El Cid: The Knight who Saved Spain - full documentary

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/realcrusadeshistory01231
Who was El Cid? Many know him as Spain’s most iconic hero. But beneath the legend we discover the true El Cid of history - Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar - a knight born in Castile in the mid-eleventh century. He began as the right hand man to King Sancho of Castile: the King’s greatest general who won victory after victory. But after his king died amid suspicious circumstances, El Cid was banished from the kingdom of his fathers, and became a mercenary captain in service to the Emir of Zaragoza. Eventually, El Cid would strike out on his own, and become a conqueror in his own right. Ultimately, El Cid would battle one of the most powerful forces of the period - the Almoravid Empire. But what motivated the Cid?
Watch our video on Fernando III and the conquest of Córdoba:
• Saint Fernando: Histor...
Get my book about the Crusades:
www.amazon.com/Why-Does-Heathe...
Support my work on Patreon:
/ realcrusadeshistory
Written, edited and narrated by J Stephen Roberts
Historia Roderici voice actor: Carl Hughes
Maps and animations by Denys Rodionov, Dan Stan, and Dacio Gutierrez
Thumbnail by Kip Ayers
Game footage: Attila Total War: Age of Charlemagne and Medieval Kingdoms 1212
Sources:
-Clissold, Stephen - In Search of the Cid, (Hodder and Stoughton, 1965)
-Collins, Roger - Caliphs and Kings: Spain, 796-1031, (Wiley Blackwell, 2014)
-Fletcher, Richard - The Quest for El Cid, (Oxford University, 1991)
-Melville, Charles; Ubaydli, Ahmad - Christians and Moors in Spain: Vol. 3 (Arabic Sources), (Liverpool University, 1992)
-O’Callaghan, Joseph - A History of Medieval Spain, (Cornell, 1975)
-Reilly, Bernard F. - The Contest of Christian and Muslim Spain, 1031-1157, (Blackwell, 1995)
-Reilly, Bernard F. - The Kingdom of León-Castilla under King Alfonso VI, 1065-1109, (Princeton, 1989)
-World of El Cid: Chronicles of the Spanish Reconquest, trans. Simon Barton and Richard Fletcher, (Manchester, 2000)
#ElCid #Spain #Knight

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Watch our video on Fernando III and the conquest of Córdoba: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHTIfmtne7t4oqM Get my book about the Crusades: www.amazon.com/Why-Does-Heathen-Rage-Crusades/dp/152395762X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461105827&sr=8-1&keywords=why+does+the+heathen+rage

[@lookman-2844]

awho was Godhaut de Belleme (1005 - 1036) Count of CORdoba

[@Guafarina]

This period of Spanish history has got to be one of the most interesting in Western Europe. The politics of the Christian and Muslim kingdoms is fascinating. This was real world game of thrones.

[@M00NWITCH]

As a Puertorrican, The book Poemas del Mio Cid was one of the books that I read in high school. It sparked so many deep philosophical conversations with the teacher. Thank you for reminding me those fond memories!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

That's great, thanks for the comment!

[@dipanjanbhattacharya3131]

These ten feet collosal men,are rare species and a class by themselves.

[@scottprendergast5262]

Moonwitch- listen up-What does you being a puerto rican have to do with anything-?! since you're on the subject- he's related to Puerto Rico in only a small way and THATS in language only- people and their race BS

[@Parad0xial]

I would have never have known about this guy if it weren't for Age of Empires II.

[@donnieboughton1730]

Guess you didn't pay attention in school... or had a poor education???

[@oddiethefox5832]

​​@@donnieboughton1730tf are you talking about? El Cid is not a taught subject. Important for Spanish history, yes. But not general historical knowledge... His history is confined to the Iberian peninsula, most other countries wouldn't teach a class about him unless you're specifically taking a Spanish history class.

[@donnieboughton1730]

@@oddiethefox5832 well I'm American and learned about hime in general world history... guess I was just lucky...

