XI. That night the Cid took counsel with Alvar Fañez, who departed not
from his side, and with the other honourable men who were of his
council, concerning what should be done: for now that his people were
all rich, he feared least they should return into their own country,
for my Cid saw that if they might go they would. And Minaya advised him
that he should cause proclamation to be made through the city, that no
man should depart without permission of the Cid, and if any one went
who had not dispeeded himself and kist his hand, if he were overtaken
he should lose all that he had, and moreover be fixed upon a stake. And
that they might be the more certain, he said unto Minaya that he would
take account of all the people who were with him, both horsemen and
foot, and Pero Bermudez and Martin Antolinez made the roll; and there
were found a thousand knights of lineage, and five hundred and fifty
other horsemen, and of foot soldiers four thousand, besides boys and
others; thus many were the people of my Cid, he of Bivar. And his heart
rejoiced, and he smiled and said, Thanks be to God, Minaya, and to Holy
Mary Mother!...we had a smaller company when we left the house of
Bivar!
XII. At this time there came a crowned one from the parts of the East,
that is to say, one who was shaven and shorn; his name was the Bishop
Don Hieronymo, a full learned man and a wise, and one who was mighty
both on horseback and a-foot: and he came enquiring for the Cid,
wishing that he might see himself with the Moors in the field, for if
he could once have his fill of smiting and slaying them, Christians
should never lament him. And when the Cid knew this it pleased him in
his heart, and he took horse and went to visit him, and rejoiced
greatly that he was come; and he resolved to make Valencia a bishopric
and give it to this good Christian. And they took counsel, and it was
that on the morrow the Bishop and his clergy should turn the Mosques
into Churches, wherein they might sing masses, and sacrifice the body
of Jesus Christ. And rents were appointed for the table of the Bishop
and for his Canons, and for all the clergy in the city of Valencia. And
nine parish Churches were made. And the greatest was called St.
Pedro's, and another was called St. Mary of the Virtues. This was near
the Alcazar, and there the Cid went oftenest to hear service. After
this manner the Cid ordered his city that it should be a Bishopric, for
the honour of the Catholic faith. God! how joyful was all Christendom
that there was a Lord Bishop in the land of Valencia!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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