Castilian
- known_for
- El Cid Campeador, conquest of Valencia, national hero of Spain
Lore & Background
El Cid was born in Vivar, a village near Burgos. He served King Sancho II of Castile and León as commander and royal standard-bearer, leading campaigns against Sancho's brothers and Muslim kingdoms. After Sancho's murder in 1072, he served Alfonso VI but was exiled in 1081. He then fought for the Muslim rulers of Zaragoza, defeating Christian and Muslim enemies alike. In 1086, after a severe defeat of Castile by Almoravids, Alfonso recalled him. El Cid gradually increased control over Valencia, making its Islamic ruler his tributary in 1092. After an Almoravid-instigated uprising killed that ruler, El Cid besieged and took Valencia in 1094, establishing an independent principality. He ruled with support of both Christians and Muslims until his death in 1099. His wife Jimena Díaz inherited the city but surrendered it to the Almoravids in 1102.
Reader's Guide
El Cid became Spain's most celebrated national hero and the protagonist of the medieval epic poem El Cantar de mio Cid, which presents him as the ideal medieval knight. His life and deeds are remembered in popular culture. He is a popular Spanish folk hero and national icon. His honorifics—El Cid (from Arabic as-Sayyid, 'the Lord') and El Campeador ('the Champion')—reflect his dual service to Christian and Muslim rulers. The combination Cid Campeador is documented from 1195. He was the grandfather of García Ramírez de Pamplona, King of Navarre, through his daughter Cristina Rodríguez. His only son and heir, Diego Rodríguez, died fighting Almoravids in 1097. El Cid inflicted the Almoravids' first major defeat in 1094 on the plains of Caurte outside Valencia.
Did You Know?
- El Cid's Arabic honorific as-Sayyid means 'the Lord' or 'the Master'.
- He ruled the Principality of Valencia from 17 June 1094 until his death in 1099.
- His wife Jimena Díaz succeeded him as ruler of Valencia until 1102.
- He was the grandfather of García Ramírez de Pamplona, King of Navarre.
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"Ipse Rodericus, Meo cidi saepe vocatus,De quo cantatur quod ab hostibus haud superatur,Qui domuit Mauros, comites domuit quoque nostros." — El Cid "Rodrigo himself, often called Mio Cid,Of whom it is sung that he was not defeated by enemies,Who dominated Moors, also dominated our counts." — El Cid "He asked nothing but justice of Heaven, and of man he asked only a fair field." — El Cid
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