[@donnieboughton1730]

@@oddiethefox5832 I'm also probably at least twice your age and schools used to actually educate instead train to pass tests.

[@anjishnuroy2734]

I still remember that campaign to this day

[@puma51921]

I have visited Spain and loved it. My favorite trip. When you travel you feel like you can still see El Cid and the Roman's. There are castles, buildings and bridges from what seems the beginning of time. The people are friendly and sincere.

[@semperdolens]

Maybe 40 years ago

[@deltabravo1969]

Castile was named for the many castles in the region.

[@bolapromatoqueejogodecampe8718]

Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar: greatest knight in history! Honorable, unbeatable in single combat, undefeatable as a commander.

[@kamillgran9408]

And looked just like Charlton Heston!

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@kamillgran9408 😂

[@gerardosalazar161]

@@kamillgran9408 That was only a movie, a nice one, but a movie. El Cid was bigger than life and bigger than any Hollywood production.

[@kamillgran9408]

@@gerardosalazar161 that was a just a little joke!

[@neinundnein6358]

@@kamillgran9408 I think he was much more sexy than your Hollywood actor 😄

[@grimslyfox]

El Cid, from the Arabic 'al-sid', roughly 'the lord' or 'the master'. The man was a legend during his own lifetime, which is something not many can say. Very well put together production here, great narration, great animation, great content. Thanks for your hard work, and I hope this gets 500k likes or something, it's really good.

[@stefanvella9807]

Exactly, i always asked myself why they call him El Cid and not El Sid.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks I appreciate that!

[@marcelbeck6865]

just a small detail. It seems to me that you make a mistake in using the expression "Al Sidi".( not Sid , Cid is the the adaptation to Castillian) "Al" in Arabic is a definite article that precedes the nickname or name. Indeed "Al Sidi" literally means "THE Lord" (Not God). for which reason it only corresponds as a Treatment to a great lord such as a King. So not only is it linguistically incorrect. it was politically inappropriate, the treatment of lords of lower rank to a King, even a prince, like Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, only Sidi is what corresponded without the article "Al".

[@asturias8386]

Great warrior and leader but mercenary to the limit, he befriended Christians, Moors ...if there was a profit he'd fight for it.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

@@asturias8386 False.

[@tremainetreerat5176]

Growing up in Valencia, ES every child learns about El Cid Campeador as the most heroic Castilian knight.

[@adamnesico]

Don’t they learn about emir Mardanish? Was a quite cool character, and was birned in Peñiscola.

[@ivanmarkoski682]

@@adamnesico no need to learn about heretics

[@angelmacas1774]

The loyalty of The Cid is amazing. Other times.

[@nachos2810]

The Virgin of the Pilar in Zaragoza promised in the first century that " there will be always Faith in this lands" and then the Sacred Hearth of Jesús promised in Valladolid: " I'll reing in Spain and with more devotion than in other places". Viva el Cid!!

[@Immigrantlovesamerica]

And now Spanish men are emasculated and Spanish women think they’re men.

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

YES FINALLY MY FAVORITE KZbinR OF THE RECONQUISTA AND CRUSADES HAS FINALLY REVIEWED THE LIFE OF EL CID!!!!

[@EPHZAM]

Yo amo la Espana. El Cid was unbeatable... Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, Rodrigo of Vivar respected and feared by friends and foes alike. 💯

[@rmp7400]

My first awareness of El Cid was through French literature. Even today, the drama of El Cid is considered the most beautiful (even if stylistically controversial) ever written in the French language! However... as a young American in Paris, I did not realize that the story of El Cid was NOT a fantasy romance - until years later!! Quite real history. Very amazingly miraculous.

