Tales of the valiant; El Cid

The following program was originally released in 1956. These were the value. From the four corners of the York University of Michigan brings you tales of the greatest national heroes of all time. As of about. A transcribed series of historic Avengers produced by the broadcasting service of the University of Michigan under a grant from the educational TV and radio center in cooperation with the National Association of educational broadcasters. Today the story of LCD cumbia door. This is the story of Dawn of the bar known to his countrymen

as Elsie come Theodore which means the Lord champion hero of Spain in the eleventh century the land of Castillo fought for survival against the moon. The feats of valor by Elsie won him a reputation as the mightiest warrior of ancient Spain. But now LCD has become a legend a man of incredible bravery and unswerving loyalty to his game. Some of the legends about his feats have been freely adapted and combined in order to permit the telling of a sustained story. We begin in Spain of the 11th century a soldier galloped his horse along the dusty road toward the Spanish capital. His face is caked with dirt. Blood is spattered over his armor. But his eyes blazed with a light of victory. I must see the King. What is your business. I'm a lot of fun years aid to the Kings General Dannatt is the seed I bring news of the battles a messenger from the sea. It is the King's orders that you are to have an immediate audience.

Guard sound the trumpets. When you add where you are from the seed come forward about a minute your Majesty I bring you greetings from your vast archives of on of on us we will dispense with ceremony at the park now and quickly because what is your report. I am already Vanessa Majesty as you know the more's march from the south to the very borders of custody. Their armies threaten your dominion says I know that guy. I want to know why what has happened. My lord Elsie had come Theodore march to our defense. Of course I gave him his orders to the point now what happened in the battle ended gloriously all night as the enemy was conquered and forced to flee from the field. His caravans have been taken by the sea. And what did the caravans were rich with Treasure your mental Herrick's and under siege has distributed the Moorish gold and silver to all who needed it.

He has given it away. The poor the needy have enjoyed the fruits of the Lord's benevolence in the way it is this most generous warrior now. He is outside the city awaiting the king's orders. We shall enter the city in triumph. You shall hear the cheers of a grateful monarch and people your Majesty if I may speak no longer see you sit silently for so long and then suddenly your voice is in my ear a thousand pardons Your Majesty but I would speak with you in a moment after I have dealt with the seed's messenger. What I have to say concerns this messenger and his master and cousin proceed. Speak then. My words are for your ears alone. Is privacy absolutely necessary. I must respectfully insist and anywhere on yours you have heard the request. Don't don't yes I shall retire until you hate me. He has gone on the ACA but I do not understand why you cannot speak before a loyal servant of the King. On the contrary I consider him nothing better than a spy. Well but

he is the right hand man of my first general to see that that is it exactly. What have you to say regarding my loyal vassal. York using this seat of treachery I would not dare so grave an accusation unless I were sure. I have long suspected that he plotted treason but until today there were doubts. Now I am certain the seed a traitor. How can you suspect this. It was the giving away of the movie's treasure Yast that surprised me so much benevolence was not quite calling for war yet Eros and it does not make a man a traitor. Have you considered his motive. What do you mean. Why would a man give away a fortune is it not clear to you Your Majesty. He had one aim of course to win the people completely to ingratiate himself with him. Thanks though I am certain of it. Already he stands for most of all your generals whose name is on every lip.

Is it yours. No no fun soaking of caste you know your people shout instead the name of Elsie come PR. You are right he is not contented his feats have won him the admiration of every Spaniard. Now he would bind them to him with the gold star I fear there is much in what you see. You will wait until the moment is ripe that he were toppled a crown from your head and place it on his own. The vile traitor. What are we to do we must not wait until the blow falls. We were right. We must act immediately but do what. Banish him Your Majesty before it is too late. But what if the people don't go see you know where they stand by and see their hero disgraced idea threatened with the direst penalties any who dare aid him. Remember YOU ARE THE KING OF COURSE I'M THE KING. You prepare the orders don't go CIA and book claim them from every public square. The traitorous sieges henceforth banished and none shall give him aid nor shelter.

