The concept of childhood in Late Middle Ages in Castile through the «Mirror for Princes» (13th-15th centuries)

Abstract

During Late Middle Ages, we can notice a revive of the sapiential literature in order to teach Castilian princes in moral and practical knowledge about government. This is a phenomena that happens around a renewal of the Classic culture and the new interpretation of its meaning. That new point of view that appeared in the Late Medieval Spanish kingdoms tried to provide the throne heirs with new skills not only as moral examples, but with practical knowledge. The sapiential literature in the «Mirror for Princes» tries to teach the future kings or rulers in a changing context in politics, but as tipically in Middle Ages, also tries to face the future with a look in the past.

Keywords

• baja edad media
• castilla
• literatura sapiencial
• espejo de príncipes
• cultura clásica
• moral
• intelectual