RODRIGO DÍAZ DE VIVAR, EL CID CAMPEADOR
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar was an important figure in the history of the Reconquista. He was also known as El Cid Campeador (Cid, from the Arabic, means "lord").
He was born in Burgos, in the Kingdom of Castilla, in about 1043. He became a military commander and fought for King Sancho II against the Muslims. He also helped Sancho to fight against his brother, King Alfonso VI of León. But then Sancho died and Alfonso became King of Castilla.
El Cid served King Alfonso VI until he was banished (le desterraron) from his kingdom in 1081. The tale of his exile and his exploits (hazañas) are told in "The Song of the Cid" (El Cantar de Mio Cid), a poetry book written after his death. This poem made him a national hero.
El Cid took control of Valencia in 1094 and he established an independent señoria.
His battle horse was called "Babieca". They had a horse for battles and another one for travelling, and would change horses quickly if they had to fight, so that their best one would not be tired from the journey.
He died in Valencia in 1099. Legend says that after El Cid died he was strapped (atado con cuerdas) into his horse and sent into battle against Muslims.
After his death, the city of Valencia resisted the Almoravid assault for two more years, under the rule of El Cid's widow, Jimena.
El Cid's sword "Tizona" can still be seen in Burgos Museum.
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| Statue of El Cid by González Quesada (1955) in Burgos. |
Here you have a web in Spanish with games, comics and much more staff about El Cid.
Here you've got an animated film about El Cid and a TV animated serie. Enjoy!!
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