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El Cantar de mío Cid

(The Song of My Lord)

Part III: The Conquest of Valencia

Translated by A. S. Kline © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved.

This work may be freely reproduced, stored and transmitted, electronically or otherwise, for any non-commercial purpose. Conditions and Exceptions apply.

Contents

Lines 1086-1102: El Cid campaigns along the coast, north of Valencia

I tell of the further deeds of my Cid of Vivar.

His men were now rich beyond comprehension.

My Cid was encamped at the pass of Alacón.

He quit Zaragoza now, and that neighbourhood;

He quit Huesca, and the land round Montalbán,

And began a fresh campaign towards the coast.

He turned his mind to the east, and the sunrise.

My Cid won Jérica, and Onda, and Almenara;

The lands round Burriana, he gained them all.

God above helped him, the Lord of the Heavens,

And he took, with all those places, Murviedro;

Thus, the Cid perceived how the Lord helped him,

And, within Valencia, there arose no little fear;

It displeased all, and weighed heavily on them.

They took counsel and, planning to besiege him,

Rode all night, and next day, in the dawn-light,

Pitching their tents there, close to Murviedro.

Lines 1103-1128: He decides to confront the Valencian besiegers

My Cid viewed this, and was filled with wonder:

‘Thanks to you, Our Lord, and the Holy Spirit;

We are in their lands, and here we wreak havoc.

We drink their wine, and eat their bread gladly.

Should they attack us, they are right to do so,

For without a battle, naught will be decided.

Let messengers go forth, to all our forces,

Send some to Jérica, others to Alacón,

And, from here, to Onda and Almenara,

And gather men swiftly from all Burriana;

That we might fight the foe in the open field.

I trust to God that this will swell our army.’

By the third day, all his men had gathered,

And he, born in a fair hour, rose to speak:

‘Hearken, men, and may the Lord save you!

Since we left the true land of Christendom,

(We liked it not, but we could do no other)

Our cause has advanced, thanks be to God.

The Valencians desire to besiege us now,

And if we wish for survival in this land,

We must fiercely oppose those that attack us.

When the night is past, and morning comes,

Don your armour, and hold your steeds ready,

And, as a band of exiles, in a foreign land,

We will attack their encampment, yonder,

And then we shall see who’ll earn his pay.’

Lines 1129-1155: Minaya suggests a plan of attack

Hear what Minaya Álvar Fáñez suggested:

‘Campeador, we will execute your pleasure.

Grant me a hundred knights, I ask no more.

You, with the rest, attack their ranks head-on,

And strike them hard, as you do, fearlessly,

While I, with my hundred, take them in the rear,

And, I trust in God, the field will then be ours.’

The Campeador was pleased with all he’d said.

It was morning, and they donned their armour,

Each one knowing what it was they had to do.

As dawn broke, the Cid moved against the foe.

As dawn broke, the Cid moved against the foe

‘As dawn broke, the Cid moved against the foe’

‘In the name of the Lord, and the apostle James,

Attack, my knights, ardently, willingly, gladly,

For I am Rodrigo Díaz, El Cid de Vivar!’

Many a broken tent-rope you’d have seen there,

The stakes uprooted, the centre-poles downed,

Many were the Moors now seeking to re-group,

As Álvar Fáñez attacked them from the rear.

Aggrieved, the Moors were forced to yield or flee.

Great was the joy that spread throughout the field;

Two kings of the Moors they slew in that pursuit,

While they chased their foes as far as Valencia.

Great were the spoils that my Cid now gained.

Cebolla, he took, and the land that lies beyond.

Those who could escaped, as one, at the gallop,

His men plundered the battlefield and returned,

Re-entering Murviedro, with a heap of spoils.

Lines 1156-1188: The Cid campaigns south of Valencia

Know that news of the Cid’s deeds was spreading.

In Valencia, they were petrified with fear,

And folk bore the ill-tidings beyond the sea.

The Cid and his band of warriors were pleased

That God had helped them and brought victory.

