Íñigo López de Mendoza, 1st Marquis of Santillana facts for kids
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Íñigo López de Mendoza, 1st Marquess of Santillana (born August 19, 1398 – died March 25, 1458) was an important politician and poet from Castile, a region in Spain. He was a very influential person in society and literature during the time of King John II of Castile.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Family
Íñigo López de Mendoza was born in Carrión de los Condes, a town in Old Castile. He came from a noble family that was well-known for its involvement in the arts and literature. His grandfather, Pedro González de Mendoza I, and his father, Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, were both poets. They were also friends with other famous writers of their time.
His mother, Doña Leonor Lasso de la Vega, was a very rich heiress. She belonged to the powerful House of Lasso de la Vega.
Íñigo's father died when he was only five years old. This caused some money problems for his family. He spent part of his childhood living with his grandmother and his uncle, who later became an important church leader. As a young man, he spent time at the court of King Alfonso V of Aragón. There, he learned about different kinds of poetry, including works from France and Italy. He also read classic writers like Virgil and Dante Alighieri.
Marriage and Power
In 1412, Don Íñigo married Catarina Suárez de Figueroa. She was a very wealthy heiress. Through this marriage, he gained a lot of money and land. He became one of the most powerful nobles in Spain during his time. One of his six sons from this marriage, Pedro González de Mendoza, later became a very important cardinal in the church.
Political Life
Don Íñigo was always loyal to King Juan II throughout his life. Because of his loyalty, the king rewarded him greatly. He received more land and was given the special title of Marquess of Santillana in 1445. This happened after a big battle called the First Battle of Olmedo.
A Life of Learning and Poetry
After his wife, Doña Catarina de Figueroa, passed away, the Marquess retired. He went to live in his palace in Guadalajara. There, he spent the rest of his life studying peacefully and thinking deeply.
Lopez de Mendoza greatly admired Dante Alighieri, a famous Italian poet. His own writing style was influenced by Dante's long poems. He also learned from other Italian writers like Petrarch and Giovanni Boccaccio, who were part of a movement called Humanism. Humanism focused on human values and achievements.
He is especially remembered for his "serranillas." These are short poems that often tell stories about everyday life or simple subjects. He also wrote pastoral novels, which are stories about shepherds and country life, inspired by French traditions. He was also the first to write a type of poem called the Castilian Sonnet in Spain.
His Children
- Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Duke of the Infantado
- Pedro Lasso de Mendoza, lord of the Lozoya valley
- Íñigo López de Mendoza, 1st count of Tendilla
- Mencía de Mendoza, who married Pedro Fernández de Velasco, 2nd Count of Haro
- Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza y Figueroa, Count of La Coruña
- Pedro González de Mendoza, a cardinal and close advisor to Queen Isabella I of Castile
- Juan Hurtado de Mendoza, lord of Colmenar, El Cardoso, and El Vado
- María de Mendoza, who married Pero Afán de Ribera, Count of Los Molares
- Leonor de la Vega y Mendoza, who married Gastón I de la Cerda, 4th Count of Medinaceli
- Pedro Hurtado de Mendoza, lord of Tamajón
See also
In Spanish: Marqués de Santillana para niños
