Rodrigo "Ruy" Díaz | The Kingdom of León | The Taifa of Zaragoza |The Christian Kingdoms | The Moorish Taifas
Rodrigo "Ruy" Díaz de Vivar "El Cid Campeador"
Played By: Jaime Lorente, Adrian Fernandez (Child)
"Today, I have achieved glory. But when I fall in battle, I’m sure no-one will remember my name".
The main protagonist of the series and future national hero of Spain. Rodrigo Díaz - called "Ruy" by those who know him - is the son of a low-ranking nobleman wronged by the King of León. Taken by his grandfather to the capital, he starts the series as a page at the court of León, serving King Fernando's eldest son and heir apparent, the Infante Sancho.
Ruy is brash, brave, and skilled, yet despite his talents he appears to have few prospects to better himself. That all changes when he foils an assassination attempt on King Fernando, and he soon finds himself embarked on a journey that will see him rising in station - from lowly page to Sancho's squire and, eventually, to knighthood - while having his loyalty tested in battles, love, a conspiracy to overthrow Fernando by the Leonese nobility, and a growing enmity within the Leonese Royal Family itself.
It is through these trials that Ruy will take the actions that will leave his mark on history and make him a legend.
- The Ace: A skilled swordsman, archer, and horseman. By Season 2, he's developing into a crafty tactician to boot.
- Affectionate Nickname: "Ruy" counts as this, being a shortened form of his full name.note Additionally, he's called “Boy of the Birds” (Chico de los pajaros) by Abu Bakr in Season 1. It's given an Ironic Echo by Sádaba when the latter tries to kill Ruy in Season 2.
- Animal Lover: Apart from being associated with birds (see below), Ruy is also kind towards horses, frequently brushing them down himself even when his rising station means he no longer has to, saying it reminds him of who he is.
- Animal Motifs: Birds. They often appear before important events in his life, he's able to recognize different species and recite common sayings associated with them, and appears to have an affinity with hawks. Season 2's opening scene shows that it was his father who passed the knowledge on to him.
- Badass Spaniard: One of the definitive examples in medieval Spain, and Spanish fiction.
- Beard of Sorrow: In Season 2's final scene, he's grown a thick stubble after being thoroughly put through a Cynicism Catalyst. Time will tell if it becomes the thick beard he's traditionally depicted as having.
- Born Lucky: His Baraka. According to Abu Bakr, the circumstances of his birth mean that fortune will favour him immensely, but the trials he'll have to face will also have to be immense. So far, the show's been proving him right.
- The Champion: To Sancho in Seasons 1 & 2, as many of his acts are done so with the intention of either keeping Sancho from danger, or otherwise saving him. By Season 2 he's carrying the standard of Castile, which Sancho previously carried at Graus. This ends in the final episode of Season 2, when Ruy can no longer follow Sancho down the path of revenge.
- The Chosen One: What his Baraka turns him into, at least according to Abu Bakr. He cryptically mentions in Season 1 that Ruy may be the warrior they've been waiting for, and in Season 2 is adamant that Zaragoza not make an enemy of him.
- Combat Pragmatist: Both as a combatant and as a tactician. He's willing to take advantage of his opponent's overconfidence during duels to make surprise attacks, or make use of Improvised Weapons to stun before moving in for the kill. In Season 2, he's willing to raid economically-rich civilian targets, prepares an ambush against a non-existent pursuing Leonese army, and it's he who suggests conducting a night attack against the unprepared and celebrating Leonese army at Golpejera, leading to Alfonso's capture. Truth in Television for the historical Rodrigo Díaz, too.
- Cool Sword: His father’s sword, which he finally inherits from his grandfather in Season 2. The Jineta gifted to him by al-Muqtadir after the Battle of Graus also counts as an example of this.
- Cradling Your Kill: Holds his grandfather Rodrigo in his arms after running him through at Golpejera.
- Cynicism Catalyst: The events of Season 2 leave him more embittered and cynical. Him having to kill his grandfather during the battle of Golpejera and Sancho's descent into Revenge Before Reason are big factors in it.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: A major part of his characterization in Season 1 was resentment at having so few prospects, and being so disrespected, despite his talents and even his accomplishments. This becomes far less prominent in Season 2 as he becomes Sancho's right-hand-man.
- The Dreaded: By Season 2, he's become this. His fame is such that Alfonso and Urraca rarely make plans against Sancho without taking him into account. When al-Muqtadir is presented with the choice of directly opposing Sancho and, by extension, Ruy, he dismisses it and says that the last thing Zaragoza needs is to make an enemy out of someone like him.
- Everyone Has Standards: Sancho's decision to siege Zamora until it starves to death before cruelly humiliating and executing his sister is the straw that breaks Ruy's back, prompting him to rebuke Sancho angrily, resulting in Sancho banishing him from his sight and Ruy abandoning the siege.
