Rodrigo Diaz Vivar (1040-1099) first served as a general under Sancho II until the king was murdered. Suspicion had fallen upon his successor King Alfonso VI. According to the legends, El Cid had made him swear an oath that he had nothing to do with the assassination of his brother. He was later forced into exile and became a mercenary at the head of his own combined Christian/Muslim army. He even fought for the Moors before being recalled to fight for a now threatened King Alfonso.
El Cid was born into minor nobility, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar was raised in a royal household and was appointed the standard-bearer and commander of troops by Sancho II. Fighting for Sancho against Sancho's brother, Alfonso, would prove awkward to Díaz when Sancho died childless and Alfonso became king. Though he lost some prestige, he married Alfonso's niece, Jimena; and, despite his presence serving as a magnet for Alfonso's opponents, Díaz served loyally for several years. Then, after leading an unauthorized raid into Toledo, Díaz was exiled. El Cid displayed remarkable military ability in his conquest of Valencia, which he successfully captured in 1094 and ruled in Alfonso's name until he died.
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