May I compliment your Majesty for your profound wisdom and judgment. You have struck a timely blow for Spain and for the crown. You'll eat the. Euro. Why my beard is this my reward for victory banishment from cus to you it is the king's order. That's accusation of treachery is completely false I know. Never was a boss or more faithful to his king. All know this except the cane. There is mystery here. Tell me what transpired at the course I told the king of your great victory my lord. His eyes glowed with admiration. It was then that the count down Garcia spoke to him in great secret order the same. That is the answer to this and what happened. I was asked to withdraw while the king held audience with Don Garcia. When I returned

the king's friendliness was gone with cold hatred. He condemned me as a spy and ordered me to thrust into prison. Finally I was released to bring you this proclamation and I know now what happened to fill the king's ears with poison regarding me. He is your enemy and he has hated me ever since I bested him what will you do. I shall follow the king's orders. Will you meekly accept banishment. Not meekly perhaps but I shall accept it. But the people are with you if you decide on yes. Are you suggesting that I resist the King's orders yes then I would be guilty of the berry thing of which he accuses me of treason. Perhaps that is done Garcias hope a cane like this did not deserve your loyalty it is not the man to whom I owe allegiance but his crown. I am his vassal and I will obey but the lands beyond question are filled with hordes of Muslim would take pleasure in my destruction and my troops follow me into exile. 300 may follow if they choose but not a man more. This also was the king's order three hundred face movers by the thousands.

Will any commie will clamor to follow you my lord my brave soldiers. I must arm them as they never were armed before for that you need money my lord and no man can aid you or he loses his house his eyes from his face and finally his life. You are right and we could use that murderous treasure now if their chests were piled over there are no empty treasure chests. I have an idea what has come with me to the treasure chest. Here they are on the lot but of what value is an empty treasure chest. I want the most beautiful one of all there. That one covered with guilt and velvet helped me look good out. There now quickly fill it with sand and stone. No I do not talk.

Work. Their heads follow now don't with a covered and lock it. Try looking at now my friend. Yeah yeah right. Tis heavy as heavy as the Moore's plates were still in it. Exactly. I don't understand a lot. You are to go to the market place of the city spread the rumor that a seed has one of the movers treasure chests completely full of sun. Big careful you do not say that say only that it is for the rumor mongers do the rest. What can this accomplish and which will find out. We are putting out based my good cousin. We shall wait to see whether any fish rises to strike for it. Come to your door. Well you I think we have our fish out. Can you see who it

is. It looks like don't got to see it himself but it can't be here. I think it is. What would he be doing here. Garcia has a big heart. There is room in it for both the vengeance and greed. Calling don't go this way. It's going to get off. Is that you and the nice talk as I did not expect to see you you'll understand oh see that will visit you I risk my house the eyes in my face. Yes even my life. I have read the King's proclamation of course may express my deepest sympathies and your misfortune. I accept your condolences in the spirit in which they were given my daughter. Rumors it is said in the marketplace I have heard that is is that what you want to see. Look. The treasure chest is a thing of beauty. You are a sly one my lord. I could scarcely believe you would give them all away. Is it really full as the rumors say.

Try lifting it. Yes. Completely false. Do you think I would find what is in this chest useful. I do not know your knees don't go see it but you might find it useful. I have seen the plate rich with gold and jewels. I heard no rattle when I lifted the chest I guarantee you it is very tightly packed. Yes of course goot excellent. But my lord you cannot carry as heavy a chest as this away into exile. It would be difficult. It is in my heart to help you in my unfortunate brother in arms. You cannot carry this chest but you could carry money. Do you understand that in making this offer I am risking your house. The eyes in your face yes even your life. I understand that Don Garcia. I will take the risk. Three hundred pieces of silver. Your are generous don't go see. But there is risk in this for me too. If the King hears of this treasure chest. I will

face the danger if you match this silver with 300 pieces of gold. You drive a stiff bargain. Can I be sure that this is authentic a Moorish treasure. I guarantee you the chest is genuine. I'll take it. Here is your gold is there. There is just one other thing. What is it now to safeguard my life and yours. This chest must be kept closed for at least a year by that time I may have won back the king's favor. You mean I cannot open this chest. Not for one year to seal the bargain I must ask you to sign a parchment pledging yourself this is nonsense and I must return your gold and silver and keep the chest. All right a sign. After all it was to help you that I came not to get the chests. I am sure I understand your motives don't Garcia. Where is the parchment. Here and the quill. There it is sign we will help you carry the chest to your carriage.

