The Poem of the Cid

the long version

Students of Spanish literature have long been familiar with this 800-year-old epic, which details the legendary exploits of the soldier-adventurer Ruy Diaz of Bivar, el Cid, and his part in the long struggle between Christianity and Islam. This epic poem recounts of the adventures of el Cid, his peerless steed, Babieca, and of his two famous swords, Colada and Tizon; of his wife, Doña Ximena, and his two daughters, Doña Elvira and Doña Sol, who find sanctuary with Abbot Don Sancho in the monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña during the Cid's exile; and of the despicable and black-hearted princes of Carrion, Diego and Fernando Gonzalez.