He sent his company on many a night-raid.

They reached Cullera, and they reached Játiva,

And, further south, the township of Denia.

He plundered the Moorish lands along that coast.

He took Carbonera Castle, its entrances and exits;

Peña Cadiella it was named; when he did so,

Greatly troubled were both Játiva and Cullera,

And indescribable the fear in Valencia.

Three years my Cid spent taking those places,

Plundering, conquering the lands of the Moors,

Sleeping by day, and raiding through the night.

Those folk in Valencia, he made them suffer,

All afraid to sally forth, and so confront him.

He razed the orchards, and did them great harm.

He denied them grain for bread, year on year.

The Valencians grieved, uncertain what to do.

Grain for their bread he denied them everywhere.

Fathers failed to aid their sons, sons their fathers,

Nor could friends grant consolation to each other.

Tis a dreadful thing, my lords, to lack for bread,

To see one’s wife and children die of hunger!

They viewed the suffering, devoid of succour,

And were forced to appeal to Morocco’s king,

But so great had been past conflict between them

He neither supported them nor came to their aid.

My Cid learned of this, and it warmed his heart.

He left Murviedro at night and, without halting,

Morning found him in the land about Monreal.

Lines 1189-1207: He lays siege to the city

El Cid sent throughout Aragon and Navarre;

To the kingdom of Castile, he sent his message:

‘Whoso would quit poverty, and find riches,

Come to El Cid, who is eager to ride forth,

Lay siege to Valencia, and Christianize it.

Whoso will go with me, and besiege Valencia,

(All shall come freely; no man shall be forced)

I’ll await them, for three days, in Canal de Cella.’

So said Ruy Díaz, El Cid, the great Campeador.

He returned to Murviedro, the place now his.

Those messengers went forth to every region,

For, eager for spoils, El Cid brooked no delay.

Many came, of the warriors of Christendom.

The wealth of my Cid of Vivar kept increasing.

He viewed his gathering army, and was pleased.

My Cid, Don Ruy, indeed brooked no delay;

He marched for Valencia and besieged the city.

He surrounded it wholly, none could escape him,

He stopped all from entering or leaving there.

Lines 1208-1223: El Cid captures Valencia

The news of the Cid’s deeds spread everywhere.

More came to join El Cid than abandoned him.

He set the siege’s term, lest the foe sought rescue.

Know that for nine months he penned them there.

When the tenth arrived, they were forced to yield.

Great was the joy that spread throughout the city,

When my Cid triumphed on entering Valencia.

Men that had fought on foot were dubbed knights,

Who could count the gold and the silver there?

They were now rich, those men of his company,

My Cid, Don Ruy, ordered his fifth be brought;

Thirty thousand marks, in coins, fell to his share.

As for the other treasures, who could count them?

The Campeador, and his company, were happy,

Now that his banner flew high o’er the alcázar;

And my Cid was at ease, with all his company.

Lines 1224-1244: He routs the army of the King of Seville

Grave tidings thus reached the king of Seville,

That Valencia was lost, all defence had ceased.

He advanced to attack, with thirty thousand men,

And a battle was fought among the orchards;

My Cid, of the full beard, saw to their defeat.

The pursuit drove those left as far as Játiva.

All was confusion at the passage of the Júcar;

Fighting its flow, the Moors drank unwillingly.

Seville’s monarch escaped with a trio of wounds;

My Cid returned with the spoils he had gained.

Great the plunder when he conquered Valencia,

But more came from this victory he achieved,

A hundred silver marks went to every soldier.

Behold, how far the fame of Ruy Díaz spread!

Great contentment there was, midst the Christians,

With my Cid, Ruy Díaz, born in fortunate hour.

And my Cid grew his beard, and wore it longer,

And these were the words that fell from his lips:

‘For love of Alfonso, who drove me from his land,

No scissors shall enter here, nor a hair be cut!

And let Moors and Christians be aware of this.’

