Swords of El Cid by Tom Hill

Author:Tom Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: El Cid, sword, spain, medievil, moor, muslim, christian
ISBN: 9781783336517
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2014
Published: 2014-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

1092 - Abeniaf the Murderer

Abenalfarax the Cid’s governor was also terrified of the Almoravid advance and did not know what to do, even Yahia who was the Emir of Valencia stayed locked in his house, in fear. So the Cid’s governor went to Yahia and advised him that they should take their possessions and go to a castle where they could defend themselves. Word was sent to Zaragoza to urge the Cid to help, but he could not come at once, leaving Valencia in peril for twenty days.

Then the governor of Júcar appointed by Ali, set out early that night with forty horsemen all clad in green, dressed in the manner of the Almoravids. They came at night to Valencia to the north western gate called Tudela and banged on their drums. A rumour spread that five hundred Almoravids had come to take the town. Our governor was afraid, so went to counsel with the Emir, they decided that the gates of the city should be barred and that the battlements should be manned with archers and crossbowmen.

The Emir sent soldiers to the house of Abeniaf, the man who had made all this trouble and demanded he answer to the Emir; but he was afraid and would not leave. At the commotion, the Moors of the city came to his assistance and when he saw how many were on his side, he took charge and put himself at the head of this mob. They overran the Emir’s soldiers and went to the palace capturing the Cid’s governor. The mob then went to the gates of the city driving away the Emir’s guards. They tried to break down the gates, but could not, so instead tried to burn them. Others let ropes down from the walls to assist the Almoravids into the city.

Emir Yahia escaped, dressed in women’s clothes and fled his palace to a city house along with his women. The Almoravids took Valencia and the palace and plundered it. Abeniaf now thought that the entire city was on his side, so he pronounced himself a great man. He knew the Emir Yahia was still hiding and had men search the city. They found him in the house where he had hidden with his women and the best of his treasures; pearls, among which was one of the finest in the world, precious gems and a casket of pure gold, a mighty treasure.

Abeniaf wanted this wealth to enhance his new powers so he thought he would kill Yahia, thinking no one would know. He ordered his men to behead Yahia and his throw his head into a pond. Abeniaf took the majority of the treasure while the rest was taken by his accomplices.

Abeniaf had murdered his master, and began to act as if he were now the Emir himself. He grew proud and insolent; those who went to him as a judge for justice were treated badly. He lived like an Emir, living apart from other men. He had singers

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