Chronology
YEAR
LOPE’S AGE
LIFE AND WORK
1562
November 25, day of San Lope, the poet was born in Madrid. Some believe he was born December 2.
On December 6, he was baptized in San Miguel de los Octoes.
1563/ 1571
He spent some of these years in Seville with his uncle the Inquisitor.
He learned to read and write with the musician and writer Vicente Espinel.
1572
10
He seems to have began his studies at the Imperial School this year.
1574
12
Studies in the Imperial School.
Lope already wrote plays, although he reworked El verdadero amante (as well as the later La pastoral de Jacinto), attributed to that year, before publishing them.
1577
15
Possibly enrolled in the University of Alcalá.
1578
16
On August 17 his father died.
The poet ran away from home with his friend Hernando Muñoz.
1579
17
Probably composed La comedia de los hechos de Garcilaso de la Vega.
Entered in the service of the Bishop Jerónimo Manrique, who is believed to have helped him finish his studies at the University of Alcalá.
1580
18
Had a relationship with María de Aragón (Marfisa), son of a Flemish bread maker named Jácome de Amberes, who lived in Madrid.
1581
19
On January 2, Manuela, daughter of Lope de Vega and María de Aragón, was baptized.
He finished his studies at the University of Alcalá.
1582
20
He spent a brief time at the University of Salamanca.
1583
21
He met Elena Osorio (who appears in his work as Filis, Zaida, Dorotea).
He enlisted in the Marquis de Santa Cruz’s expedition to Terceira Island, in the Azores, which launched on June 23.
1584-1587
He wrote plays for the businessman Jerónimo Velázquez, the father of Elena Osorio, woman with whom he had an affair for more than four years.
1584
22
Collaborated with Pedro de Padilla in Jardín espiritual, and López Maldonado en Cancionero.
1585
23
On August 11, his daughter Manuela died.
1585-1587
He met Juan B. Labaña, Phillip II’s cosmographer and founder of the Mathematics Academy of Madrid, and with whom he studied Mathematics and Astrology.
He studied Liberal Arts with the master Juan de Córdoba.
1587
25
Began as secretary in the service of Pedro Dávila, Marquis de las Navas
In December, in the middle of a performance in the Corral de la Cruz, he was taken prisoner for writing defamatory verses against Elena Osorio and her family.
1588
26
He continued to write in prison and spreading defamatory letters and verses against Elena Osorio and they condemned him to exile from the Court for four years, and two years from the kingdom of Castile.
Before leaving Madrid for Valencia, he kidnapped Isabel de Urbina (Belisa), and married her by proxy.
His daughter Antonia was born.
He wrote plays, vying for the attention of businessmen of Madrid and Valencia, and composed romances that spread quickly throughout Spain. He was known as a great playwright.
In May he set sail in Lisbon, as a volunteer soldier in the Invincible Armanda. He wrote La hermosura de Angélica.
1589
27
In September, his mother (who never appeared in his work) was buried in Madrid.
He returned to Valencia with his wife Isabel, where he met Guillén de Castro and had an intense and productive literary period.
He wrote Primer florilegio de romances.
1590-1591
He lived in Toledo as secretary to Francisco de Rivera Barroso, then Marquis de Malpica.
1591·1595
29
He entered the service of Duke of Alba as secretary, in the town of Alba and Toledo.
He wrote plays, novels (La Arcadia), and poems.
1594
32
His daughter Antonia died.
Isabel de Urbina died giving birth to a girl (Teodora).
1595
33
His exile ended in March and he returned to Madrid.
1596
34
His daughter Teodora died.
He established his residence in Madrid and met Micaela de Luján (who appears in his work as Lucinda or Camila Lucinda).
He was tried in Madrid for cohabitating with Antonia Trillo de Armenta.
1597
35
He wrote El Isidro y La Dragontea, a ten canto poem about the escapades of Francis Drake ‘The Dragon’.
1598
36
In April he married Juana de Guardo in Madrid.
The theaters closed.
Lope began to work as secretary in the service of the Marquis of Sarriá, future Count of Lemos, until 1600.
Began his relationship with Micaela de Luján.
1599·1608
Lived with Micaela de Luján in Seville, Granada, Toledo and Madrid, alternating with times his wife Juana de Guardo at their home.
1599
37
With the reopening of the theaters, Lope returned to the stages.
In July Jacinta, his daughter with Juana de Guardo, was baptized.
1600
38
He lived for a while in Toledo, with trips to Madrid and times in Seville.
1602
40
He lived in Seville (until 1604) with Micaela de Luján.
He was sick twice.
La hermosura de Angélica, Rimas humanas and El caballero de Illescas appeared in Seville.
1603
41
Félix, son of Lope de Vega and Micaela de Luján was born. He was baptized in Seville in October.
He announced he had written 230 plays and cited 219 titled.
El arenal de Sevilla.
1604
42
The first parte of the plays appeared, the proof of the Valladolid edition is February 12.
The second edition of his Rimas appeared in Seville.