- Foil: To his Rival Orduño: Orduño comes from an aristocratic family and is the heir to both a title and lands, while Ruy is the son of an impoverished knight with only his father's sword to his name. Orduño's father, Count Flaín, is manipulative and abusive and Orduño is slowly starting to resemble him more and more, despite wanting desperately not to. Ruy's father Diego, on the other hand, appears to have been a stern yet kind parent, and while Ruy often thinks of him and appears to have inherited his more admirable qualities. Orduño is a classist Jerkass with shades of entitlement towards Jimena, while Ruy is a Humble Hero and, generally, a Nice Guy who's love towards Jimena is more chaste. Finally, and interestingly, Orduño has shown no interest in any woman other than Jimena, and he appears to consider her his last chance at not falling into further darkness. Ruy, despite his love for Jimena, falls for Amina of Zaragoza and the two have a physical relationship, which Jimena considers a betrayal despite the two not yet being together at that point.
- Good Is Not Nice: While generally kind and humble, he can become a lot less friendly and a lot more threatening when the situation calls for it. His negotiations with Zaragoza in the first opening of Season 2 are a clear example of this.
- Good Is Not Soft: If anyone taunts, threatens or disrespects him, he'll be only too willing to stand up to them. In Season 1, insulting either of his parents results in pain, as Orduño finds out the hard way. Season 2 provides more examples: he resolves Zaragoza's defiance at the start of the season by torching the Taifa's silk fields in a single night.
- The Hero: The main protagonist and the most morally-upright character. By Season 2 he's even become this in-universe, with ordinary peasants knowing him as "El Campeador" and his deeds being sung in the streets of León.
- Humble Hero: Despite his accomplishments, and later his growing status, he's consistently modest and doesn't lord over his peers. He even prefers to brush his horses down himself, rather than having someone doing it for him, as it helps remind him of who he is.
- Hypercompetent Sidekick: To Sancho, always doling out good advice and saving him from his own impulsiveness,
- I Gave My Word: Swears to a dying Fernando to not allow his Fernando's sons to face each other in battle, nor to spill their blood. In Season 2, he's unable to prevent Fernando's children from warring with each other, but he is able to keep his oath to not personally harm any of them.
- Indy Ploy: In Season 1: Drugging Sancho after the latter knocks out Trifón to prevent him from fighting a duel that could potentially result in the Infante's death has nothing to do with forethought and everything to do with semi-panicked improvisation. Fortunately, it also sets him on his path to greatness.
- Interclass Friendship: With Sancho. The Infante and young Ruy already got on well when he was a page and, despite their differences and difficulties, only grow closer throughout the two seasons. At least, until Sancho's bloodlust and desire for vengeance drives an apparently irreperable wedge between the two of them.
- Kill the Ones You Love: He ends up killing his grandfather and Parental Substitute Rodrigo at Golpejera. It's done at Rodrigo's silent plea, as he was already dying from an unnamed illness, but it's still emotionally devastating for Ruy.
- Knight In Shining Armour: Played With. He's definitely The Hero of the show and demonstrates clear knightly virtues, such as refusing to harm civilians in war. At the same time, he's not above being a Combat Pragmatist and, despite his love for Jimena, he isn't able to help himself from falling for Amina, at least for a time.
- Knight in Sour Armour: While he's no less heroic, at the end of Season 2 he's considerably become more embittered and cynical, and outright says at his father's grave that he curses the king (referring to Sancho).
- The Lancer: To Sancho in Season 1 and 2. Until he's had enough of his king's growing bloodlust and the two part ways.
- Lantern Jaw of Justice: Courtesy of his actor.
- Last of His Kind: Unwillingly on his part. After killing his grandfather Rodrigo Álvarez, his last living family member and Parental Substitute, at Golpejera, Ruy has become the last member of his family left.
- Mangst: He often expresses grief through silent Manly Tears or angrily destroying things in private, where no-one can see him.
- Manly Tears: At several points, most notably in Season 2 upon learning of Nuño's death, and after being forced to kill his grandfather.
- The Magnificent: By the end of Season 1, he's earned his title "Campeador" from Sancho, and is referred to as "Al-Sayyid" (AKA El Cid) by al-Muqtadir of Zaragoza.
- My God, What Have I Done?: The expression on his face, after killing his grandfather at Golpejera, is one of abject grief and horror.
- My Master, Right or Wrong: His attitude in Season 2 regarding Sancho. While he may not always agree with Sancho's reasons for war, he'll still follow him and do his best to both protect him and ensure he comes out victorious. This reaches a breaking point at the siege of Zamora, where Sancho goes too far for Ruy to continue supporting him.
- Nice Guy: In general, if you're one of his friends or treat him with respect, Ruy is kind, humble, loyal and forthright. His enemies, or those who disrespect him on the other hand, quickly find out he's far from a pushover.
