Santillana, Marquis of

(Iñigo López de Mendoza). Born Aug. 19, 1398, in Carrión de los Condes; died Mar. 25, 1458, in Guadalajara. Spanish poet. Santillana is the author of Introduction and Letter to the High Constable of Portugal (1449; published 1482), the first treatise on Spanish poetics. He is also the author of the didactic works Proverbs of Illustrious Wisdom and Useful Instruction (1437; published 1490), Dialogue Between Bias and Fortuna (1448; published 1502), and Lecture to the Favorites (1452). Santillana introduced the sonnet form into Spanish poetry. His sonnets and his allegorical poems The Lovers’ Hell and A Little Comedy About Ponza (1444) reflect the influence of Italian poetry. San-tillana’s most valuable legacy is his verse written in the spirit of Spanish folk poetry—songs, sayings, seranillas (pastoral songs)—and the collection Sayings of Old Women Sitting by the Fire (published 1508).