El Cid

Article abstract: El Cid, through military skill and leadership, halted the Almoravide advance on the peninsula, and by exemplifying his times’ ideals of courage, loyalty, and force of will became the national hero of his people.

Early Life

Rodrigo (Ruy) Díaz was born in Vivar, a small village to the north of Burgos in old Castile. Although not of the higher nobility, his family had long held a respected position in the history of the province and at the Castilian-Leonese court. Rodrigo himself was educated in the household of Prince Sancho, heir to...

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