- Number Two: Officially becomes this to Sancho in Season 2 after Velarde's death, becoming his most relied-upon confidant and carrying the standard of Castile into battle.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: In Episode 3 of Season 2, he's noticably colder and more eager for war than he was previously, and supports Sancho's desire for escalating the conflict against his brothers despite his oath to the dying Fernando. His friends notice this change and become concerned, and Orotz grimly mentions that something similar happened to his father before dying. It appears to stem largely from Jimena's silent rejection of him after she discovers his involvement with Amina. Fortunately, he snaps out of it by the end of the season.
- One True Love: To Jimena. The two are clearly attracted to each other in Season 1, and by Season 2 they declare their mutual love, though they still don't know how they can be together, given her engagement to Orduño.
- Politically Correct Hero: Is noticeably lacking in prejudice against the muslims of Spain, even showing signs of interest in their culture (something that appears to have been Truth in Television for the historical Rodrigo Díaz). Season 2 has him express approval at Oiubreda's desire to fight at Sancho's side.
- Please, Don't Leave Me: Tearfully pleads with his mother to stay with him as she dies.
- Pragmatic Hero: Has definite shades of this, with the clearest example being found in the first episode of Season 2, where he burns the silk fields of Zaragoza - a civilian target (albeit while heavily enforcing Would Not Shoot a Civilian) - so as to force Zaragoza to pay its Paria tribute to Castile. The end of Season 1 also implied that he was the one who killed Count Flaín, but Season 2 confirms it was in fact his grandfather Rodrigo who did the deed.
- Rags to Riches: The son of a disgraced and impoverished knight, Ruy has slowly risen from a lowly page to squire of an Infante, to Sancho's own champion by Season 2.
- Real Men Love Jesus: A more downplayed example than others, but he's shown to be quietly religious, keeping the cross his mother gave him as a gift and praying frequently. While the second episode of Season 2 implies he's starting to feel anger towards God for the events that have happened, it's not yet been enough to make him renounce his faith.
- Red Herring: The final shots of Season 1 implied that he assassinated Flaín by stabbing him in the back with the stiletto dagger. Season 2 reveals it was in fact his grandfather Rodrigo who did so.
- Save the Villain: In Season 2, he ends up interceding to save Orduño from execution, despite their enmity and Ruy having everything to gain from his death.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: At the end of Season 2, he angrily calls out Sancho for wanting to starve all of Zamora just for the chance to get at Urraca. In response, Sancho banishes him from his sight, and Rodrigo abandons the siege, riding alone all the way back to Vivar.
- The Squire: In Season 1, he rises from page to Sancho's own squire. In Season 2, he finally makes the jump to full knighthood.
- Timeshifted Actor: Obviously played by a child actor in flahbacks.
- True Companions: With Alvar, Lisardo, and Nuño. They've all known each other since they started out as pages and share a deep bond of friendship. On learning that Nuño is dead, Ruy sheds silent tears.
- Undying Loyalty: To Sancho. Though he may sometimes disagree with the Infante, he'll also follow him through thick and thin without question. He swears at the end of Season 1 to Fernando to serve even when not shown gratitude, and to die for Sancho if need be. Season 2, however, reveals the limits of his loyalty. When faced with the fact that Sancho is willing to doom all of Zamora to an agonising death just to get revenge on one person, he angrily chews him out. When Sancho banishes him from his sight, he abandons the siege.
- Up Through the Ranks: From page to squire in Season 1. In Season 2, he moves up to knight, then becomes Sancho's right-hand man After Velarde's death.
- War Is Glorious: Or rather, as he says in Season 2, war is an opportunity. In his case, to improve his station in life and finally gain respect for his accomplishments, as well as redeeming his father's name.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Delivers an angry and impassioned one to Sancho, calling him out on his desire to starve the people of Zamora to death, just to punish Urraca. It gets him banished from Sancho's sight.
- What You Are in the Dark: He has the chance to let Sancho execute Orduño in Season 2 after the latter is captured at Golpejera and have his title, lands, and even Jimena passed on to him. Despite Jimena's pleading, he appears to seriously consider letting it play out. Ultimately it's revealed that he interceded on Orduño's behalf to Sancho, leading to Orduño being pardoned in exchange for swearing an oath of fealty.
- Would Not Shoot a Civilian: Despite his Combat Pragmatist tendencies, he refuses to harm civilians. A notable example is during the burning of the silk fields of Zaragoza, where seeing one of his men attempting to rape a Moorish woman enrages him, and he delivers a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown on the attempted rapist. His disgust with Sancho during the siege of Zamora is likely linked to this, as Sancho explicitly states he wishes to cruelly punish not just Urraca, but all the people of Zamora for their defiance.
