Medieval Spanish Literature: Genres and Key Authors

Mester de Clerecía: Characteristics

The Mester de Clerecía refers to the office of the clergy and the literary genre that flourished during the 13th and 14th centuries in Spain. Key characteristics include:

• Metric: Use of cuaderna vía (fourteen-syllable lines with a single rhyme).
• Themes: Predominantly heroic and religious.
• Authorship: Known and unique authors, often signing their works.
• Didactic Purposes: To indoctrinate the literate faithful.
• Background: Sources in classical Latin and religious texts.
• Style: Cultured and characterized by the careful employment of literary devices.

Key Authors of Mester de Clerecía

13th Century: Gonzalo de Berceo

A cleric linked to the monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla and Santo Domingo de Silos. He authored twelve works, primarily on hagiographic and Marian themes, including the important Milagros de Nuestra Señora (Miracles of Our Lady).

14th Century: Juan Ruiz (Arcipreste de Hita)

A clergyman with a minstrel-like style, he wrote one of the richest works of this period: El libro de buen amor (The Book of Good Love). Critics debate its nature, with some viewing it as a morality play and others as a reflection of the era's Christian spirit, often with a critical or ironic tone. His style is predominantly expressive and vernacular.

The Rise of Castilian Prose in the 13th Century

Castilian prose flourished in the 13th century, largely due to King Alfonso X (1221-1284), who actively promoted Castilian as the official language of culture. The renowned School of Translators of Toledo played a crucial role, translating numerous classical and Arabic texts into Castilian, thereby establishing a rich tradition of prose writing in the vernacular.

Don Juan Manuel and El Conde Lucanor

Don Juan Manuel (1284-1348) was a significant figure in Castilian literary prose. His most important work is El Conde Lucanor, also known as Libro de Patronio. This work is divided into several parts, with the second being the most prominent, containing 51 apologues (exempla).

• Purpose: These stories serve didactic purposes, addressing spiritual and material moral problems.
• Origins: Many tales originated from Eastern fables or traditional stories.
• Originality: Its originality lies in the skillful adaptation of these Oriental sources to the socio-cultural context of the medieval Iberian Peninsula.

Popular and Traditional Poetry

Jarchas

Originating in al-Andalus, these are the oldest known examples of vernacular poetry, dating from the 11th century. They were written in Arabic, Hebrew, or Mozarabic. Jarchas are short, with a consistent rhyme scheme, and typically feature a young woman speaking to her mother or sisters, expressing grief over the absence of her lover.

Cantigas de Amigo

Found in Galicia, these poems are written in Galician-Portuguese. They were composed by both cultured and popular authors. Similar to Jarchas, a young woman addresses her sisters or mother, often with a parallelistic structure and references to nature.

Villancicos

These Castilian compositions emerged in the early 15th century and are characterized by their thematic richness. They include songs about work (e.g., mowing), pilgrimages, festivals, satirical themes, laments for the dead, and albadas (dawn songs of love).

Romanceros (Ballads)

Romanceros are collections of ballads. They typically feature a consistent assonance in the even lines. The oldest examples date from the 14th century, with the largest and most significant collections appearing in the 15th century. Ballads cover a wide range of themes, including historical events, biblical narratives, romantic tales, and frontier conflicts.