Almoravid Capture of Valencia

Timeline

1. 1101Valencia · SpainAfter El Cid died in 1099, his widow Jimena Díaz continued to rule Valencia. Almoravid caliph Yusuf ibn Tashfin was determined to retake the city, dispatching the Berber commander Mazdali with a large army to begin the siege in August 1101, cutting supplies and maintaining pressure.
2. 1102Cullera · Valencian CommunityJimena sent envoys to appeal for aid from Alfonso VI, king of Castile-León. Alfonso marched south in March 1102, and the Almoravid forces temporarily withdrew toward Cullera. The Castilians pursued and engaged them to no decisive result; Alfonso judged Valencia could not be held long and decided to abandon the city.
3. 1102Valencia · SpainIn early May 1102 Christians withdrew north with livestock, spoils, and El Cid's body, burning the city districts to deny them to the enemy. The Almoravid forces did not forcibly intercept the retreating column. On 5 May Mazdali entered Valencia; the Duchy of Valencia ended, and the city became an Almoravid forward base for attacks on the taifa of Zaragoza and the Barcelona frontier.