The Poem of the Cid (The Song of the Cid)

The Cid leaves Saragossa, riding east toward the Mediterranean Sea. He conquers Jérica, Onda, and Almenara, among other cities. Taking Murviedro, the Cid is convinced that God is on his side. The people of Moorish Valencia are afraid of his progress and decide to besiege him, surrounding him in Murviedro. The Cid acknowledges their right to attack him but says he will not leave unless his army is defeated in battle. He sends messages to his allies who assemble to help him. He asks them to gather at daybreak to attack the Valencian army. Minaya asks for a hundred soldiers to attack from the side, while the Cid initiates a direct attack. The Moors are taken by surprise, and two of their kings are killed while their army is driven back to Valencia. The Cid collects the spoils of the battle.

His army continues to raid coastal towns and capture roads throughout the region. For three years the Cid “raided and robbed the Moors, / Sleeping by day, marching by night” (87). During this time Valencia does not challenge him as he steals the food from their fields. The people are miserable, but the King of Morocco is distracted by another war and does not help.