Martin of Leon

Martin of León ( – 12 January 1203) was a priest and canon regular of the Augustinian Order known for his biblical commentaries and sermons. He is regarded as a saint.

Life Born at León, Martin, along with his father Juan, withdrew from the world to the canonry of after the death of his mother. Martin was educated at this canonry, and after the death of his father, Martin decided to undertake a major pilgrimage, visiting the cities of Rome and Constantinople.

Martin continued his education at the University of Paris under Peter Lombard. Returning to Spain, he took the religious habit at San Marcelo, but after seeing this monastery had been secularized by the bishops he entered the collegiate church of San Isidoro in the same city.

Martin was in Italy during the pontificate of Urban III (1185–1187). From there he travelled to the Holy Land with the Third Crusade. He remained in the Holy Land two years in the service of the Hospitallers. His book of sermons, Liber Sermonum, runs in manuscript to about 700 folios (1400 pages). It contains 54 lengthy sermons that may have served more as models for preachers than as texts to be preached.