El Cid

My name is Rodrigo Díaz.

I was born in Vivar,

on the border of the kingdoms of Castile, Aragón and Navarre.

Three brothers occupied their thrones.

In fratricidal wars, they fought for tributes from the taifa kings,

weakened after the fall of the Córdoba Caliphate.

My father died fighting for Fernando I,

King of León and Castile.

He left me a sword as his legacy.

With this sword,

today, I have reached glory.

But when I fall in battle,

I'm sure no one will remember my name.

Just as no one remembers my father's.

Champion!

Champion! Champion! Champion!

VIVAR. 11TH CENTURY

Ruy is coming with me to León.

I've lost my husband, Father.

Now you want me to lose my son too.

Do you want to stay here?

Or come with me to be a knight?

-He's only 12. -I was a page at 10.

His father just died!

You want the same for him?

Guarding the border?

-King Fernando sent him here. -For 15 years!

Ruy is coming with me.

-And I'm taking this. -No!

-It was my father's! -You'll have it when you're worthy.

Ruy.

Don't worry,

I'll give you a much more powerful weapon.

Take this cross.

Keep it with you, son.

It will protect you always.

LEÓN: CAPITAL OF THE KINGDOM

This is where you will start as a page.

Come on.

Come on, boy!

Well done, son. You'll soon be a knight of the realm.

Don't put false hopes into his little head.

Damn you, Ruy.

How did you know it?

-I have a good memory. -That will take you far.

Hopefully to a knighthood.

You have to be a squire first.

And until that day comes, take care of these.

She's already been whipped for manipulating the measurements.

When we went to her house, she was tampering with the scales again.

What is your judgment, Sancho?

-Have her beaten again. -If she does it again?

Hang her and make an example of her.

Father, may I?

Were her doors forced open?

She wouldn't open them.

In that case, she must not be whipped.

Law states that not even the king's officials may enter a house by force.

And your husband? Was he in the fields?

Yes, Your Highness.

No woman can be arrested in her husband's absence.

So says our charter.

-She's free to go. -Thank you, Your Royal Highness.

Learn from your brother, Sancho.

Ruy!

Jimena!

You haven't forgotten me.

How could I forget you?

You've changed.

Still talking to the birds?

Get away from my fiancée!

-Go clean your stable. -Stop.

Teach your grandson his place!

Come on.

You're really happy I'm back, I see.

I'm sorry.

A good warrior saves his strength for the battles he can win.

I would win, Grandfather.

Why provoke the Count of León's son?

-Should I just bow my head? -Stay away from Jimena!

-Jimena and I are fr-- -Are nothing!

And Jimena is a lady,

so treat her like one.

I couldn't wait to see you.

Jimena?

Lady Elvira.

How wonderful, you've returned from Asturias!

-Lady Urraca. -The lovely Jimena.

You were quick to flirt with your fiancé.

Come, we have some catching up to do.

You look so beautiful.

A papal bull will be issued.

My lady will be able to take her rightful place.

She will be the rightful queen of León.

In exchange for what?

Initiating a war against God's enemies.

Everything is ready.

Have you spoken to King Ramiro?

Aragón is with us.

And Navarre will support our cause.

The joust is the perfect time.

The presence of Ramiro and his troops will seal the deal.

All of León's nobility is with you.

They will rise up against King Fernando.

My husband must not die.

He must return to Castile.

My lady,

King Fernando has forgotten his duties as a prince of Christendom.

He would rather accept infidel gold

than recover Toledo or Zaragoza.

I agreed on one condition.

No blood would be spilled, least of all Fernando's.

As you command, Your Majesty.

My children cannot be harmed.

We're worried about Sancho.

He'll never accept it.

I'll take care of Sancho.

We're surrounded by pages.

With so many handsome young men around,

there must be one you like.

Elvira?

I'll take whoever our parents choose.

And so will you.

Of course.

What do we know? It's not like we have eyes or anything.

I just hope I get a very handsome prince.

Or a toothless old man.

Whatever suits Father and the kingdom.

Cloth!

Not you!

I prefer Jimena.

Tell me, Jimena.

When were you betrothed?

I was 10.

I like Orduño. So good-looking.

And the son of a count, too!

Not a bad lineage.

For a non-princess.

Thank you, my lady.

And tell me,

has his dagger pierced your plum?

-My lady! -What?

I have never committed that sin.

Poor Orduño.

His parts must feel like he's been stung by a dozen wasps.

You know you're getting a good deal.

It's better than that loser, Ruy, anyway.

Elvira, for God's sake, not Ruy!

He doesn't have enough land for his own grave.

Attention, everybody!

Welcome Lisardo, the new page.

Ruy, look after him.

I'm a squire.

And I'm in charge here.

Go help with the bedding for the horses.

Yes, my lord.

Don't worry.

He may seem foolish now,

but after a week, you'll see he's a complete moron.

I'll be right with you.

After my boys finish their work.

Somebody get me a horse.

Lady Urraca.

I am to be knighted in a few days.

I only ask one favor.

Will you be my patroness and buckle my spurs?

With pleasure.

My ladies,

we pages bow at your feet.

A mere page like you

should not speak to distinguished ladies.

Orduño,

a lady needs more than words...

Yes. Yes, yes, yes.

-Orduño! -Sire!

Like master, like servant.

You've spoiled Ruy so much, he even disrespects your sisters.

He only bowed. As Vellido did with you.

Vellido is to be knighted.

Ruy is just a page.

That can be remedied.

Come here, Ruy.

As of today, I'm appointing you my new squire.

Really?

Just like that?

What do you want? A pat on the back?

All right. There you go.

My Ladies,

the pages and a new squire bow at your feet.

Never disrespect me again, you son of a bitch.

Sancho and your grandfather can't protect you.

That's right, go!

Hide in a hole like your father.

My teeth.

Leave us alone.

You'll bathe me like when I was little?

You'll always be little to me.

Even if you're not a child.

You're a real prince.

Yes.