The Most Famous Knight Who Ever Lived: El Cid

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching. Please do hit "like" on the video, it really helps me out. And if you enjoy what I do here and would like early access to advert-free videos then please become a Channel Member: kzbin.info/door/UVwT8zcS5Z_rYXnpomlbfgjoin or Patreon supporter: www.patreon.com/dandavisauthor As I am a one-man team, your support will make a huge difference to the quality and quantity of work I can produce for this channel. Cheers!

[@Catonius]

another belter, much appreciated -thank you. also, the Js go H in mexican i think...

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

Why do all your images of historical Spanish characters look completely non-Hispanic? More like American actors from the Charlton Heston movie. {:o:O:}

[@edoart3722]

El cid was not a crusader. So he did not wear the crusader uniform

[@UkSapyy]

When will the next Godborn book be released?

[@xpainx5185]

Something amazing is that in that fortress in Sagunto, Hannibal fought and almost die when a "soliferrun" A spear made only with steel nail him to the horse thru his thigh' That attack started the war between Rome and the Carthaginian .

[@jackmorrison5272]

Well it is a good sign when a British youtuber makes such a video about Spain's national hero. Looks like we are overcomming centuries of beef in the most positive and respectful way, by admiring each other's history. Muchas Gracias Dan

[@DanDavisHistory]

I never heard any British people having any beef against Spain or the Spanish at all, personally. British people like Spain and the Spanish, in my experience.

[@jackmorrison5272]

@@DanDavisHistory I mean historically speaking. I am a history teacher and particularly interested in military history. Reading the same book about great naval battles in Spanish and English I found odd things like the Spanish leaving out the Invincible Armada while the British for some reason didn't mentira Lepanto. As for military héroes the Spanish tend to sort of skipp over Nelson while I haven' t seen Blas de Lezo mentioned by the British. True, most of these books are on the older side. Then there was that movie with Cate Blanchet about the Spanish Armada that didn't even reach Spanish Cinemas. We All tend to Focus on our domestic heroes and and downplay the others achievements especially When the were targeted against our ancestors. And there Wasa Lot of that in the 16 and 17 hundrets that left A mark on historians. But I See more and more that that is no longer the case. Another example Drachinifel making videos about British defeats at the hands of the Spanish. It feels like we are getting over the more nationalistic views that tended to impermeate especially military history. As individuals visiting each others countries for decades of course there is no beef. I should have Been more specific on this point as It could bé misunderstood. Thanks for painting that out

[@hakanliljeberg790]

To say it in gothic from Sweden... Ik þukkia þu ist batists Dan...!

[@alvaro701]

​@@DanDavisHistory That's almost hard to believe

[@rdklkje13]

@@jackmorrison5272 So true, great examples, thank you.

[@jon9021]

El Cid with Charlton Heston…one of my favourite movies as a boy!

[@JamesDuna-uk4mj]

Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren

[@DetherDuLac]

i cannot tell you how much i love these vids,, but this one is a pure masterpiece for me thanks so much, i have studied Rodrigo since i was a little boy and have walked the streets of Valencia and Vivar and all about as a US Marine. and this vid just brings back so many good and old cherished memories... I also must say you prove Shelby Foote correct when he said historians could learn something from writers, for writers have a way of telling history in an easy way on the mind and much more interesting. i have read so many transcripts from ancient sources on many historical subjects, but hearing a story teller put all those facts in a poetic manner is so pleasant.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you so much, that's a wonderful comment. Made my day.

[@sabinabliss6815]

I’m agreeing 😂

[@Admiralofthedeeps]

It's nice to have an actual human doing the voice-over for a history video. I keep getting recommended history videos with AI voices these days, and whether the information is good or not, I'm always so put off that I don't bother watching them. Keep up the amazing work, and I and I'm sure many others will keep watching.

[@joneseskid2326]

Agreed 👍

[@dianabriggs1032]

I think this guy is a legend partly because he not only had plenty of victories and against-all-odds success, but several moments where he got to personally stick it to people who underestimated or rejected him. Isn’t that the stuff we all fantasize about? Having a jerk boss who fired you show up to a few years later to a job interview you’re running, and you get to go “Well, well, well…”

[@atagaijewere1540]

He only became famous because of Charlton Heston

[@Boric78]

My favourite film as a kid. Lived in Spain for twenty years and married to one, with Spanish children. There is no getting away from the fact this is an epic story. Glad Dan Davis did it as his videos are superb. And Rodrigo deserves it. RIP El Cid, we shall see you again when Spain needs you.

