Joana Vaz facts for kids
Joana Vaz (born around 1500, died after 1570) was a very smart woman who lived during the Renaissance. She was a poet and a scholar in the court of Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal.
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Who Was Joana Vaz?
Joana Vaz was born around the year 1500. She was known as a Renaissance humanist. This means she was a scholar who loved to study old Greek and Roman texts. Humanists believed in the importance of human potential and learning. Joana Vaz was also a talented poet. She spent much of her life working in the royal court of Portugal.
Life at the Royal Court
Joana Vaz was an important part of Queen Catherine of Austria's court. This court was a special place where many educated women gathered. Other smart women there included Queen Catherine's cousin, Maria, and the sisters Angela and Luisa Sigea de Velasco.
Joana Vaz had several important jobs in the court. She was a maid of honour to Queen Catherine. This meant she was a trusted helper and companion to the Queen. She was also in charge of the aula regia, which was like the royal school or learning center.
Joana's Amazing Skills
Joana Vaz was incredibly smart and knew many languages. She could speak and write fluently in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. She wrote many things, especially in Latin. She also worked as a teacher, helping to educate Queen Catherine's cousin and the princess, who was also named Maria.
How Was Joana Vaz Seen by Others?
Many important scholars and thinkers of her time greatly respected Joana Vaz. They saw her as a true expert in her field.
Respected by Scholars
For example, the poet Francisco de Sá de Meneses wrote about her in a letter, showing how much he admired her knowledge. Even Pope Paul III, a very powerful leader, was said to have liked her writing.
A Tribute to Erasmus
Another famous scholar, Clenardus, described Joana Vaz as someone "elegantly trained in literature." He thought so highly of her writing that he asked her to write a poem for the funeral of Erasmus. Erasmus was one of the most famous and important scholars of the Renaissance. This shows just how respected Joana Vaz was by her peers.