Now all of our help is with the Jessie. Well do you see. There goes my vindictive and greedy friend the Count. I don't see how leaving behind enough gold and silver to buy arms for all our men should like to see the Count's face tonight when he opens that chest and sees nothing but sand and stone. But he has sworn to keep it closed to you. His greed will not let him wait. He will open the chest tonight I'm sure of that he pledged his word and it is clear that you have more faith in don't Garcias Where than I have. But if you knew he would open the chest anyway. Why did you have him sign the parchment that was for another reason. I shall fold this parchment with his signature and keep it in my doublet tonight we buy arms for our men. Tomorrow we ride out to meet the mowers.

Speak low about 10 years and mores are before us. Their spies may be in our midst. If you sent a man for what your tonnage Martine I'm telling you it's you scouting their writings. I'm expecting I hearing not to speak to passwords that generous heart of God see. Yes it is Martine come forward to your password is most appropriate. We must not forget the man who provided arms for our troops. Martin you are back safely. I was never in danger. The move was allowed by their camp fires. Quite without fear and I know they think you are dead dead in one of our men carry that rumors out some weeks ago.

I'm pleased to hear that he has been successful. But why do you wish them to think you did not explain later. First Martine your report how many of the enemy are there there must be thousands thousands and we have a 301 of their plan. They're marching to cut steel to conquer and plunder our land this is the evil villain Don Garcia has brought upon our country. Do they know we are here I suspect a small force in the mountains but with the sea dead they have no fear in much of the scenery to reappear. Not once but twice. I do not understand my God if we were to thunder down on him reading not 300 but hours they would turn and run like frightened rabbits. My lord we are about 300 and there is but one seed is there. Look there in my tent I see nothing. What do you see. Like I see you my lord. But that's impossible in this dim light even you were fooled my good friend watch with a move or see. They will think they see the sea. How did you do it. Some sticks of wood on the frame. There is padding and cloth to cover it in

a rich red tapestry to suggest my red beard. How can we use this object this is my plan. We were divide our forces. I would lead to half of our men to the west. You Elvira Martine will lead the rest to the east. Taking this figure with you you Elvira will tie this figure of the seed before you and the horse at the rising of the sun. We will charge together you from the east. I have from the West understand now the more as we look up to see our dead men advancing on them from two directions at once like my lord. You said you would leave thousands. We are still only three hundred not to the movers eyes you see these blocks of void. Yes each horse drag a block of wood behind it. We will string out our forces in a long line. When we charge the movers will see nothing but the dust that might be made by a. I was and man the seed leading them on that Dawn is not far off. We have much to do. Only we stand between the movers and the forecast you and the crown.

We must ride to victory. It is almost dawn I can see the glow of the sun on the mountain tops is the figure tied fast. It is lashed tight. Look at the shadow with rollers gigantic like the seed this morning sun. I could almost believe it is the seed himself. What shot to the west know when the seed charges you will see the dust rise that's your signal. Look to the west I see. Yes it is that dust of earth. A thousand men to see charges began. Now we must ride from the east. Attention man for what. What can you say oh

this is interesting this is going to be a long speech with a speech almost give you a seat can you find a seat. Yes I see you know. And behind him is that just about all the boys see him I can see them stiffened with surprise and the plan is working this way. They behold the thank you. I can see the lights. And the terror he's among them. He's sort of like a streak of light there for like a week before the side. You know they turn. And run. Because we will win over the country will be ours. Our 300 will. Be. There. There were these many weeks but there was no word what he was much displeased

pouring out poison regarding. But you have one great victory. Your feet crushed persuades the victories to advance my own fortunes. I know that I am his humble vassal. Service has brought much reward. I learned that lesson. Perhaps the way to the kings heart Stillers. I hear it is a lot of fun yes. He's waving a parchment aloft and the result smile on his face. I bring good news a parchment in your hand it is a proclamation of the king ending your banishment. You are instructed to re-enter Castille to receive the homage of a grateful people. Fortune smiles on me at last. How did the king relent with each gift of beauty he grew a little less grim when he saw your gift of

two hundred horses he broke into smiles and offered you return. Whatever Garcia his face grew blacker as the king's anger against you melted. He argued and just tick you waited. But finally the King turned from him and signed a proclamation. Garcia has lost the King's name I fear not. He was at the King's side when he left. Pouring out more poison no doubt this is an evil man his malicious words brought the crown and cast to your mirror to destruction. My liege lord save file don't Garcias at his side. What can you do. How I have saved my King from the movers. I must save him now from his evil counsellor. Look. At the sound of the trumpet you will enter his presence I am ready because another hour. Have you seen Dawn Garcia.

