El Cid: The True Story of Spain's Greatest Hero

Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar known as El Cid is called the greatest knight in history and master of the battlefield. He became icon not only for his feats of arms but also his many virtues. Widely regarded as the ideal medieval knight, he was strong and brave in battle, and just and pious in peace. He was respected by his enemies and loved by the loyal knights who flocked to his banner.

In the centuries since his death, the life and deeds of Rodrigo were told and retold, until his story grew into legend. But if he’s a symbol of the Reconquista, - the long reconquest of Iberia from the Moors - why did he spend part of his career fighting for Muslim rulers? This is the incredible story of Spain’s greatest hero, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the Campeador, the knight known to history as El Cid.

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*Video Chapters*

00:00 The Life of El Cid
02:08 Part 1 Rodrigo Diaz
13:09 Part 2 The Campeador
25:46 Part 3 El Cid
35:11 Part 4 Prince of Valencia

[DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching. Please do hit "like" on the video, it really helps me out.
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!

[jackmorrison]

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

[jon]

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

[Boric]

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.

[isabelrodriguez]

There are hundreds of great heroes in the History of Spain, wich is the History of the world, throughout the centuries.
El Cid is one of them.

[midoribushi]

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!

[williamromine]

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.

[dianabriggs]

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…”

[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.

[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.

[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.

[AnkurSharma-gpes]

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

[ItzJustHistory]

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

[davidalvarez]

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

[fartz]

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...

[brawndothethirstmutilator]

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.

[uncletiggermclaren]

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

[benmcseveny]

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

[karenzak]

Fascinating history and well presented. Thank you!