The book presents new evidence on the Courts of Charles V and John III, as seen through the eyes of the eminent Portuguese humanist Andre de Resende. His four long Latin poems on this topic are here translated for the first time ever. His Genethliacon depicts a fascinating three-day festival, with stage-managed entertainments. The poems and biography of Resende also provide new insights into the life and character of him, and of several other poets and humanists of this period.