With the death of the mighty hero, The Cid, an imperishable legend was born.  In the written chronicles of Christians and Moslems, in the songs of the troubadours, in the tales told by peasants to their children and grandchildren, it was told.  How there had once been a knight of such generosity that even his enemies grieved at his death; of such loyalty that he bore undeserved punishments from his king without complaint, of such strength and valor that his very appearance put entire armies to flight, of such devotion and purity that God granted him a victory even after death.  Courage, loyalty, pride and devotion—this is the heritage The Cid left to his country.

From the dust jacket