Fernán Pérez de Guzmán
Fernán Pérez de Guzmán was a notable figure born around 1378 in Batres, Spain, belonging to a distinguished Castilian family during a period marked by political turbulence under King Juan II. Involved in significant political controversies, Pérez de Guzmán faced imprisonment due to his actions against the king's counselor, Alvaro de Luna. During his time in prison, he turned to writing, producing a body of work that includes both poetry and prose. His most recognized contribution is "Mar de istorias" (Sea of Histories), written between approximately 1431 and 1451, which is a collection of biographies of significant historical figures, including emperors and philosophers, many of whom he personally knew.
Pérez de Guzmán's biographies not only recount the lives of his subjects but also delve into their virtues and vices, providing a rich historical context of Castilian society from 1390 to 1454. Additionally, he addresses contemporary political issues, including the experiences of Jewish converts and the self-serving nature of some nobility. His work is notable for its emphasis on historical accuracy and the historian's responsibility, while also contemplating the influence of divine providence on the course of history in Spain. His literary contributions reflect both personal and broader societal themes, making him an important figure in the exploration of 15th-century Spanish history and culture.
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Subject Terms
Fernán Pérez de Guzmán
Nonfiction Writer and Poet
- Born: c. 1378
- Birthplace: Batres, Spain
- Died: October 2, 1460
Biography
Fernán Pérez de Guzmán was born in Batres, Spain, sometime around 1378. He was a member of a distinguished Castilian family, and he lived during turbulent times in Spain when the authority of the Spanish king, Juan II, was being questioned by other members of the nobility. Pérez de Guzmán was involved in the political controversy, and he was imprisoned for his action by Alvaro de Luna, a counselor to the king. While in prison, he devoted himself to writing letters and poetry. He was later released from prison and returned to his home in Batres.
Pérez de Guzmán wrote several volumes of poetry, including Cancinoero de Baena, which contains poems written as traditional love songs. He is best known for his prose writing, most notably for Mar de istorias (c. 1450-1455; Sea of Histories, c. 1431-1451), a collection of biographies of emperors, philosophers, and saints, many of whom were personally known by Pérez de Guzmán. His biographies include the family background, personality traits, deeds, virtues, and vices of his subjects. The third section of this volume contains the portraits of thirty-three notable men and one woman who were prominent in Castilian history during the period from 1390 to 1454. In addition, through digressions in the text, Pérez de Guzmán expresses his views on the political questions of his day, including the plight of Jewish converts in Spain and the greed and self-serving motivations of many of his contemporaries. Of equal importance is the preface to the third section, where he describes the theory of history and the responsibility of the historian to provide historical accuracy. This section also discusses his views on the role played by divine providence in shaping the history of Spain.