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 Introduction Francisco López de Zárate was born in Logroño, in northern Spain, the son of a postman. He first began studying Law at Salamanca, in 1598, but abandoned his studies to join the army, fighting in Flanders, Italy, and Germany. After his military service, he served as secretary of state for the Duke of Lerma, though his austere moral character did not fit in well with political intrigue. While based in Madrid, he often retired to Logroño for a calm spot to write. He wrote both poems and dramas, and was praised by great writers of his day like Lope de Vega (1562-1635) and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616). Not long after writing his Poema heróico de la invención de la Cruz , in 1648, he suffered a stroke and remained paralyzed on his right side for the rest of his life. He died on Madrid, on March 5, 1658. Though praised by writers of his day, known as "the Cavalier of the Rose," after one of his sonnets, he is little-known now. He wrote many...

Introduction St. Juan (John) was born in Almodóvar del Campo in Spain; in 1513, he went to study at the University of Salamanca, but he left in 1517, before obtaining a degree. Back home, he lived an austere pious life, which attracted the attention of a passing Franciscan friar, who recommended he resume his studies. Juan finally obtained a degree at the University of Alcalá de Henares, studying philosophy and theology. In spring 1526, he was ordained and celebrated his first Mass in the church where his parents (who had died during his studies) were buried; he then sold his famiy estate, gave the proceeds to the poor, and decided to become a missionary to Mexico. While in Seville, preparing for his journey, his fervor and learning became known to a local priest; being informed by the priest, the archbishop convinced Juan to stay in Andalusia. His preaching was well-loved, but it was strong against the aristocracy; his critiques of wealth were so strong that he was...