Lines 1245-1272: He shares out the wealth and property gained

My Cid, Don Rodrigo, rested in Valencia,

With ever by his side, Minaya Álvar Fáñez. 

Those who had left their lands behind were rich,

Having been granted properties in Valencia,

In confirmation of El Cid’s love for his men.

Those who’d left Castile with him were pleased,

As were the rest, and so my Cid allowed them,

If they wished, to leave with their riches, freely,

But this my Cid decreed, on Minaya’s advice:

All that failed to seek leave and kiss his hand,

If they were detected, or were caught thereafter,

Would lose their riches, and would be impaled.

Lo, all this was arranged, as he had ordered;

And he sat, with Minaya Álvar Fáñez, in counsel:

‘If you would, Minaya, please record the names

Of those now here that have gained wealth with us.

Set it down in writing, record them, every one,

So that if any are found missing, and desert us,

They must release their wealth to those of mine

Who patrol round Valencia, and guard the city.’

Álvar Fáñez replied: ‘That seems wise counsel.’

Ruy ordered his warriors to gather at his court.

Once there, Minaya saw their names recorded.

Three thousand six hundred men had El Cid;

His heart was eased; he smiled his contentment:

‘Thanks be to God, Minaya, and his Mother Mary;

With far fewer men than these we left Vivar.

Now we are rich, and will be far richer later.’

Lines 1273-1289: Minaya is asked to undertake a mission to Castile

‘If it pleases you, Minaya, and seems no burden,

I would send to Castile, where we own property,

To King Alfonso there, who is rightly our lord,

Out of the many spoils that we have gained here,

A hundred fine steeds, and you shall take them.

There, kiss his hand; be so bold as to ask him

To let my wife, and daughters, journey to me.

I’ll ask for them; you shall bear the message:

El Cid’s wife, and his two young daughters,

To be escorted here, and with all due honour,

To dwell in the foreign realm we have gained.’

And ‘Willingly, I shall do so,’ said Minaya.

After they’d spoken thus, all was made ready,

Rodrigo granted Minaya one hundred men,  

To serve him on the way, as he might wish,

And a thousand silver marks, for San Pedro,

To be handed there to the abbot, Don Sancho.

Lines 1290-1309: Don Jerónimo is appointed bishop of Valencia

Amidst all the celebrations in Valencia,

A cleric arrived there from eastern parts;

Bishop Don Jerónimo, the man was named.

He was well-versed in letters, and was wise,

And a forceful knight, on foot or horseback.

He asked there about the deeds of my Cid,

For he yearned to meet the Moors in the field,

So that, having had his fill of striking them,

No Christian might bewail him at his death.

Hearing of the bishop, my Cid, was pleased:

‘Hark, Minaya Álvar Fáñez, by the Lord on high,

Tis good to thank Him, when He favours us so.

I’ll create a bishopric, in Valencia’s realm,

And appoint to it this worthy Christian man,

And you can bear the good news to Castile.’

Minaya was pleased with all that Don Ruy said.

So, they appointed Don Jerónimo as bishop,

And gave him the means to adorn Valencia.

Lord, how delighted was all of Christendom,

That a bishop now dwelt in Valencia’s realm!

Lines 1310-1352: Minaya seeks audience with King Alfonso

Minaya was happy, took his leave, and departed.

Once the realm of Valencia was thus at peace,

Minaya Álvar Fáñez made his way to Castile;

I’ll not tell of his route, not seeking to recount it.

He enquired as to where King Alfonso might be,

Who to Sahagún had gone, a brief while before,

And returned now, it seems, by way of Carrión.

Álvar Fáñez was happy to seek the king there,

And, with that in mind, took to the road again.

Lo, Minaya arrived at that town, most opportunely,

At the moment that Alfonso was leaving Mass.

Before all the court, Minaya fell to his knees,

With a serious gaze, he knelt before Alfonso,

Kissed the king’s hands, and spoke most fittingly:

‘Grace, my lord Alfonso, for love of the Lord;

My Cid, the Campeador, thus kisses your hands,

Your feet also, as one does before their master,

And asks your mercy, so may the Lord aid you!

