Exploring the Legacy of El Cid: A Spanish LegendGreat military leader Roderigo Diaz de Vivar devises a strategy to defend Valencia from the Muslims after his death as he lies dying.
In the summer of 1099, Valencia, Spain, was overcome with deep grief. They barely spoke to one another as they went through the streets with their heads down. The markets were devoid of the usual jovial conversation and hubbub. Men sat quietly sipping their tankards of beer or wine at the inns. The innkeepers, who were often brimming with amusing anecdotes and good humour, were glum and serious as they went about their duties.
All inquiries were constantly met with the same query: "Any news yet?" The response can be "No" or just a dejected head shake. The day that the answer to that question would be "Yes" was what Valencians dreaded the most. That would imply that Valencia's king El Cid, Roderigo Diaz de Vivar, had passed away.
El Cid was an elderly man who had been battling and campaigning for more than thirty years. El Cid had travelled great distances with his army during the sweltering Spanish summer. He had been hurt numerous times but always continued to battle with his soldiers, inspiring them. Today, the toll of those difficult years is evident. El Cid was near death. Even worse for the Valencians, their Muslim adversaries were eagerly awaiting his demise so they could launch their decisive assault and take control of Valencia.
The nickname "El Cid" that Roderigo Diaz had been given by the Muslims themselves. Its meaning is "Lord" in the Muslim language of Arabic. Roderigo's Christian army referred to him by another name: "Campeador," which meant "war victor." El Cid, according to both Muslims and Christians, was the best soldier in Spain. The forces commanded by El Cid had won battle after battle as the two factions fought for dominance of the nation, assisting the development of Christian power throughout northern Spain. El Cid had reigned over a sizable portion of eastern Spain's province of Valencia after 1094.
Because of El Cid's fame, Muslim troops used to shudder at the mention of his name. As long as El Cid was alive, their chiefs realised they could never defeat the Christians. The news that the Muslims were most anxious to hear eventually reached them early in 1099 as a result of their patience. El Cid was becoming sicker. Save for brief intervals, he was too frail to get out of bed. Jimena, his devoted and lovely wife, spent the majority of her time by his bedside. She feared that if she even briefly left him, he may pass away without her knowing, depriving her of the opportunity to bid him farewell.
When this was discovered, the Muslim camp was filled with jubilation. As soon as El Cid passed away, the Muslim army started to assemble, preparing to launch an assault.
El Cid was extremely angry and frustrated because he understood what was taking place.
What can I do? he asked himself. "My people rely on me, but I'm too unwell to look after them."
El Cid trembled as he realised what would occur after his death. It was simple to envisage the scene: fierce Muslims pouring through the streets, slaughtering men, women, and children, setting fire to homes, razing churches, and taking control of all the city's riches.
I must find a way to save my people. El Cid murmured.
El Cid lost strength day by day. He wrestled with the issue constantly. He finally came up with a plan when he was almost too sick to think straight anymore. When his commanders arrived, he gave them instructions before telling Jimena to summon them to his bedside.
El Cid then turned to face Jimena. He begged her, "When I die, do not cry for me." Jimena nodded while crying already. El Cid said, "No one must know I'm dead. Not right away, at least. The Muslims must, above all, not be aware of it. All of you, commit to following my instructions.
Jimena answered, "Sure, we will. Everything will be carried out as you request, my devoted husband.
El Cid grins. Valencia would be saved then, he added.
Soon after, El Cid passed away. Jimena gave him one final kiss before rising to her feet calmly despite looking pale and having red eyes.
The captains were informed by Jimena of their current obligations. She quickly left after that to give the command to Valencia's warriors to equip and get ready for battle.
Drums for the battle beat! Ordered by Jimena. El Cid is on his way to helping you achieve yet another magnificent triumph over the Muslims!
At first, the soldiers were perplexed. They had not anticipated this at all. Yet they concluded that El Cid must have recovered from his illness because he was only putting on his armour and his dependable sword, Tizona. The moment the soldiers saw El Cid's white horse, Bavieca, being led from its stable and saddled, they knew for sure that this was the case.
The Muslims in Valencia could hear the drums beating and the clanking of weapons and armour coming from inside the city. As the columns of El Cid's army proceeded towards the city gates, they were suddenly greeted by applauding masses that poured into the streets.
What is that? The Muslims sobbed, shocked and worried. "Have Christians lost their minds? They must be celebrating even though El Cid is likely dead by this point."
The Muslims hurried to be ready for the fight at once. The enormous gates of Valencia slowly opened just as they had finished donning their armour, grabbing their swords and spears, and forming up their battle lines. A lone rider rushed forward, brandishing a great white banner with a dazzling red cross emblazoned on it in one hand. He was holding a powerful sword in his other hand. He had hundreds of cavalries behind him and thousands of foot warriors.
Until he was visible to the Muslims, the lone horseman rode closer.
In a moment of panic, they cried, "It's El Cid!" El Cid is commanding his men to attack us.
Without a doubt, it was El Cid. Every Muslim in Spain recognised the commander who had repeatedly defeated them by his harsh countenance, unwavering soldierly stare, and tall, erect stature. And from behind him, it appeared as though there was a huge army. The Muslims believed there to be at least 70,000 men.
The Muslims could hear every man shouting, "Cid! Cid! Cid!" as the Christians sped up towards them. The Muslim warriors became alarmed at the use of this name. Their riders turned and started to gallop away as they started to flee. The Muslim army quickly became terrified and fled as quickly as they could with the Christians chasing behind them.
Finally, when the captains of El Cid were satisfied that the Muslims would not return, they gave the order for his soldiers to go back to Valencia. As they entered the city, the fans erupted in jubilant cheers as they marched back while singing and shouting.
Nobody noticed that one of the captains had stayed back, still clinging to Bavieca, El Cid's horse, while he was bridled.
The captain muttered, staring at the rigid, immobile figure sitting upright in Bavieca's saddle, "This last triumph is your greatest victory, my Lord Cid."
No one, Christian or Muslim, had seen that El Cid was securely strapped into the saddle to prevent him from falling off during all the excitement. Under the sleeves of his chain mail tunic, there were shafts of wood supporting the arms holding the sword and the flag. El Cid had instructed his captains to put him in his armour and ride on Bavieca so that even after he passed away, he could still command his army into battle. El Cid used this method to inspire his troops and give the Muslims hope. He was a brilliant success.
The captain forced Bavieca's horse to turn around by pulling on the bridle. He then took Bavieca away from Valencia while a dead Cid was lying on its back. He was travelling inland towards Burgos in the Kingdom of Castile. El Cid was born there, and he wished to be buried there per his wishes.
