El Cid

c. 1043 – 10 July 1099

Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, known as El Cid, was a Castilian knight and military commander in medieval Spain. Exiled by King Alfonso VI, he served both Christian and Muslim rulers before conquering the city of Valencia, which he ruled until his death. He became the national hero of Castile and the subject of the epic poem Cantar de mio Cid.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with El Cid.

Life events

Born in Vivar, near Burgos
c. 1043

Rodrigo Diaz was born around 1043 into the minor Castilian nobility in the village of Vivar.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Entered the service of Sancho II of Castile
c. 1065

Rodrigo was raised at court and became standard-bearer and commander of the royal troops for King Sancho II.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Jimena Diaz
c. 1074

Rodrigo married Jimena, a noblewoman related to the royal house of Asturias-Leon, around 1074.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Exiled from Castile by Alfonso VI
1081

After falling out of royal favour, Rodrigo was banished from Castile in 1081, beginning his career as an independent warlord.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served the Muslim rulers of Zaragoza
1081 – c. 1086

During his exile El Cid commanded armies for the Hudid emirs of Zaragoza, winning victories over both Christian and Muslim opponents.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Conquered the city of Valencia
June 1094

After a long siege, El Cid took Valencia in June 1094 and ruled it as its de facto prince.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Defeated the Almoravids at the Battle of Cuarte
October 1094

El Cid routed an Almoravid army besieging Valencia, one of the first major Christian victories over the Almoravids in Spain.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Valencia
10 July 1099

El Cid died in Valencia on 10 July 1099; his wife Jimena held the city until 1102, when it was abandoned to the Almoravids.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