You drove him from your realm, he lacks your love;

Though he’s achieved much in a foreign realm.

He has taken Jérica, and Onda, in all but name,

Seized Almenara, and Murviedro what is more;

As he has Cebolla and, Castellón, further north,

And Carbonera castle, amidst its rugged cliffs.

With all of these, he’s now Valencia’s master;

The Campeador has appointed a bishop there;

Has fought five clear battles and won them all.

Great are the spoils that the Lord has brought him;

And here is the proof that all I’ve said is true,

A hundred horses, both strong and swift of pace,

All fully equipped with fine saddles and bridles.

He kisses your hands, and asks you to accept them,

He calls himself your vassal, and you, his master.’

The king, hand raised, made the sign of the cross.

‘By Saint Isidore, I feel joy in my very heart,

At the great wealth the Campeador has won.

I am most pleased with the tidings he sends,

And accept the horses he offers me as a gift.’

He was pleased, but less so García Ordóñez:

‘There’ll be none left alive in the land of Moors,

It would seem, if the Campeador has his way!’

Said the king to the count: ‘Leave off such talk;

For he serves me better, in all ways, than you.’

Lines 1353-1386: He makes his request regarding El Cid’s wife and daughters

Minaya then spoke up, forcefully, like a man:

‘El Cid makes this request, if it pleases you,

As regards Doña Jimena, and his two daughters.

They would leave the nunnery where he left them,

And go to Valencia, to join the Campeador.’

At once the king replied: ‘That would please me;

I shall order an escort, to guide them on their way,

To protect them from ill-doers, and dishonour.

And when these ladies cross my kingdom’s border,

Take care how you and the Campeador serve them.

Hearken to me, my followers, and all my court,

I’d not have the Campeador lose a single spoil;

And all those followers that call him their lord,

I release to them all I dispossessed them of;

May their wealth serve him, where’er he goes.

I’ll protect their persons, from all ill and harm,

And I do all this so they may serve their master.’

Minaya Álvar Fáñez kissed the king’s hands.

The king smiled, and full eloquently he spoke:

The king smiled, and full eloquently he spoke

‘The king smiled, and full eloquently he spoke’

‘To those who wish to serve the Campeador

I grant leave; with God’s grace they may go;

We’ll gain more by this means than any other.’

Those grandees, the infantes of Carrión, said:

‘The fame of El Cid, the Campeador, increases;

It would be to our profit to wed his daughters,

Though we dare not undertake to raise the issue.

El Cid is of Vivar, we are counts of Carrión.’

They spoke so privately, but dropped the matter.

Minaya Álvar Fáñez took his leave of the king.

‘Minaya, you are leaving, go with God’s grace!

Take a courier, I deem he’ll be useful to you,

And if the ladies go with you, serve them well.

Do their every bidding, as far as Medinaceli,

The Campeador will care for them thereafter.’

Lines 1387-1407: Minaya leaves court, and travels to San Pedro

Minaya Álvar Fáñez now left Alfonso’s court,

Accompanied by the infantes of Carrión.

At the border they said: ‘Excellent in all things,

Be likewise in this, and greet El Cid de Vivar,

Saying that we would hope to have his favour,

And that he will lose naught by befriending us.’

Answered Minaya Álvar Fáñez: ‘That I shall do.’

Minaya departed, the infantes returned to court.

He rode to San Pedro to join the ladies, there.

Great was their joy at Minaya’s appearance.

He dismounted and entered San Pedro, to pray,

And, when he had finished, turned to the ladies:

‘I bow to you Doña Jimena; the Lord protect you!

And I bow to your daughters, the two infantes.

My Cid sends you greetings from where he dwells,

I left him well, and assessing our wealth of spoils.

The king, of his grace, releases you to my care,

As your escort to Valencia, which we now hold.

