Yusuf al-Muʿtamin

…leaving it to his son Yūsuf al-Muʾtamin (reigned 1081–85), who was more a scholar than a political figure. The reign of Aḥmad II al-Mustaʿīn (1085–1110) was marked by constant wars against the Christians. He was dealt a severe defeat at Alcoraz in 1096, during the Christian march on Huesca; Saragossa…

…of Zaragoza, in northeastern Spain, al-Muʿtamin, welcomed the chance of having his vulnerable kingdom defended by so prestigious a Christian warrior. The Cid now loyally served al-Muʿtamin and his successor, al-Mustaʿīn II, for nearly a decade. As a result of his experience he gained that understanding of the complexities of…