History Extra podcast El Cid: life of the week
12 snips
Sep 8, 2025 Nora Berend, a Professor of European History at St. Catherine's College, Cambridge, delves into the life of El Cid, the 11th-century warrior known for his complex loyalties. She reveals the rugged political landscape of the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquista and explores El Cid's opportunism amidst shifting alliances between Christian and Muslim rulers. The conversation also highlights contrasting views of him as a hero and villain, the significant roles of women in medieval history, and the evolving legacy of El Cid in Spain.
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Rise Of A Semi-Independent Noble
- Rodrigo Díaz rose as a powerful noble who built an independent military retinue and revenue base.
- His growing autonomy led to clashes with kings and two exiles before he carved out Valencia for himself.
A Fragmented, Opportunistic Iberia
- 11th-century Iberia was politically fragmented with Muslim taifas and shifting alliances.
- Christians and Muslims both raided, allied and fought, creating opportunities for opportunistic warriors.
Complex Vassalage, Not Simple Betrayal
- Rodrigo's relationship with Alfonso VI oscillated between service and rupture due to political rivalries and self-interest.
- Exiles reflect nobles acting on personal advantage rather than pure loyalty or treason narratives from later myths.