He was in Granada in the Spring, where he enjoyed the hospitality of Álvaro de Guzmán.
In August he rented a house in Toledo for a year, where he lived with his wife Juana de Guardo, who was about to give birth.
1605
43
The first part of Don Quixote appeared at the beginning of the year. The prologue contains several slightly veiled attacks against Lope.
In April his sister Isabel died and named him executor of his will.
Marcela, daughter of Lope de Vega and Micaela de Luján is born. She was baptized in Toledo.
In May the birth of Phillip the IV was celebrated with festivals and Lope organized a poetry tournament.
He began his work relationship with the Duke of Sessa. In September he announced in a letter that he had finished La Jerusalén conquistada and had applied for the license to publish it. Peribáñez y el comendador de Ocaña.
1606
44
In March, Carlos Félix, son of Lope de Vega and Juana de Guardo was baptized in Toledo. It is believed the boy was born in 1605.
1607-1608
Intermittent love affair with the actress Jerónima de Burgos (‘the lady Gerarda’).
1607
45
Lope Félix, son of Lope de Vega and Micaela de Luján was born in January. He was baptized in May and his godmother was Jerónima de Burgos.
He entered the service of Luis Fernández de Córdoba (Lucilo), sixth Duke of Sessa, descendent of the Great Captain, as the Duke’s “secret” secretary.
On October 27, he rented a house for two years on the Calle de Fúcar, in Madrid, where he lived with Micaela de Luján. His wife, Juana de Guardo, was then living in Toledo.
1608
46
In August he was granted the exclusive to print Jerusalén conquistada. Lope appeared on the cover as Familiar of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, honorary title.
1609
47
Jerusalén conquistada, appeared, the Segunda parte de las comedias and Arte nuevo de hacer comedias with the new edition of the Rimas. Here he proudly claims to have written 483 plays.
1610
48
In January he joined the Congregation of Esclavos del Santísimo Sacramento, in the Oratory of the Caballero de Gracia, where he was the administrator or prefect. Cervantes, Quevedo, Espinel, Salas Barbadillo, Calderón, Montalbán, Solís, etc. belonged to the same.
Juana de Guardo came to Madrid, Lope went out to meet her and made it to Pinto.
On September 7 he bought the house on Calle de Francos in Madrid, where he lived until the end of his days.
1611
49
On March 10 he sold the house on Calle de Majedericos, which pertained to his wife’s dowry.
He joined the Third Order of San Francisco and on the occasion of which he wrote his Cuatro soliloquios.
El villano en su rincón.
1612
50
At the beginning of the year he published in Madrid Pastores de Belén, prose and verse dedicated to his son Carlos Félix.
During the foundation of the Academy “El Parnaso,” by Francisco de Silva y Mendoza, Lope read several verses wearing Cervantes’ glasses.
Tercera parte de las comedias appeared.
In June his son Carlos Félix died after an illness that lasted several months. Lope dedicated an elegy to him published in Rimas sacras.
1613
51
In April he finished La dama boba for the actress Jerónima de Burgos.
In August Juana de Guardo, his wife, gave birth to a girl who they named Feliciana, but the mother died in childbirth.
The Duke of Lerma organized festivities on his grounds in Segovia, Burgos and Lerma in honor of Phillip II. Lope traveled with the royal party.
In September in Segovia, he was the guest of the actress Jerónima de Burgos.
El perro del hortelano.
1614
52
He was ordained a priest this year. He first received the lesser orders in Madrid. In March he went to Toledo (he stayed in the home of the actress Jerónima de Burgos), where he received the rank of Cleric of the Epistle and then Cleric of the Gospel. On May 25, in Madrid, he received the final rank of his priestly ordination. On May 29 he said his first mass in the Church of Carmen Descalzo, in Madrid.
At the beginning of May the Cuarta parte de las comedias appeared in Madrid, which he dedicated to the Duke of Sessa. The license was good through the end of 1613.
In June Feliciana was baptized. The godparents were the Duke of Sessa and María de Guardo, the girl’s aunt, since Jerónima de Burgos could not attend.
On August 30 the Duke of Sessa granted him the stipend of the town of Alcoba, in the diocese of Cordoba.
He published Rimas sacras, dedicated to friar Martín de San Cirilo, his confessor. The proof in Madrid was dated August 2.
The beatification of Santa Terresa de Jesús was celebrated on October 16. Lope opened a literary tournament which was attended by Cervantes, Espinel and others.
On November 3, his play El premio de la hermosura was performed in the gardens of Lerma.
1615
53
In June he fled from Madrid to Toledo, followed by a woman, probably an actress. He was sick in Toledo.
He complained of intermittent fevers in the summer and he attributed them to his sorrow. He took a short trip to Avila, where he aspired to the one of the chaplaincies in the Church of San Segundo. On the return trip, in Segovia, he finished his play El mayor imposible.
Parte V de las comedias appeared, then Parte VI.
He fell in love with Marta de Nevares.
