This thesis presents the first critical edition of the Tratado de la lepra by
Enrique de Villena, and proposes to determine its relationship with the biblical
exegesis of the Middle Ages. The study connects the treatise firmly with the
exegetical tradition represented by Nicholas of Lyra.
Enrique de Villena (1384? -1434) is a controversial figure of the late Castilian
Middle Ages. Of noble birth, his quest for knowledge set him apart from his social
class who traditionally pursued military careers at a time when Spain was still
engaged in the Reconquista with the Moors. Villena's neglect of his role, together with
the antagonism between his grandfather and the Castilian Court, deprived Don
Enrique of the wealth and property that was rightfully his and forced him to lead a life
not befitting a man of his social status.
Villena was a self-educated 'humanist'. His pursuit of knowledge took him to
the most varied disciplines, as is amply shown in the themes of his many writings.
They range from lessons on how to become a 'royal carver' to rules for writing poetry,
from superstitions to mythological and biblical exegesis. He supports his points of
view with great agility, quoting renowned authorities of the Middle Ages and the
Antiquity. Because of his vast knowledge and his attraction to unusual and obscure
matters, Villena developed an unjustified and enduring reputation as a sorcerer. This
reputation was specially reinforced after his death, when most of his books were sent
to destruction by a royal edict.
The Tratado de la lepra is a treatise on the interpretation of several passages
of the biblical book of Leviticus, related to the occurrence of leprosy in walls,
furniture, and garments. Villena tries to demonstrate 'scientifically' the feasibility of
such an event, conferring absolute authority on the Bible. This work has been
relatively overlooked by modern scholars, partly because the biblical passages it
refers to are not ambiguous enough to justify the need for interpretation.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/9757 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Sauvage, Mariá Esther |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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