Alfonso de Palencia

Alfonso Fernández de Palencia (July 21, 1423–1492) was a Castilian royal secretary, historian, and humanist scholar. He first served Enrique IV of Castile and later played an active role in the political intrigue that ultimately brought Fernando II to Castile and put Isabel I on the throne. His chronicles, the Décadas, are an important historical source for this period.

Life Alfonso de Palencia was born in Palencia in 1423, the son of a secretary. By 1440, at the age of seventeen, he was in the household of Alfonso de Cartagena, Bishop of Burgos. In 1441 he participated in a mission on behalf of King Juan II of Castile to meet with Álvaro de Luna, a powerful Castilian noble and a favorite of the king.

Later, Palencia traveled to Florence where he entered the service of Cardinal Bessarion, with whom he remained until 1453. He also became acquainted with Vespasiano da Bisticci and studied the humanities with George of Trebizond in Rome. After nearly ten years in Italy, Palencia returned to Castile and joined the household of the Archbishop of Seville, Alonso I de Fonseca.