El Cid

Set in the 11th century during the Reconquista, a period of shifting loyalties, dramatic sieges, and legendary knights. It features the Almoravid influence from North Africa and the volatile politics of Castile as rival claimants vie for power.

The story unfolds across Moorish-ruled Iberia and Christian Castile, with key action taking place in frontier towns like Calahorra and the port of Valencia. The narrative moves between Spain and the Maghreb, capturing the ongoing clash between Muslim emirs and Christian kings on the Iberian Peninsula.

🛡️ Honor & Loyalty

Rodrigo embodies a strict code of knighthood, defending the king’s heirs and showing mercy to enemies when it serves a greater good. His decisions are driven by duty to kingdom and family, even as they test personal bonds, especially with Chimene.

⚔️ War & Strategy

The narrative centers on sieges, single-combat duels, and shifting alliances that define 11th-century warfare. Rodrigo’s tactical skill and bold choices shape the defense of Castile and the fate of Valencia against larger invading forces.

❤️ Love & Sacrifice

Chimene’s divided loyalties between love and vengeance illustrate how romance can be entangled with political duty. The relationship with Rodrigo evolves from betrothal to exile, highlighting personal sacrifice amid the era’s turbulent power dynamics.