[@santiagogarcia6768]

it was written in Spanish

[@rmp7400]

@Santiago Garcia YES, the historical legend was FIRST written in Spanish, because of being Spanish Catholic history. However... (you should know the French... they adapt any wonderful thing...) And indeed, Corneille gets Honors (up to this very day) for writing "the most beautiful work" of French literature: " BEAU, COMME LE CID"!!! Ps: San Luis Rey was 1/2 French and 1/2 Spanish... and future legend insists that His descendant will reign as a holy King Henri removing all heresy from France .... so the story of the Cid is not even yet done!!!!)

[@The7nUp]

Not a french poem by any stretch...Spaniards wrote it.

[@DOSBoxMom]

My husband is a beta tester for Field of Glory: Kingdoms, and one of the scenarios included in the beta is an El Cid scenario. As a Spanish major in college, probably the first book in Spanish I bought that wasn't a textbook was a copy of the "Poema de Mio Cid" (with the original Old Castillian and modern Spanish versions on facing pages), so I have long been fascinated by the story of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar. Love the 1960s film with Charlton Heston in the title role, too. (It seemed to follow some of the later French versions of his life, but did a great job of capturing what medieval Spain probably looked like.)

[@adibaonuma3462]

Charleton was a such a good actor. He made me more fascinated about El Cid.

[@reneaguilar3471]

Charlton is the best El Cid after El Cid 😅

[@lookman-2844]

Spain and south AMerica is converting to IslaM , SO PEEEEEEEEOPLE COULD DISCOVER THEI ANCESTORS.

[@scottprendergast5262]

Woweee-! That's really.impressive!

[@KomradeCPU]

I knew the story somewhat, but your narration and historical quotes and sequence of events is something else; what an admirable sequence of events that would make even the most talented writer jealous; of it's intricacy and ingenuity. Viva El Cid campeador!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks so much I appreciate that! My goal was to get at every aspect of the Cid's life and career. Glad it worked for you.

[@reneaguilar3471]

I read parts of El Mío Cid when I was in elementary school in Mexico 🇲🇽. It’s called Juglar del Mío Cid or poem or song of El Cid . I did not understand anything at the time.Over the years I read it again in old Spanish and saw the movie with Charlton Heston I almost cried when I was a teen and saw the end of the movie when they strapped the dead body of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar El Cid to his horse to rally his troops into battle .

[@celestebredin6213]

Toledo ! What a glorious city . An eagles eyrie ! The story of El Cid breathes life there.

[@jonwalts2763]

I recommend visiting Burgos, there are many references to him in the city.

[@Warmaker01]

The history of this guy is something that resonates with every Mount & Blade player.

[@JOKERTVgr]

I love the film with Charlton Heston. It depicts El Cid as a man with very strong morality. But the truth is that the real story is much more fascinating. He was a true warrior and a leader and one of the few generals in history that never lost a battle.

[@mizermaffy]

Viva El Cid!

[@ChrisRF1981]

Best documental I have ever seen about El Cid's life so far. Wonderful 👏

[@xmaniac99]

Had his horse buried with honours, the horse’s grave is named and can be visited today!

[@afrobian1]

where?

[@xmaniac99]

@@afrobian1 Babieca (the name of El Cid's horse) is burried at the monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña

[@afrobian1]

@@xmaniac99 thank you. I have to visit that region again

[@lookman-2844]

El CId aaand his followrs were thieves taking gold from the Arabs . THe Umayyads had higher moral values.under the guidance of Calif Umar muslims astarted the first Welfare State and built publicSolomans Mines, Indiana Jones, In CRistianity theft is a moral virtue in nineteenth century

[@Layon_King]

His loyalty and bravery reminds me of King David.

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

As a fantasy writer, ive been recently writing this fantasy book which is a huge Dark Crystal inspiration along with all of my favorite fantasies. My world is known to have allot of original kingdoms and historical inspired kingdoms, one of them is a kingdom inspired behind the world of Medieval Spain and Portugal along with other Spanish countries. Allot of the characters, places, and so much more in this kingdom are insanely made and appealing, im just proud that i was able to create something like this.