He is with the king even knows if you hated me before but mustard few are forming now. Steve thanks. Get. Your daughter as a lieutenant. Yes. It then sprays. But. All right. I ask your grace my rightful lord before this multitude I ask forgiveness. I cried you pardon with all my heart. Your banishment henceforth you are welcome in my kingdom. I thank my crew for this forgiveness. I'm George gentle heart my lord Alfonso in banishing you. I did you will. And yet you have done me nothing but good. Your valiant soloed has defeated the morning show hosts My kingdom is safe. It was a lucky hour for me when you good on your song it is my wish to serve my king as long as I live.

You have served me with the spoils of war also. Oh such horses these morons breed. I have not sent to you has been given to the poor. You are giving away treasure or in your name good King Alfonso and my people hail you generous monarch they praise your name in the streets. They do. I commend you for BT and serving your subjects in general deserve your praise my lord in the hour of your anger you ordered your subjects to turn their faces from me nor suffer the penalty of losing their houses the ice from their faces. Yes even their lives. Yeah I remember all your subjects. No one disobeyed he sits now. All right ham. Don't cuss here he lied. I speak the truth. He aged me was 600 gold and silver pieces you have no proof to whom Garcia suggested your banishment but he brought the proclamation. Why would he offer you aid. Your Majesty. Read this

parchment with his own hand. Don't Garcia's bargain. What's this. Why you you bartered for a mortician treasure chase your Majesty how you kept this treasure chest to yourself. More important sire. He disobeyed your order. Yes of course. You violated your king's command. What was the penalty you yourself devise to lose your house. The eyes from your face. Yes even you will leave. Have mercy Your Majesty. There can be no mercy for a greedy and disobedient subject does not treasure I bought but sand. See him. He tricked me he tricked himself Your Majesty. You paid six hundred gold and silver pieces for a box of saddle. You were not onely disobedient but a fool. Let the sentence be carried out. I have never said I was the one who benefited from his disobedience and his

greed. Commutation of his sentence. What do you suggest that his penalty be reduced to banishment. Appropriate it should be done. I faced exile over 600 gold and silver pieces. You shall do the same. There is no money for envy your forgiving heart. All men should praise your mighty feats in battle. You have saved us from the last great reward. There was an even greater danger than the MU is my lord. But now the crown and cast are safe. That is my reward. I am content. We wish to acknowledge the aide of Professor wholly on Mario's of the Institute of the humanities in

Madrid Spain in the preparation of the story. And now here is Francisco ground a student from Spain attending the University of Michigan to speak on behalf of Professor Mahdi us. The study you have just heard is about a man who actually lived in Spain during the middle ages. Yes the theat or seeth as some call him is a real person. The studies of his feats have been added to and embellished so that late that it was difficult to know where fact ends and fiction begins. But recent historical research has discovered that the main piece of a Spanish party in the Middle Ages the content of the NIA theat from the 12th century contains much truth about the theat and was written with amazing accuracy. All the legends and stories concerning the deeds of the thief. Even if intestate belonged however to his traditional and literary figure of this most attractive character the thief lives in the mind of the Spaniards is

both imagination and he started called reality. So our tale today was freely adapted from these lessons substantially true to permeate the telling of a sustained story the story of a strong humane hero full of poise and friendliness whom the Spanish people revere seems more than 800 years at theat. The University of Michigan has presented tales of the valiant and other in the transcribe series about great national heroes throughout the world. The story of L. senior national hero Spain was written by Yuri Willis and produced under a grant from the Educational Television and Radio Center heard on the program where Steven Nelson the Bob Rinehart John Sergeant Clarence Stevens and an don street. Consultants were Professor Sanchez he is prebuttal on the University of Michigan and professor who

was on the Institute of the humanities in Madrid Spain. Editorial supervision by William Bender Jr. direction by Edward stature on the broadcasting service of the University of Michigan. Bill thank you speaking this program is distributed by the National Association of educational broadcasting. Originally released in 1956 the program you've just heard from the program library of National Public Radio.