[@williamromine5715]

Many years ago(I'm 82), My then wife and I had a foreign exchange student for a year who was from Valencia. She was a joy to live with. This video brought back some nice memories of a time long ago. Thank you for bringing back those memories.

[@DanDavisHistory]

That's lovely, thank you for watching.

[@austin6ish]

That’s a wonderful memory. It’s amazing how small things like that may seem insignificant or minor, yet they can be easily recalled and hold a special place in the heart.

[@midoribushi5331]

I love learning about Spain, my mom's homeland and its history. Learning about El Cid and the Reconquest is my favorite bit of Spanish history. El Cid was smart and brave knight who fought for freedom of his land and people. Viva El Cid Gran Campeon de España!

[@ItzJustHistory1916]

I’d been feeling the “Dan Davis tingle” like there would be a new video out soon! Glad to hear your rosing rendition of this iconic man’s story

[@AnkurSharma-gp3es]

Refreshed memories of playing El Cid Compeadur campaign in AoE as a kid on the family 🖥️

[@Thearbiter96]

YES!

[@Appachoppa112]

Learned about this legend thru rise of kingdoms.

[@jayst]

Now you can play as El Cid in Crusader Kings 3 !

[@benmcseveny7067]

A fitting production for an extraordinary warrior and leader. Well done Dan. Definitely worth the wait.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks Ben much appreciated.

[@uncletiggermclaren7592]

If I was Spanish, I would be grateful to you for such a rousing tale about one of my people's heroes. That was very interesting.

[@jezusbloodie]

Great video. I love the attention you gave to the maps and all the persons' infocards

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much, glad you liked it.

[@garychekerdjian9]

THANKS

[@karenzak6627]

Fascinating history and well presented. Thank you!

[@c_r_i_ss_y]

It’s beautiful to see my hometown, Zamora, in this video. The famous epic poem written about his life and achievements is part of the education curriculum here, so every kid knows El Cid. Great video, Dan.

[@fartz3808]

Maybe I am in some kind of unconscious hivemind but I was thinking of El Cid today and what a great story it was, out of the blue. Unprompted, since I never really think of El Cid much. And then you post this...

[@thefisherking78]

Some of the best content available today

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you so much, very generous of you.

[@Shoshana-xh6hc]

Portugals National newspaper is called: “Reconquista “. This period is still alive to the people.

[@paolosasso2189]

A remarkable story. Thank you for keeping it alive.

[@ikeaoperative]

Supposedly El Cid is an ancestor of mine, cool to learn more about him!

[@brawndothethirstmutilator9848]

I’ve always found it interesting that in English it’s typical to change “Fernando” into its Germanic form of Ferdinand, but not “Rodrigo” into Roderick.

[@morgan258]

Your narration is on point with this one

[@thefisherking78]

Thank you Mr. Davis! I've always been fascinated by this era in history and the characters who inhabited it.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you for watching. Me too.

[@tommangen4821]

As a child i was an avoricious reader of histories and had read a YA English version of The Song of El Cid. The movie despite featuring Charleton Heston, was a grand epic and deepened my interest in the Cid as a man of honor with ties to both the Moors and the Christians. When I retired to Spain a few years ago, i was very pleased to improve my Spanish to be able to read the poem in Spanish. It was a great read, probably half history and half hype, but a tale to immerse the reader in the medieval world of Reconquista Spain. Thanks Dan for your rendition of the story of this great man. Tom Mangen PS. I live in Barcelona a couple hundred meters from a plaza featuring a statue of Ramon Berenguer. i am always amused that he is thus glorified here, a man who was soundly thrashed and captured and ransomed by the Cid on more than one occasion

[@paulvontarsus729]

Great video! On another note, it would be so awesome if you could make a video about the incredible sieges of Vienna in 1529 and 1683, two tremendous turning points in the history of Europe against the Turks.

[@jtstanway4537]

Saladin was also an admired warrior as well, Amazon Prime had a great series on El Cid, but sadly they cut it short...

[@archaicanarch5567]

Outstanding job, Mr. Davis!

