The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
Children's literature
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 the
horse 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. 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, 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 Donya Urraca had requested, and that he fled
into other lands, peradventure among the Moors.
In the meantime the Infanta Donya Urraca wrote letters secretly and
sent messengers with them to Toledo to King Don Alfonso, telling him
that King Don Sancho his brother was dead, and had left no heir, and
that he should come as speedily as he could to receive the kingdoms.
As soon as King Don Alfonso arrived at Zamora, he took counsel with
his sister. And the Infanta Donya Urraca, who was a right prudent lady
and a wise, sent letters throughout the land, that a cortes should
assemble and receive him for their lord. And when the Leonese and the
Gallegos knew that their lord King Don Alfonso was come, they were
full joyful, and they came to Zamora and received him for their lord
and king. And afterwards the Castillians arrived, and they of
Navarre, and they also received him for their lord and king, but upon
this condition, that he should swear that he had not taken counsel for
the death of his brother King Don Sancho. Howbeit they did not come
forward to receive the oath, and they kissed his hands in homage, all,
save only Ruydiez, my Cid. And when King Don Alfonso saw that the Cid
did not do homage and kiss his hand, he said, Since now ye have all
received me for your lord, and given me authority over ye, I would
know of the Cid Ruydiez why he will not kiss my hand and acknowledge
me. And the Cid arose and said, Sir, all whom you see here present,
suspect that by your counsel the King Don Sancho your brother came to
his death; and therefore, I say unto you that, unless you clear
yourself of this, as by right you should do, I will never kiss your
hand, nor receive you for my lord. Then said the king, Cid, what you
say pleases me well; and here I swear to God and to St. Mary, that I
never slew him, nor took counsel for his death, neither did it please
me, though he had taken my kingdom from me. And I beseech ye therefore
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