He was born in Toledo in 1221 and died in Seville in 1284. He promoted an active economic policy, reformed the currency and the inland revenue and recognised the Honoured Council of La Mesta (the powerful association of sheep owners). He produced an outstanding body of literary, scientific, historical and legal work through his Royal Scriptorium. Alfonso X patronised, supervised and frequently contributed with his own writing, and in partnership with the cohort of intellectuals known as the School of Translators of Toledo, in the composition of an extensive literary collection which largely served as the starting point for prose works in Castilian. Of particular note are his 'Songs of Santa María' (lyrical songs in Galician-Portuguese accompanied by musical notation), the collection of exemplary tales known as 'Calila et Dimna' in Castilian, and the legal work 'Siete partidas'.
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Cantigas de Santa María
The lyrical poetry written in Galician-Portuguese includes 470 songs known as cantigas. 426 of them are about religious themes. They are collected in the “Cantigas de Santa María”, the finest example of a medieval religious songbook.
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Las Siete Partidas
A medieval legal compendium, generally attributed to Alfonso X “the Wise”, it constitutes the most important contribution of Hispanic Law to universal legal history.
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Copy of the "Songs of Santa Maria"
A collection of songs for one voice in Galician mensural notation. Their traditional and simple nature and their expressionism are the main features.
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Spanish National Library (Madrid)
Other highlighted works
- Calila et Dimna
