The Lion of Castile: El Cid's Path to Power

In this episode of the DWS podcast, we go back and examine not only El Cid’s early military career in more detail but also analyze and unpack the politically fraught situation that would inevitably led to Civil War between the Castilian royal family. El Cid is a vassal, friend, and battlefield comrade to King Sancho, the eldest brother. Because of his natural and deadly talent, Rodrigo Diaz earns the name “Campeador” and nearly everyone across the Iberian has heard of his military exploits and moreover when the enemy sees or hears that he is present on the battlefield they very often take flight.
Just as the war was ending, King Sancho is assassinated, and El Cid eventually finds himself adrift in foreign lands working as a sword-for-hire. He has only one choice: in order to survive he must fight.

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00:00 – Intro
01:09 – Sponsor Read DAC Tents
01:40 – The Cid’s Early Life, Castile and Political Environment
04:46 – Castile Nobility and Warrior Classes
07:29 – Castile-Leon Political Landscape
15:15 – Rodrigo Diaz Knighted
18:15 – Ferdinand I Dies and His Sons Inherit the Empire
21:00 – Duties of a Knight in Spain
22:50 – Castilian Civil War Begins
36:10 – Sancho Becomes Emperor King of Castile Leon
42:05 – Alfonso VI Becomes King of Castile Leon
49:18 – El Cid is Exiled From Castile and Alfonso’s Court
51:50 – El Cid Joins al-Mu’tamin’s Court
56:10 – El Cid and al-Mu’tamin Prepare for War
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