In the world of Spanish Christendom, few figures are more shrouded in legend and mystery than Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, or El Cid. While modern observers would perceive the notion of a knight changing his loyalty as treasonous, El Cid is renowned for having done this very act. He served under three different rulers during his lifetime, one of them having been a Moorish king. A fierce warrior and an ambitious ruler, historians remember El Cid for his many accomplishments. Unfortunately, he was a reckless man and lost the trust of Alfonso VI, the kind under whom he served. Seeking employment, he travelled into the land of those who had once been his enemies, the Moors, and faithfully served their king, a Muslim named Motamid. During his service,
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While “the normal response of exiled Spanish knights” would typically be to immediately pledge allegiance “to the nearest Moorish court,” Rodrigo ambitiously set his course for the somewhat distant Kingdom of Barcelona (66). Much to his disappointment, he was “met with a cold and scornful reception,” as none of the members of the court were willing to accept a knight they considered a renegade. He took a bold step, and after leaving Barcelona, continued to the Muslim ruler of Saragossa, Moktadir. This ruler, because of the oncoming threat of the “neighboring kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon” and the need for a militia, accepted the offer of Rodrigo’s sword and men. Rodrigo’s new duty was to defend Saragossa “against encroaching neighbors,” no matter if the invaders were Muslim or Christian (Gilliam). Soon after, Moktadir passed away, leaving his army in the hands of his son Motamid. The new leader “ratified the agreement and honored Rodrigo by placing him in joint command of the army,” further cementing his position in the Moorish kingdom. The two performed feats such as alliancing with “most of the states of Catalonia, including Barcelona” where the king had refused Rodrigo’s request for allegiance. After the capture of Count Berenger, El Cid returned to Saragossa where he was “treated as a hero in exactly the same way as if he had been a Muslim” even though he was a Christian (66). As Matthews and state, El Cid “was not like other mercenaries; he made it clear that he required nothing for himself” but the honor of serving his
While “the normal response of exiled Spanish knights” would typically be to immediately pledge allegiance “to the nearest Moorish court,” Rodrigo ambitiously set his course for the somewhat distant Kingdom of Barcelona (66). Much to his disappointment, he was “met with a cold and scornful reception,” as none of the members of the court were willing to accept a knight they considered a renegade. He took a bold step, and after leaving Barcelona, continued to the Muslim ruler of Saragossa, Moktadir. This ruler, because of the oncoming threat of the “neighboring kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon” and the need for a militia, accepted the offer of Rodrigo’s sword and men. Rodrigo’s new duty was to defend Saragossa “against encroaching neighbors,” no matter if the invaders were Muslim or Christian (Gilliam). Soon after, Moktadir passed away, leaving his army in the hands of his son Motamid. The new leader “ratified the agreement and honored Rodrigo by placing him in joint command of the army,” further cementing his position in the Moorish kingdom. The two performed feats such as alliancing with “most of the states of Catalonia, including Barcelona” where the king had refused Rodrigo’s request for allegiance. After the capture of Count Berenger, El Cid returned to Saragossa where he was “treated as a hero in exactly the same way as if he had been a Muslim” even though he was a Christian (66). As Matthews and state, El Cid “was not like other mercenaries; he made it clear that he required nothing for himself” but the honor of serving his