El Cid
Spain's medieval warrior
El Cid is the title given to Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, an eleventh-century Castilian military commander whose exploits during the wars between Christian and Moorish kingdoms in Spain made him a legendary figure.
The title comes from Arabic for "the lord" or "the master." His story has been retold in epic poetry, literature, and film, where he appears as the archetypal Spanish hero.
Iberian Christian territorial recovery
- ValenciaEastern Spanish coastal city
- BurgosNorthern Spanish province capital
- 11th centurySecond millennium's first hundred years
- CastileCentral Spanish historical region
Iberian Peninsula · medieval Spain · exile · taifa kingdoms · chronicles · primary sources · historiography · tribute
High regard, moral dignity
- valorCourage in danger
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- knighthoodHonorary title of nobility
nobility · vassal · allegiance · lordship · virtue · gallantry · code · courtesy
Armed military engagement
- swordHilted fighting blade
- armorProtective combat covering
- cavalryMounted military force
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
tactics · mercenary · lance · combat · campaign · fortress · conquest · duel
Narrative poem or song
- romanceLove and its excitement
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
- talesSpoken or written narratives
- heroOne admired for courage
champion · myth · folklore · Spanish literature · epic poetry · troubadour · minstrel · verses
Reconquista
Iberian Christian territorial recovery
- ValenciaEastern Spanish coastal city
- BurgosNorthern Spanish province capital
- 11th centurySecond millennium's first hundred years
Castile · Iberian Peninsula · medieval Spain · exile · taifa kingdoms · chronicles · primary sources · historiography · tribute
honor
High regard, moral dignity
knighthood · nobility · vassal · allegiance · lordship · virtue · gallantry · code · courtesy · protector
battle
Armed military engagement
siege · tactics · mercenary · lance · combat · campaign · fortress · conquest · duel · shield
ballad
Narrative poem or song
hero · champion · myth · folklore · Spanish literature · epic poetry · troubadour · minstrel · verses · oral tradition
- Medieval Spanish LiteratureAlfonso X, romances, auto sacramental
- Reconquista LeadersIsabella I, Alfonso X
- Spanish Cultureflamenco, paella, Goya, tapas, bullfighting
- Legendary HeroesHercules, Beowulf, Achilles, Gilgamesh, Sigurd
- medieval knightsknight, knights, armor, sword, swords
- Iberian HistorySpain, Portugal, Iberia, Castile, Aragon