earning that his master has been slain, the Cid hastened to
avenge him, and, as Sancho had left no heir, proclaimed Alfonso his
successor. We are told that this young prince had already heard of his
brother's death through a message from his sister, and, fearing the
Moors would not allow him to depart for good, had merely asked
permission to visit his kin. The wary Moorish king consented, but only
on condition Alfonso would promise never to attack him or his sons,
should he become king.

When Alfonso arrived at Zamorra, all the Spaniards readily did homage
to him save the Cid, who refused to have anything to do with him until
he had solemnly sworn he had no share in his brother's death. To
satisfy the Cid, therefore, Alfonso and twelve of his men took a
threefold oath in the church of Burgos; but it is said Alfonso never
forgave the humiliation which the Cid thus inflicted upon him.

The new monarch proved to be a wise ruler for the kingdoms of Leon,
Castile, Gallicia, and Portugal. He was not without his troubles,
however, for shortly after his succession the Cid quarrelled with one
of his nobles. Next the Moorish kings became disunited and Alfonso's
former host summoned him to his aid. Not only did Alfonso assist this
king of Toledo, but invited him into his camp, where he forced him to
release him from the promise made on leaving his city. Not daring to
refuse while in the power of the Christians, the Moorish king
reluctantly consented, and was surprised and delighted to hear Alfonso
immediately renew the oath, for, while not willing to be friends with
the Moors under compulsion, he had no objection to enter into an
alliance with them of his own free will.

Not long after this the king of Navarre sent forth his champion to
challenge one of Alfonso's, the stake this time being three castles
which the Cid won. But the Moors, taking advantage of the Cid's
illness which followed this battle, rose up against Alfonso, who was
compelled to wage war against them. In this campaign he would have
fallen into the enemy's hands had not the Cid risen from his sick-bed
to extricate him from peril! By this time the renown of the Cid was
so great, that people in speaking of him invariably termed him "the
Perfect One," thereby arousing such jealousy among the courtiers, that
they persuaded Alfonso his subject was trying to outshine him! In
anger the king decreed Rodrigo's immediate banishment, and, instead of
allowing him the custo