This knight, whom no one recognized as one of their own warriors, was immediately hailed as St.James, and it was his name which the Spaniards then and there adopted as their favorite battle cry.
The city of Coimbra having been taken, Don Rodrigo was duly knighted by the king; while the queen and princesses vied with one another in helping him don the different pieces of his armor, for they too were anxious to show how highly they valued his services.
After a few more victories over his country's enemies, the triumphant Cid returned to Zamora, where Ximena, his wife, was waiting for him, and where the five Moorish kings sent not only the promised tribute, but rich gifts to their generous conqueror.

Although the Cid rejoiced in these tokens, he gave all the tribute and the main part of the spoil to Ferdinand, his liege lord, for he considered the glory of success a sufficient reward for himself.
While the Cid was thus resting upon his laurels, a great council had been held at Florence, where the Emperor (Henry III.) of Germany complained to the Pope that King Ferdinand had not done him homage for his crown, and that he refused to acknowledge his superiority.

The Pope immediately sent a message to King Ferdinand asking for homage and tribute, and threatening a crusade in case of disobedience.

This unwelcome message greatly displeased the Spanish ruler, and roused the indignation of the Cid, who declared that his king was the vassal of no monarch, and offered to fight any one who dared maintain a contrary opinion.
"'Never yet have we done homage-- Shall we to a stranger bow?
Great the honor God hath given us-- Shall we lose that honor now?
"'Send then to the Holy Father, Proudly thus to him reply-- Thou, the king, and I, Rodrigo, Him and all his power defy.'" _Ancient Spanish Ballads_ (Lockhart's tr.).
This challenge was sent to the Pope, who, not averse to having the question settled by the judgment of God, bade the emperor send a champion to meet Rodrigo.

This imperial champion was of course defeated, and all King Ferdinand's enemies were so grievously routed by the ever-victorious Cid that no further demands of homage or tribute were ever made.
Old age had now come on, and King Ferdinand, after receiving divine warning of his speedy demise, died.