Crusaders of the CidEl Cid and the Christians in the poem of the Cid display crusader qualities, which unite them against their enemies as they pursue honor, glory and faith. When El Cid undertakes the on his journey for the first time he states: “May the power of the Blessed Virgin protect me. Now I must leave Castile, because I have incurred the wrath of the king. this is done in an attempt to invoke both faith and honor to help him on his journey (The Poem of the Cid 33). Clearly, before he starts fighting the Moors, he is already thinking about his Christian faith and how his beliefs will give him strength, while at the same time pursuing honor by killing other humans. For example, when Cid gives his speech: “Listen to me, my brave men, do not be discouraged by what I say. […] The worthy Abbot will ring Matins in San Pedro and say the Mass of the Holy Trinity for us.” suggests that he and his men will be revered for their efforts and seen as soldiers of God in the eyes of Christians (The Poem of the Cid 39). Furthermore, the Cid proclaims that "I pray to Saint Peter to help me intercede for the Cid Campeador so that God may preserve him from evil", thus expressing how he and his companions will be seen as holy warriors potentially protected by God in battle. (The Poem of the Cid 41). Since Cid believes his current mission is noble and holy as he marches to war, his men are inclined to believe these claims as well, which is similar to how crusaders justify going to war for their faith, be it Christian or Muslim. Furthermore, like the crusaders of 1095, Cid and his men plunder and plunder their way through the country, thus bringing glory to themselves. For example, when Cid and his entourage arrive in Castej...... middle of paper ......he Cid 75). Ultimately, Cid is a crusader at heart who pillages the lands as he sees fit. Christian identity in The Poem of the Cid is characterized by complexity and war. As demonstrated by the Cid's military campaigns, God can be on the side of both the Muslims and the Christians, "The Moors invoked Muhammad and the Christians to St. James", which leads one to believe that the monetary value of the raids and plundering of villages was what led these men to band together against a common enemy (The Poem of the Cid 63). Furthermore, as Cid continues his adventures, he clearly gains the respect of the Moors who join him against Count Ramon of Barcelona, ​​so perhaps one could assume that it was all for monetary gain. Regardless, Cid's story is one of conquest, glory, and honor that parallels the stories of the crusaders and presents the idea of ​​gaining wealth through war to the people of Iberia..