When the Cid sees you there, well and unharmed,

He will be wholly content, his mind untroubled.’

Said Doña Jimena: ‘May the Lord desire it so!

Lines 1408-1441: He prepares to escort the Cid’s family to Valencia

he king has placed your wife and daughters, in Minaya’s care

‘The king has placed your wife and daughters, in Minaya’s care’

Minaya Álvar Fáñez chose three of his knights,

As messengers to El Cid in Valencia:

‘Say to the Campeador: “May God protect you!

The king has placed your wife and daughters

In Minaya’s care, and provisioned their journey,

If God keeps all from harm, in fifteen days,

He and your wife and daughters will be here,

And the kind ladies-in-waiting who are theirs.”’

The knights departed to execute his orders;

Minaya Álvar Fáñez remaining in San Pedro.

Many a knight came there from distant parts,

Seeking to join El Cid de Vivar in Valencia,

And begged Minaya to seek favour for them.

The latter replied: ‘Most willingly, I’ll do so!’

Sixty and five the knights that joined Minaya,

To add to the hundred that rode in company;

A splendid troop had he to escort the ladies.

Five hundred marks he handed to the abbot.

I’ll tell you what he did with the other half.

He provided Doña Jimena and her daughters,

And the other ladies serving them diligently,

With the best attire to be found in all Burgos,

(This the kindly knight now set himself to do)

And with palfreys and mules, to honour them.

Once the ladies had made their preparations,

Our good Minaya wished to take to the road.

Lo, Rachel and Vidas came to kneel at his feet:

‘If you please, Minaya, worthiest of knights,

We will be ruined if the Cid should fail us.

We’ll forego the interest; return the capital.’

Said Minaya: ‘If God wills, I’ll tell El Cid.

You’ll win fine compensation for your deed.’

Said Rachel and Vidas: ‘May the Lord so will it!

If not, we’ll quit Burgos and go seek him out.’

Lines 1442-1456: Minaya and his company leave San Pedro

Minaya Álvar Fáñez, then, was in San Pedro.

Many had joined him there, ere he rode forth.

He was sad to part from the kindly abbot.

Said the latter: ‘The Lord aid you, Minaya;

Kiss the hands of the Campeador for me!

May he never forget the monastery here,

And aid it, throughout his life, to prosper,

For such will profit the Campeador greatly.’

Said Minaya: ‘That shall I do, and willingly!’

They said their farewells, he set forth to ride.

The king’s courier was there in that company,

To conduct them through Alfonso’s realm,

And provide for them as the king commanded.

Within five days, journeying from San Pedro,

Minaya, with the ladies, reached Medinaceli.

Lines 1457-1491: El Cid sends a hundred riders to Medinaceli

I’ll speak of the knights that bore his message.

As soon as El Cid de Vivar heard their tidings,

Filled with delight, he revealed his pleasure;

And these were the words that the Cid uttered:

‘From good messengers, we expect good news!

Now, Muño Gustioz, and you Pero Bermúdez,

And Martín Antolínez, true citizen of Burgos,

And you Don Jerónimo, most worthy cleric,

Take a hundred men, equipped for warfare,

Go, pass by Santa Maria in Albarracín,

And ride to Molina, that lies further north.

Avengalvón holds it, my friend and ally.

He’ll accompany you with a hundred more.

Ride to Medina as swiftly as you’re able,

Find my wife and daughters, with Minaya,

For they will be there, as his message says.

Escort them with honour; bring them to me.

I’ll stay in Valencia, which has cost me dearly;

Foolish indeed would I be to leave the city;

I’ll stay in Valencia, which is now my own.

Once he had spoken, they prepared to ride.

And rode as far as they could, without rest,

Passed Albarracín, and halted at Bronchales,

And on the next day they lodged in Molina.

Avengalvón, the Moor, when he heard of this,

Came to greet the knights with words of joy:

‘Do you come from my dearest friend?’ said he,

‘Then be my guests, and so grant me pleasure!’