[@deniseeulert2503]

When I was a child I read stories from the school literature books that my mother had in her childhood, circa late 30's, early 40's. This was in Kansas. In one there was the legend of El Cid. But I forgot it until I saw the movie. At the end, when he's propped up on his horse, I recalled the tale because that had been in the book.

[@jayvee-xe7vz]

Gracias El cid for recovery of Christianity. desde 🇵🇭 dios te Bendiga

[@custerfriesen652]

I first got to know about El Cid while playing Age of Empires II and I got to love that man so much that I made a sculpture of him for my Art Project in High School. Thank you so much for making this Video, it means so much to me that there are folks who want to keep History alive. Cheers to you all!❤🎉

[@GermLoc]

Your Docs are a real godsend at times, just so ya know....CRAZY as the world is....usually can't get myself centered very easily unless I can chill out with one of these. Thanks! (commented in the chat as well although I was some time late and you were most likely gone so I'm gonna leave it here as well)

[@MrSh4des]

Same sick and sleepless this is great to listen to

[@gilbertmorales4456]

It's cool to remember that Spain has it's own famous knight..typically the Spanish are villified in most media for some reason..idk if im the only one who has noticed that..its always the english etc who are the good guys lol

[@vgrg7841]

I love Spain! Vivia El Cid too!

[@rhzyo]

I remember watching Ruy grow up like it was just yesterday. El Cid is a pretty good tv series def worth a watch waiting for season 3

[@peterkentbanner8074]

El Cid Campeador.

[@antoniolupen6138]

Woooow what a fabulous christian warrior. Live forever mighty Cid; Don Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar !!

[@brianmccarthy5557]

Interesting that there are still many who can trace their descent from him. Long may his memory live!

[@diegoapalategui579]

I am one of them

[@carmelmichele2118]

This is great. My family line can be traced all the way back to El Cid through his daughter Cristina Diaz Rodriguez (mother-Doña Ximena Diaz)

[@adrianjezierski8093]

Hey want to become my wife so I can get into the family

[@carmelmichele2118]

@@adrianjezierski8093 Silly peasant boy

[@salvadormartin4203]

@@adrianjezierski8093first you must drive out the last remaining Muslims from Spain…that is your task for her hand in marriage.

[@adrianjezierski8093]

@@salvadormartin4203 Ok, I'll offer them free villas in eastern europe because prince of the wood elf potato king Byoknik needs someone to take care of them. Sounds like a scam? Well, kings weren't the most sincere of people

[@diegoapalategui579]

HIs grandaughter married the King of Pamplona i can track him to be my ancestor from that line.

[@osvaldobenavides5086]

This has been by far the best El Cid video I have seen on KZbin. Congrats!, you have a new subscriber.

[@joesanchez979]

Excellent history lesson 👍

[@bernardinocabero9921]

An informative video of history a one to ten star rate I will rate it Ten star👍

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thank you very much my friend.

[@otracuentaperra4290]

Anyone that pushes back on the greatest world power of the time and gets them to call him El Cid (The Lord) has to be the greatest knight in history............

[@adamnesico]

Not greatest world power.

[@otracuentaperra4290]

@@adamnesico OH but regardless of prejudice and lack of historical vision the moors were the greatest world power of the time. They might not be much now but then they were.

[@adamnesico]

@@otracuentaperra4290 NO The caliphate had divided in a bunch of warring dinasties. Moors power wasn’t comparable to the chinese or the steppe nomads. The next moor dinasty wasn’t even able of properly siege a city.

[@otracuentaperra4290]

@@adamnesico It is nobody's fault that El Cid's glory hurts you for some reason . Nevertheless he did vanquish the most powerful military entities of the era.

[@adamnesico]

@@otracuentaperra4290 it doesn’t hurts me, as spanish, makes me proud to have had such a legendary warrior. But he was lucky to not meet the greatest warriors of his time.

