Fray Juan Gil de Zamora, Infante Sancho, and Alfonso el Sabio

Abstract

In his De preconiis Hispanie, Fray Juan Gil de Zamora endeavored to inculcate in Infante Sancho, Alfonso X’s second son and heir, an understanding of the history of Spain and to cite examples of rulers who used their authority well and those who abused it. He reminded the young prince that he would be accountable to God and that he should not pursue his own interests to the detriment of his people. He specifically denounced royal avarice and argued that a king should not impoverish his people with unaccustomed levies of taxation. Moreover, he stressed the king's duty to rule in accordance with the approved laws and customs established with the consent of the people. Although he did not criticize Alfonso X by name, he was aware of popular complaints of excessive taxation and innovations in the law. While providing Infante Sancho with a manual for good government, he also conveyed a tacit critique El Rey Sabio.