Pen Portraits of Illustrious Castilians

An English translation of Generaciones y Semblanzas , a compilation of 34 biographical sketches of the most illustrious Castilians of the mid 15th century. These include three kings, a queen and 30 nobles, prelates and scholars who represented the most prominent families of the day. The text was written in Spanish in 1450 by Fernan Perez de Guzman, an historian, moralist, politician and poet whose personal contact with the most powerful nobles of the time provided him with the material for these intimate and revelaing portraits. Through insightful commentary on his subjects’ family background, personality traits, outstanding deeds, virtues and vices, the author brings to the reader vivid portraits of some of the most important players in Castilian history. Within the portraits, occasional digressions provide the author with the opportunity to present his own personal beliefs on such timely issues as the situation of Jewish converts in Castilla, the greed and self-serving motives of many of his contemporaries, and the role played by Divine Providence in shaping the history of his country. Perez’s introduction appears to be the first treatise written in Spanish on the nature of history and on the duties and responsibilities of those recording it. The translators have succeeded in maintaining certain stylistic characteristics of 15th-century Spanish without sacrificing readability. Their introduction and notes provide useful background information, as do the map and genealogical table.