Alfonso As portrayed by John Fraser in El Cid

When Don Arias Gonzalo, in great rage and in great trouble called for his son Rodrigo Arias, who was a good knight, right hardy and valiant, the elder of all the brethren; he had been in many a tournament, and with good fortune.

And Don Arias said unto him, Son, go now and do battle with Diego Ordonez, to save Dona Urraca your Lady, and yourself, and the Council of Zamora; and if you do this, in happy hour were you born.

Then Rodrigo Arias kissed his hand and answered, Father, I thank you much for what you have said, and be sure that I will save them, or take my death.

And he took his arms and mounted, and his father gave him his blessing, and went with him to the lists; and the judges took his reins and led him in.

And when the judges were gone out, they twain ran at each other, and Don Diego missed his blow, but Rodrigo Arias did not miss, for he gave him so great a stroke with the lance that it pierced through the shield, and broke the saddle-bow behind, and made him lose his stirrups, and he embraced the neck of his horse.

But albeit that Don Diego was sorely bested with that stroke, he took heart presently, and went bravely against him, and dealt him so great a blow that he broke the lance in him; for it went through the shield and all his other arms, and great part of the lance remained in his flesh.

After this they laid hand to sword, and gave each to the other great blows, and great wounds with them.

And Rodrigo Arias gave so great a wound to Diego Ordonez, that he cut his left arm through to the bone.

And Don Diego Ordonez, when he felt himself so sorely wounded, went against Rodrigo Arias and delivered him a blow upon the head which cut through the helmet and the hood of the mail, and entered into his head.

When Rodrigo Arias felt himself wounded to death, he let go the reins and took his sword in both hands, and gave so great a blow to the horse of Don Diego that he cut his head open.

And the horse in his agony ran out of the lists, and carried Don Diego out also, and there died.

And Rodrigo Arias fell dead as he was following him.

Then Don Diego Ordonez would have returned into the field to do battle with the other two, but the judges would not permit this, neither did they think good to decide whether they of Zamora were overcome in this third duel or not.

And in this manner the thing was left undecided.

Nevertheless, though no sentence was given, there remained no infamy upon the people of Zamora.

But better had it been for Don Arias Gonzalo if he had given up Vellido to the Castillians, that he might have died the death of a traitor; he would not then have lost these three sons, who died like good men, in their duty.

Now what was the end of Vellido the history sayeth not, through the default of the Chroniclers; but it is to be believed, that because the impeachment was not made within three days, Don Arias Gonzalo thrust him out of the town as Dona Urraca had requested, and that he fled into other lands, peradventure among the Moors.

And though it may be that he escaped punishment in this world, yet certes he could not escape it in hell, where he is tormented with Dathan and Abiram, and with Judas the Traitor, for ever and ever.