Content deleted Content added
Montrealais (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
m +pl: |
||
Line 1:
[[pl:Cyd]]
'''El Cid''' and also '''El Cid Campeador''' is the name commonly used for the important [[Spain|Spanish]] [[knight]] and [[hero]], '''Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar''' (born in [[Vivar]], [[Burgos (province)|Burgos]], [[Spain]] circa [[1045]], died in [[Valencia]], Spain in July [[1099]]). He was born a lower [[nobleman]], although his mother was a close relative of King [[Alfonso VI of Castile]]. As an adult his accomplishments earned him a standing equal to noblemen of [[Nobility|higher birth]], which brought him a great deal of resentment.
Line 5 ⟶ 6:
Never once defeated in battle, El Cid is credited with having made a large contribution to the [[Reconquista|expulsion]] of Spain's Islamic conquerors. He conquered many cities in the east of Spain, and finally Valencia. After capturing it, El Cid ruled the territory around this major city, establishing what could have been called a kingdom but which he always called part of Castile, declaring the territory as belonging to his king. There the king allowed him to meet his wife and daughters, and they lived there until his death.
He was a cultivated man, having served the king as a judge. He kept in life a personal archive with copies of the letters he mailed and important diplomas he signed as part of his cooperation in the king's administration. During his campaigns he often ordered that books by classic Roman and Greek authors on military themes be read in loud voice to him and his troops, both for entertainment and inspiration during battle. El Cid's army had a novel approach to planning strategy as well, holding what might be called [[brainstorming]] sessions before each battle to discuss tactics. They frequently used unexpected strategies, engaging in what modern Generals would call psychological warfare-waiting for the enemy to be paralyzed with terror and then attacking them suddenly, distracting the enemy with a small group of soldiers, etc. El Cid had a humble personality and frequently accepted or included suggestions from his troops. He remained open to input from his soldiers and to the possibility that he himself was
capable of error. The man who served him as his closest adviser was [[Minaya Alvar
El Cid's [[sword]] "Tizona" can still be seen in the Army Museum at [[Madrid]]. Soon after his death it became one of the most precious possessions of the Spanish royal family. This is a very special, well-forged sword ''(editors note: does anyone know if this is in reference to [[Damascan steel]]?)'' he captured from the Arabs, and only recent studies have recreated a metal-forging process that came close to the excellent properties of the steel. His battle [[horse]] was called "Babieca". They had a horse for battles and another one for travelling, and would change horses quickly if they had to fight, so that their best one would not be tired from the journey.
| |||