[@rafaelbalsan4512]

Once again you've managed to unite great storytelling with deep historical research into topics which aren't as commonly explored. This is why you're the best history channel in KZbin in my opinion.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it 🙏

[@shantiescovedo4361]

Another amazing video Dan. We appreciate all the work that you put into these lessons.

[@xispaster]

Felicidades y gracias,Dan.

[@aragornii507]

How quickly Europe has forgotten

[@aaabbb8812]

Which thing is that?

[@SkyFly19853]

That reminds me the El Cid the Movie from 1960s...

[@jytte-hilden]

Wasn't that the one where he said "Soylent reconquista is people"?

[@SkyFly19853]

@@jytte-hilden I can NOT remember the exact lines from the movie. I remember some specific scenes though.

[@charlesdavenport6094]

The movie bearing minimal semblance to reality, but I liked it.

[@SkyFly19853]

@@charlesdavenport6094 at least, better than today's movies from Hollywood...

[@Widsith83]

Thanks for another great story⚔️👌

[@andresaltosaar9317]

I love your content, Dan. As usual, amazing,

[@mnforager]

Incredible video. I was aware of El Cid but you brought the man and his glory to life like never before

[@DanDavisHistory]

Wonderful, so glad to hear it. Thank you for your comment.

[@rattailJimmy]

It's about time. I love these videos

[@davidalvarez1388]

¡El Cid que en buena hora ciñó espada! Great video to re-read Cid's poem again.

[@AtomikGround]

Just in time for El CId's addition in the CK3 Roads to Power expansion! Actually thought it was sponsored at first, but a nice coincidence anyway :)

[@davidmanning1724]

Thank you for the wonderful history lesson 43:51

[@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f]

Excellent. A period I've contentedly long known a touch about but now am ashamed of my ignorance. Will soon follow up on all interesting suspects. Thanks for the reminder about half-understood missed history.

[@Broanonimo-m1l]

Excelent job. I read recently an awesome book about him (in Spanish), and I'd say this an explendid summary. Thank you!

[@FoxMarrion]

Excellent most excellent narrative and balanced presentation.

[@EgoEroTergum]

I learned first of El Cid as a young boy from the illustrated chronicle of Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Edition, by the bards of En Semble. I am surprised by the differences between these two records; notably this version drastically shortens Ximena's rule of Valencia, as well as entirely omitting the part of the story where it was El Cid's corpse strapped to his horse that in fact won the siege against the moors. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this version - and look forward to your future works. 🛡⚔

[@DanDavisHistory]

I said Jimena ruled for two years, that's how long she ruled for. Also the corpse on the horse is a later legend.

[@EgoEroTergum]

@DanDavisHistory I guess I'll have to be much more critical of videogame cutscenes from here on out! 😉

[@yomomz3921]

​@@DanDavisHistory- I was wondering when someone was gonna bring up the post-mortem cavalry ride... I remembered it from the movie. 😅 Always seemed a little macabre to me, even in school. So I am glad to find that he was afforded a peaceful death after all. I like that version much better. 🍻

[@billhaskill6597]

Well done, Thank You.

[@cherylbrooks7005]

Always love your uploads!

[@shabaanmarijani1650]

Now I wanna see a duel between El Cid and William Marshall

[@enriquevisiedo2750]

Sería interesante, teniendo en cuenta que el Cid no conoció la derrota ni en duelo ni en batalla y tuvo mucho de ambos

[@asawanted]

I first heard of him when playing Age of Empires II back in mid 2000s. That garnered my interest in his life and the history of Spain as a whole.

[@billmiller4972]

In front of my eyes I always saw the movie "El Cid" and the corresponding scenes while watching your video.

[@Ln-cq8zu]

I saw the movie El Cid when I was young, I didn't know until today he was real. 😊

[@martin94590]

Dan, just found the channel yesterday. Great work and thank you for these videos 👍

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, welcome to the channel. Thanks for watching.

[@stavrosbrainstorm3509]

Cool vid bud 👍 best wishes Perth Scotland 🇬🇧

[@joeydelrio]

Dan Davis i love your presentations, good voice, you keep my attention captured well, will you please focus on more middle ages, i like the ancient times but the ones like El Cid and Marshal are my favs.

[@tysonclark5974]

Great video.

[@Andy_Babb]

Woohoo! I’ve been hoping for a Dan Davis history video!!

[@skiveman]

Well, this was unexpected but rather welcome. I rather liked hearing more about the life and times of El Cid.

