| Moorish King |
King of Zaragoza, 1085-1110. Son of Alcamin, Yusuf ibn Ahmad al-Mutamin.
Great-grandson of Al-Mustain I, Sulayman ibn Hud al-Judhami (ruled 1039-1049); grandson of Ahmad ibn Sulayman al-Muqtadir (ruled 1049-1082). He was the last of his line. By becoming a vassal of the Christian Kings, this was one of the last Moorish kingdoms in Spain to fall to the Almoravid fundamentalists.
And when Abencano came to Zaragoza inviting King Almescahen to go and take Valencia, and King Yahia sent also to beg succour at his hands, the King asked the Cid to go with him, and gave him whatever he demanded.
Then the Count sent a letter to the Cid after this fashion: I Count Don Ramon Berenguer of Barcelona, and all my vassals with me, say unto thee, Ruydiez, that we have seen thy letter to King Almescahen of Zaragoza, which thou toldest him to show unto us, that we might have the more cause of quarrel against thee.
And now while thou hast our goods in thy possession as booty, thou sendest thy letter to King Almescahen, saying that we are like our wives.
When the Cid had read this letter he wrote another in reply after this manner: I Ruydiez and my vassals: God save you Count! I have seen your letter in which you tell me that I sent one to King Almescahen of Zaragoza speaking contumeliously of you and of all your vassals; and true it is that I did so speak, and I will tell you for what reason.