From Debate to political Propaganda through the Women's Quarrel in Juan Rodriguez del Padron, Diego de Valera and Alvaro de Luna

This article analyzes three works composed one after another during the reign of John II of Castile, probably in its more unrestrained period, between 1438 and 1446, in the light of the political, cultural and literary background they reveal: Juan Rodriguez del Padron's Triunfo de las donas, Diego de Valera's Defensa de virtuosas mujeres and Alvaro de Luna's Virtuosas e claras mugeres. These are precious testimonies of different political tendencies which were opposed at that time. In fact, as far as ideology is concerned, the two latest works can be read as rewritings which tend to replace the subversive political lesson contained in Juan Rodriguez del Padron's treatise.