[@kingslegion1]

rch and rodrigo.. oh yes. as always so well done and so much loved.. thank you

[@DOSBoxMom]

Just listened to the part where the Count of Barcelona was captured while attempting to raid the Emirate of Zaragoza. In the "Poema de Mio Cid," the Count goes on a hunger strike while in captivity, and the Cid has to coax him to start eating again.

[@godfreyofibelin301]

This was just what I needed today, thank you RCH!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

You are so welcome!

[@MrSh4des]

Your content is greatly appreciated. Been binging it lately

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

I appreciate that!

[@ihaterz123]

Thanks for the vid. My first intro for El Cid was through the Age of Empires 2 game.

[@matthewblanchard9301]

"Heavenly Father, open your arms to receive the soul of one who lived and died, the purest knight of all." 🙏🛡️🗡️🇪🇸

[@mandril1]

Que maravilla de video.

[@alfredosenalle9284]

Another wonderful and historically accurate video , not to mention very entertaining , thanks.

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you for the video it was really good 👍🏻

[@stever4128]

Awesome video. Love the extra visuals!!

[@seankelly3997]

Brilliant video, l knew some of the history of EL Cid but this takes it to another level, thankyou.

[@rcknross]

awesome channel, been watching for over a decade

[@eatsblades]

That was an epic story. a lot to pack into an hour and a half and brave of you to make it in ine vid, I was glued the whole way thru'. top work fella.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@schaney7891]

This was awesome!!

[@sheilahorn8913]

Thanks! Another exciting history video!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thank you Sheila! I appreciate the tip and the endorsement. Hope all is well with you and your family.

[@molek5823]

Epic story telling!

[@tonyelberg7814]

Love these docks, thanks heaps, just watched series 2 of the prime movie el cid, it's not bad , I also have the Charleston Heston and Sofia Loren movie as well called el cid

[@malikshabazz2065]

awesome stuff!

[@ozarkanglican9138]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@TheSentry66]

This was great! Thoroughly enjoyed your historical prospective! SUBSCRIBED! 👍

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Awesome, thank you!

[@rubenlp8872]

Great production and narration! Congratulations, felicidades. "Qué buen vasallo sería, si tuviera buen señor" 😄

[@seb2750]

In Mount&Blade perspective, he got so OP, he became his own faction.

[@jphalsberghe1]

Best presentation ever!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you think so!

[@richardkeilig4062]

Well done documentary.

[@chrisspeight732]

I thank u for your hard work putting these videos together, I love military history. I love spending a lazy day in bed on a Sunday watching your your content, very satisfying. Please keep up your hard work, the education I learn from your videos is brilliant, thanks once again.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Hey thanks!

[@HikerBikerMoter]

very informative 👏

[@aspetm3846]

Well done to brave man of legendary EL CID.

[@kentjensen4939]

He and William the Conqueror, who lived about the same time, could have had an interesting relationship.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Similar men, in some ways. Duke William was born to a higher status, but the group he belonged to was itself rather upstart. The 11th century is filled with these enterprising, ambitious, rapid-rising adventurers who achieve top level power through what seems almost like sheer will and ability.

[@diegoapalategui579]

@@RealCrusadesHistory Believe it or not my William the conqueror, El Cid and ALfonso all are my direct ancestors.

[@tmr3513]

Just found out he is my ancestor. Lived briefly in Spain twice.

[@diegoapalategui579]

I found he is my ancestor 8 months ag with a heritage website.

[@evaescrihuela1162]

Beautiful and well documented video, thanl you very much. Greetings from Spain.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thank you very much!

[@Thor-Orion]

10:20 this is also a very old traditional Visigothic position of Sword Bearer. Theudis was Theodoric the Great’s sword bearer and was the king of Visigothic Spain as a regent of Theodoric. Theudis’ nephew or grand nephew or second cousin (something of that sort most likely) was Totila, who is an ancestor of mine and a great hero of the Gothic people. Theudis’ position as sword-bearer for Theodoric greatly strengthened Totila’s claim to the title of Rex Gothorum when he rose to the position in the aftermath of Theodoric’s death.