[@newgabe09]

I was in from the opening music and especially how it faded to let the narration breathe . And after the first few images.. he didn't become an icon just for his feats of arms, but for that beard!!

[@ruththinkingoutside.707]

Oooh .. new video! Yay! Happy Saturday 😁 And it’s a long one too! Thanks Dan!

[@mikelara8434]

Awesome program.

[@shivaparmar9306]

What a man

[@Language_Guru]

Thank you for this interesting video about a legendary hero. I read "El cantar del mío Çid campeador" in the original medieval Spanish more than 30 years ago in grad school. It's good to learn more about the real history of the man himself. (I was in a course on literature rather than history.)

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching. It's a wonderful work of literature. I have a duel language edition with the original medieval Spanish on one page with the English translation on the other and it's very interesting to "read" the original alongside it. Its historical accuracy is of course the subject of much academic work but the third part is essentially fiction, with his daughters being kidnapped. But it's such a great read, the dialogue especially is very entertaining.

[@CKNate1]

I can’t get over how much this reminds me of the stories of David and Saul. Especially how David goes back and forth between the philistines and the Israelites. The real history must have been like this, just thousands of year earlier…

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

Thanks mate i remember the Heston film

[@IngridGruen-xs3ef]

❤❤❤ FASCINATING,THANK YOU.❤❤❤

[@j.lingle4713]

Europe needs many El CID’s right now …

[@jorgeruizibanez2318]

Si, para barrer al neonazismo...

[@rambonatorrrr6694]

Someone who plays both sides? We have plenty of those.

[@LosPeregrinosdeCamino]

Too late… Europe is Islamic… no offense, it’s just the numbers… facts of life… Belgium is now Muslim Majority and prolly UK too… France is a generation away so does Germany… perhaps Italy, Spain and Portugal is far away from that but the Northern countries will put pressure on them

[@andrewharper3165]

​@LosPeregrinosdeCamino Oh my days! What a load of anti European claptrap. Statistics prove you are spouting is BS.

[@brawndothethirstmutilator9848]

@andrewharper3165, He’s wrong now, but if the tends don’t reverse course he will be right very soon.

[@brilicusgaming6922]

Man I'm happy to see a video from the channel had me worried he quit.

[@DanDavisHistory]

It's been 4 weeks

[@brilicusgaming6922]

@@DanDavisHistory Oh I have been out of the loop for awhile sorry lol.

[@markharris6171]

Excellent video.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you.

[@JustAllinOneResource]

Hmm, I never heard of this guy. I do now, and thanks.

[@e.f.3207]

Good stuff 👍 Well done! 👏

[@jamesbelden8337]

Superb video

[@randyrios78]

This was a damn good show.

[@yeraycatalangaspar195]

Awww yeah a Rodrigo vid.

[@NecroBanana]

I read El Cantar Del Mio Cid in HS. Ty Mrs Colon for making us read it.

[@FoxMarrion]

Excellent video

[@nnelg8139]

*Our homes are yours, El Cid!*

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

What a coincidence! I was exploring Spain this past week and came across a novel about El Cid in one of those bus stations. I did not pick it up though, but yes it was in Spanish.

[@Neenerella333]

Did you happen to go through Burgos? There is a great archeological site there from his time. Easy walk up the hill from the city. Great views too.

[@enriquevisiedo2750]

Hay una novela reciente de Pere reverte , se llama SIDI y creo que está traducido a inglés

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

@@enriquevisiedo2750 That's it! Thank you! I need to find it!

[@HistoryofthePast-g4u]

The video about the lives of the kings is really fascinating.

[@jerlee620]

Excellent and brilliantly entertaining as always..couldn't help but notice how attractive all these Spaniards were 😜

[@moon-and-star]

I played his campaign in the expansion for Age of Empires 2 back in the day as a kid. 👍

[@IreneWY]

It's been redone nicely for the definitive edition. I very much recommend playing it as an adult.

[@rubenlopezusa]

Very good video!

[@Jamie-fl2im]

Great content.

[@ADR.1993]

Great Video Piece!

[@jamesvandemark2086]

And yes, Charlton Heston played him in the El Cid epic......

[@speakupriseup4549]

The good old days when all were loyal to their own people and faith over everything

[@aaabbb8812]

You think "one's own" are any less treacherous? You need to read more history.

