As portrayed by Michael Hordern in El Cid
| Diego Laynez As portrayed by Michael Hordern in El Cid |
Died 1058 or 1060. Scion of the Flain clan; father of the Cid, husband of Dona Teresa Rodriguez. Probably a leader of an uprising of certain Leonoese nobles against King Ferrando in 1060, resulting in loss of his estates and possibly his death.
He took to wife Dona Teresa Rodriguez, the daughter of Don Rodrigo Alvarez, Count and Governor of Asturias, and had by her Rodrigo, who would become the Cid. Diego Laynez was descended from Layn Calvo. His father was Flain Munoz or Nunez (died circa 1000); his grandfather Munio Flainez or Nuno Flainez (Count ca 960; married to Froiloba Vermudez de Cea); his great-grandfather Flain Fernandez (Count ca 932); and great-great-grandfather Fernando Flainez. The purported mythical ancestor Layn or Flain Calvo was an attempt by the author of the poem to connect the dynasty with a Castillian origin, and did not exist.
From Nuno Rasuera King Don Ferrando descended, and from Layn Calvo, Diego Laynez, who took to wife Dona Teresa Rodriguez, the daughter of Don Rodrigo Alvarez, Count and Governor of Asturias, and had by her this Rodrigo.
In the year of the Incarnation 1026 was Rodrigo born, of this noble lineage, in the city of Burgos, and in the street of St. Martin, hard by the palace of the Counts of Castille, where Diego Laynez had his dwelling.
At this time it came to pass that there was strife between Count Don Gomez the Lord of Gormaz, and Diego Laynez the father of Rodrigo; and the Count insulted Diego and gave him a blow.
Now Diego was a man in years, and his strength had passed from him, so that he could not take vengeance, and he retired to his home to dwell there in solitude and lament over his dishonour.
After this Diego being full of years fell asleep and was gathered to his fathers.
I have seen my father Diego Laynez, and Diego Rodriguez my son; and every time they say to me, You have tarried long here, let us go now among the people who endure for ever.