1.- Towards the middle of the 13th century, the first forms of cultivated Spanish poetry written in the Romance language were documented. It was written by clergymen and follows medieval Latin models, with probable French influence. It was to survive throughout the following century. Its most characteristic verse is the "cuaderna vía", in alexandrine verses of 14 (seven plus seven) syllables.
It is known as "mester de clerecía" (mester signifies ‘profession’ and comes from ministerium) and its themes are very varied.
 Beginning of Book of Alexander |
 Beginning of the Life of St. Domingo de Silos |
The 13th century works include: a) historical, such as the Book of Alexander, about the life of Alexander the Great; b) religious, such as The Miracles of the Virgin Mary by Gonzalo de Berceo, first renowned Spanish poet and author of hagiographic works (lives of saints); c) epics, such as Poem of Fernán González; d) adventures, such as the Book of Apolonio; e) advice or knowledge, like Cato´s Examples, etc.
| 2.- There are poems from the 13th and early 14th centuries, written in verses different from the "cuaderna vía" which, although not considered "mester de clerecía", reflect their mentality to a certain extent. These are the poems of discussion, of which Reason to Love is highlighted, with its argument between wine and water, or Elena y María, in which two women defend their respective lovers: the priest and the knight.
Hagiographic poems, on which minstrels had influence to a greater or lesser degree, can be incorporated in another section, like Life of St. María Egipciaca or the Book of the Three Wise Men. Already in the 14th century, the Jew Sem Tob de Carrión drew up his Moral Proverbs. |
 Book of the Three Wise Men |