[@ruicabral1960]

good story telling. and a lot of work. respect.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Much appreciated!

[@ruicabral1960]

@@RealCrusadesHistory well deserved. keep on with the good work.

[@yolamontalvan9502]

Holly Cow, this looks like the real Game of Thrones. Now I know why the entire Spain is a museum.

[@tonymickens8803]

GREAT WORK Using Total War Atilla for this Documentary, VERY Well Done!!!!

[@MrEmperorApples]

Well Done!

[@Boric78]

Superb.

[@davidmiller4078]

There was a hollywood epic film about him i remember seeing but its good to hear about his actual life either way he was a hero of Christian Spain

[@Richard-tu9wr]

Love it a true warrior... El Cid..Leon they need To make a series a Netflix type of thing love it..

[@juliosalazar6924]

There´s one in Amazon Prime

[@Richard-tu9wr]

That's were you got yours

[@ZenexTheZealous]

Keep the videos coming, J!

[@SouthGallaecian]

Outstanding documentary. Truly top notch. Just a small correction; Rodrigo Díaz was not born in the Kingdom of Castille, as the first King of Castille was precisely Sancho II. El Cid was born in the County of Castille, in the Kingdom of León.

[@michaelman957]

El Cid, such a gigachad that even his mortal enemies respected him.

[@jackcommonman1381]

very good. at 50 i remember what it felt like as a child hearing stories of heroes

[@glitchedsound206]

Thanks.

[@waynevaughan9325]

Brilliant vid. We hear little of this history.

[@bowieupland6112]

Well done.

[@daviddorris9502]

best AOE 2 campain in the game, that was my introduction to El Cid when I was seven years old, and he's still my favorite medieval character. well, either him or Charlemagne...

[@davidwhelan1545]

A great man of his time!

[@n3nt2nd464]

My mother actually named me after this guy, while she named my older brother after Emiliano Zapata

[@kingkenny2797]

Brilliant

[@gingerbill128]

Excellent , thanks for the video

[@hermosoloremalaga]

Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar.😊🇪🇦.

[@foolishstrudel2689]

Dude freakin' lived a Mount & Blade playthrough. Butter bless his soul.

[@robertodelcristo6503]

Thanks!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks for the kind tip Robert, appreciate that!

[@saguntum-iberian-greekkons7014]

Épico, Viva El Campeador!

[@juliusdream2683]

Good job 👍

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks 👍

[@KnH07]

Realizing King Alfonso's actuions after the death of El Cud, there is a Filipino proverb that says "aanhin mo ang damo kapag patay na ang kabayo" in english it says "what you goingg to do with the grass if the horse is now dead."

[@richardkeilig4062]

A great, brave, caring ruler.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

Anyone here watched the 1961 movie of El Cid?

[@asjadsalman9054]

I have

[@grig60]

Thanks

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks very much!

[@carlosbarillas5328]

First tnkz for excellent video content narrative and educational I read about El Cid campeador in school 5th grade then in Highschool but now I have a learned way more so was he a honorable knight loyal servant to the crown Alfonso's family a great soldier and lider a family man mercenary soldier of fortune traitor conquerer man of faith or a campeador my respect to El Cid tnkz guys 😎

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Thanks very much!

[@amrsabagh4192]

I am a muslim but this series are very good

[@nagibkanaan2464]

I am Christian we are still brother s

[@oxfordouds5882]

​@@nagibkanaan2464well said ❤️

[@amacrad]

We can appreciate the chivalric quality of El Cid as much as of Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn, probably the greatest muslim knight.

[@gregkosinski2303]

I think that no matter who you are, you can still view your own people as the bad guys when they are invading others’ lands. Obviously that can be a bit of a false narrative since most of human history has been a bunch of peasants and lands being fought over by relatively small groups of elites though.

[@amrsabagh4192]

Invading other lands is the habit of the nations of the ancient and Middle ages