Now, Muño Gustioz spoke first, hesitating not:

My Cid greets you, and asks that you arrange

An escort of a hundred fine knights to aid us.

His wife and daughters are now in Medina,

And you shall escort them; and bring them here,

Nor part from them till they reach Valencia.’

Said Avengalvón: ‘I’ll so do, and willingly.’

Lines 1492-1537: Minaya rides out to welcome them

That night, the Moor gave a feast for all his guests,

At dawn, on the next morning, they rode forth.

He led out twice the hundred men requested;

They passed the mountains, rugged and high,

They passed Mata de Toranz, without alarm,

And descended the valley of the Arbujuelo.

In Medinaceli, all precautions had been taken.

Minaya Álvar Fáñez had sent two scouts ahead,

Full of courage, who met the advancing party.

One stayed with them; the other knight returned.

‘My Cid has sent forth his men,’ he told Minaya,

‘Pero Bermúdez, Muño Gustioz, who love you,

Martín Antolínez, worthy citizen of Burgos,

And Bishop Don Jerónimo, that loyal cleric,

While the alcaide, Avengalvón, brings others,

For love of the Cid, and to show him honour.

They ride forth together, and will soon be here.’

At once, Minaya called aloud: ‘Let us ride!’

They did so swiftly, for he brooked no delay.

At least a hundred fine-looking men, departed,

On decent mounts, with breast-straps, harness bells,

Neck-armour, and caparisons of taffeta.

Lances the men bore, with fluttering pennons,  

To let the Cid’s troop know it was Álvar Fáñez,

Who’d come from Castile, bringing the ladies.

The scouts who were ranging far, riding ahead,

Raised high their lances, and shouted their joy;

Close by the Jalon, they all sported in delight.

The party El Cid had sent bowed to Minaya;

Avengalvón arrived and, once upon the scene,

Smiling broadly, he rode forward to greet him,

Kissing him on the shoulder, as was his custom.

‘Fair the day when I see Minaya Álvar Fáñez,’

He cried, ‘You honour us with these ladies,

The Cid’s wife, and the daughters of his house;

And we honour you. Such is his good fortune,

There is no way we’d ever seek his harm,

For in peace or war, he claims our allegiance,

And I hold him a fool that thinks otherwise.’

Minaya Álvar Fáñez greeted him with a smile:

‘Ah, Avengalvón, you’re a friend without fail!

If God brings me to the Cid, and I see him well,

You will lose naught for all that you have done,

Let us ride together, and supper will be served.’

Avengalvón replied, ‘My thanks for the pledge;

And I’d grant as much again the very next day.’

Lines 1538-1563: The combined escort journeys to Valencia

They entered Medinaceli, as guests of Minaya.

All were pleased with the supper they received,

Which the king’s courier paid for, as promised;

Honouring El Cid, who’d stayed in Valencia,

With the splendid feast served in Medinaceli.

The king paid for all, and Minaya owed nothing.

When the night was done, and the morning came,

And Mass had been sung, they mounted and rode.

They left Medinaceli, and crossed the Jalón,

Then ascended the Arbujuelo, spurring their steeds,

Before swiftly traversing the plain of Toranz,

To reach Molina, where Avengalvón commanded.

Bishop Don Jerónimo, that unflagging Christian,

Watched over the ladies, by night and by day.

A fine steed, beside him, bearing his weapons,

With Minaya Álvar Fáñez he rode in company.

They entered Molina, a fine town and wealthy;

Avengalvón, the Moor, served them without fail.

Whate’er they desired, naught there was lacking,

Even the horseshoes he’d ordered them paid for.

Lord, how he honoured the ladies, and Minaya!

They rode forth once more, the very next morning,

As far as Valencia, he served them without fail;

The Moor paid for all; of them he asked naught.

In a state of joy, bearing tidings full of honour,

They neared Valencia, but three leagues away.

The End of ‘El Cantar de mío Cid: Part III’