[@stiofarnog]

Great video, saved it to my hard drive. What's that song at the end though?

[@cesarchavez9897]

Thank you.

[@chrisrhodes2]

Need a tv series about this guy.

[@DanDavisHistory]

There is one!

[@frankie3010]

​@@DanDavisHistoryis it any good?

[@jbsv2979]

La Leyenda Negra lo impide!!!

[@Hordalending]

*Mr. Davis. When will your next book in the brilliant Thunderer-series be ready?*

[@MickeyMouse-el5bk]

Arriba España siempre! 🇪🇸✝️🙏🏻💪🏻🛡️⚔️✋🏻

[@Dav1Gv]

Very interesting. People who liked this might find Guy Gavriel Kay's 'The Lions of Al Rassan' interesting. As Kay says his books are history with a right hand twist and this one is set in the reconquista and probably based on El Cid's story.

[@justinmas299]

Cool vid

[@kaarlimakela3413]

I just flashed on Cesaré Borgia's disordered attempts at glory, warring in Italy. I would bet in his mind he was emulating El Cid! The Borgias not only hailed from Valencia, but the Naughty Pope's first name was Rodrigo. The very idea cracks me up, the fit is just too good. Bet.

[@erdngtn9942]

“I knew you were Ray but…forgive me, I didn’t know you were…El Ray, forgive me”

[@Zaeyrus]

I've seen you commenting in the fitness yt area, is this an inspiration by ancient Greek philosophers? ;) Also, you'll need to make a video on your fitness status :P

[@SEKreiver]

I always knew El Cid was a badass...and I love the (inaccurate) Heston film. Raymond Ibrahim's DEFENDERS OF THE WEST has a GREAT chapter on El Cid. A manly man and a true defender of Christendom.

[@billjenkins5693]

Thank you

[@sitrilko]

Hello mr. Davis, are the portrait images in the vid AI generated? I'm asking this out of curiousity, and if so what type of review do you do to make sure they are representative even if made up? Thanks, sir

[@riktrink]

we are gonna need sid today too

[@pendragonU]

The man in itself was Epic, in the same decades of the lifespan of others like Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy’s conquest and the last of the Viking kings Harold Hardrada, etc. in the apex of the Medieval World, when these unique warlords were ever on the edge of success and immense fame, or losing it all and death or imprisonments for desserts. That he was never defeated but knew how to turn a losing battle against ominous numbers before opening charge, and take advantage of a winning enemy thin weak spots to bring them down before his troops break off to escape is impressive in any century. He must have known something on the tactical switches of Ancient Roman or Greeks expertise over the 2-3 pony’s tricks with what Medieval battles had become simplified not much more above Germanic or Keltic melee’s. And his men must have been highly disciplined and seasoned even on the face of defeat to don’t break nor faint regardless, maybe too it must have aided them to be under an almost fanatical trust in their Chief resourcefulness, and loyalty to death to their noble lord almost tragical figure of errant knight, centuries before the likes of romantic knights as Don Quixote or Cyrano. But like many have pointed, regardless the next century mixing manipulations of religion and warriors devotions into Crusades for political ends and mundane gains, his Times were less idealist and absolutely pragmatic into dire necessities pressing their World of shifting borders or the rising of elites as the Morabites, the Normans or Cistercians taking over former administrations or executives, without nationalisms or flags established values nor loyalties, which not even kings could keep forever without more interpersonal substance to back it up beyond purses of gold or lands and castles gifted to withhold retainers high or low.

[@pendragonU]

He personally struck praise and fear without any legendary or religion superpowers mythifying him and his deeds which was outstanding by himself without being a Viking, King or Emperor or even general or duke with a whole royal or dukedom forces behind him. His exploits in a sort of no man’s land he found himself and his landless knights evokes the situation of Hannibal during his years stuck in the Italian peninsula, he could not be defeated but he couldn’t capture or bring down all of the government’s of the states he roamed around unmatched and superior as no other before or after. He just didn’t have a larger base and resources backing him from Carthage placed on checkmate after his brothers were killed

[@prometheustod]

Premium history content, thanks brother for your work! Is there any chance you could have a look on Pál Kinizsi of Hungary or any Middle or Eastern European knights?

[@მაიაროსტიაშვილი2025]

El Cid is Giorgi Saakadze from Spain 💛