Mozarabic church © Mark Wade

In those days Pope Victor II held a council at Florence, and the Emperor Henry there made his complaint against King Don Ferrando, that he did not acknowledge his sovereignty, and pay him tribute like all other Kings; and he besought the Pope to admonish him so to do.

And the Pope being a German, and the friend of Henry, sent to the King to admonish him, and told him that unless he obeyed he would proclaim a crusade against him; and in like manner the Emperor, and the King of France, and the other Kings, sent to exhort him to obedience, defying him if he should refuse.

When the King saw their letters he was troubled, for he knew that if this thing were done, great evil would follow to Castille and Leon.

And he took counsel with his honourable men.

They seeing on the one hand the great power of the Church, and on the other the great evil that it would be if Castille and Leon should be made tributary, knew not what counsel to give; howbeit at length they said to him that he should do the Pope's bidding.

At this council the Cid was not present, for he had lately completed his marriage with Dona Ximena Gomez, and was then with her; but at this time he arrived, and the King showed him the letters, and told him the matter how it then stood, and what had been the advice of his good men, and besought him to speak his advice, as a good and true vassal to his Lord.

When the Cid heard what had passed it grieved him to the heart, more for the counsel which had been given to the King, than because of the Pope's commands; and he turned to the King and said, In an ill day, Sir, were you born in Spain, if it be in your time to be made tributary, which it never was before; for all the honour which God hath given you, and whatever good he hath done to you, is lost if it should be so.

And, Sir, whoever hath given you this counsel is not a true man, neither one who regardeth your honour nor your power.

But send to defy them since they will have it so, and let us carry the war home to them.

You shall take with you five thousand knights, all of whom are hidalgos, and the Moorish Kings who are your vassals will give you two thousand knights; and, Sir, you are such a one as God loves, and he will not that your honour should perish.

And the King thought that he was well counselled by him, for the King was of a great heart.