Arcipreste de Hita

Juan Ruiz, the Archpriest of Hita, was likely born in 1283 in Alcalá de Henares. He was a prominent literary figure of the Spanish Middle Ages. His main work, the "Libro de buen amor" (Book of Good Love), is a complex compendium of narratives, lyrical and satirical poems, written in verse. The book explores a wide range of themes, including human love in its various facets, religiosity, morality, and the daily life of the era. The narrative is presented in the first person, with the Archpriest recounting his own love experiences and adventures, often in an ironic and self-deprecating manner. The work is notable for its rich and varied language, its use of different compositional methods, and its ability to blend the elevated with the popular. The exact historical identity of Juan Ruiz and the details of his life are subjects of debate among scholars, but his literary importance is undeniable. He passed away on an uncertain date, but the work was completed around 1343.