He was named procurator of the Apostolic Chamber in the archbishopric of Toledo.
1616
54
He had an affair with the actress Lucía Salcedo (‘the crazy woman’). In July he left for Valencia to meet her. He became gravely ill.
He returned to Madrid in August with a son, a Franciscan, perhaps fruit of a romantic encounter during his exile in Valencia in 1589.
In September he began his relationship with Marta de Nevares (the Marcia Leonarda of his novels, the Amarilis of his poetry and letters).
1617
55
Góngora, Lope’s main rival, moved to Madrid.
Spongia appeared, libel against Lope and his friends. Lope replied with two violent satires and with Expostulatio Spongiae, written by his friends and by him, also in Latin, in which there is a compilation of laudatory poems for Lope.
His son Lope Félix is locked up for his bad behavior in the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Asylum.
He complains of poor vision from the excess of work.
On August 12, Marta de Nevares gives birth to a girl, Antonia Clara (Clarilis), daughter of Lope. Her godfather was the Count of Cabra, son of the Duke of Sessa.
Partes VII, VIII and IX of the plays appeared, the three dedicated to the Duke of Sessa. With Parte IX he began to take part personally in the printing.
1618-1619
The actions against Marta de Nevares’ husband to obtain the marriage annulment are finalized. Marta de Nevares left home and sought refuge in a convent.
1618
56
The sixth edition of El Peregrino en su patria appeared with a new list of titles of his plays: 219 from the first list and 114 new listings. Erroneous sum of 462. Décima parte de las comedias appeared, dedicated to the Marquis of Santa Cruz, and the Oncena parte, dedicated to Bartolomé de Vivanco y Velasco. The proof for Parte XI was dated February 4; Lope declared he had written 800 plays up until then.
He wrote El triunfo de la fe en los reinos del Japón por los años de 1614 y 1615.
He disseminated Expostulatio Spongiae in response to the libel from Rámila.
1619
57
The Docena parte de las comedias appeared, dedicated to the Count of la Puebla. The proof was signed by Vicente Espinel.
Roque Hernández, Marta de Nevares’ husband, died. In the dedication to his son Lope Félix from the play of his youth El verdadero amante (it appeared the following year in Parte XIV de las comedias), he said: “I have written nine hundred plays, twelve books on different subjects, prose and verse and so many individual papers on various subjects that are yet to be printed and will never be printed; and I have acquired enemies, censors, traps, envies, notes, rebukes and cautions...”
1620
58
A poetry contest for the beatification of San Isidro was held on May 19 in the Church of San Andrés. Lope opened the act and distributed the prizes at the end. Calderón also took part. The compositions from the contest were published that same year: Justa poética y alabanzas... al bienaventurado San Isidro.
On June 1 he wrote to His Majesty requesting the position of royal chronicler.
Partes XIII and XIV of the comedies appeared.
His son Lope Félix enters the military with the Marquis of Santa Cruz.
Lo fingido verdadero.
El caballero de Olmedo.
1621
59
Partes XV, XVI and XVII of the plays appeared. The proof for Parte XV was dated September 4, 1620; in the prologue he stated he had written 927 plays, “counting what are called autos (Spanish allegorical plays).”
La Filomena, appeared, with other different poems, prose and verses. The volume contained two novels: Las fortunas de Diana, dedicated to Marcia Leonarda (Marta de Nevares) and written at her request, and La Andrómeda. The exclusive and the printing were June 13. He said he had written 900 plays.
In December he obtained the nuncio, by recommendation of the Duke of Sessa, of the position of apostolic prothonotary.
1622
60
The canonization festivities of San Isidro, patron saint of Madrid were celebrated. Lope wrote two plays, petitioned by the Regional Government, La niñez de San Isidro and La juventud de San Isidro, which were performed before Phillip IV, and he presided over the poetry contest in which 132 poets participated, among them Guillén de Castro, Mira de Amescua, Juan de Jáuregui, Calderón and Tirso. Lope put together the verses from the event in a volume (Relación de las fiestas).
The play El vencido, vencedor was presented to the queen, poetry form of his love for Marta de Nevares.
On September 19, notice of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba’s victory obtained on August 29 near Fleurus, Belgium reached Madrid. On October 8, Lope had his play La nueva victoria de don Gonzalo de Córdoba ready, which was performed on October 21 in Madrid.
Marta de Nevares went blind.
1623
61
In February, Marcela was ordained in the Convent of the Trinitarias Descalzas, with the name of Sister Marcela de San Félix. Lope described the ordination in Epístola a don Francisco de Herrera Maldonado.
Décimaoctava parte de las comedias appeared, with the proof dated June 22, and the Parte diecinueve.
Lope and his supports attended the openings of Ruiz de Alarcón, whose works enjoyed public favor.
El mejor alcalde, el rey (1620-1623).
1624
62
On January 21 there was a great procession in the auto-de-fé of the Franciscan monk Benito Ferrer. Lope presided over the confraternity of familiars and commissaries of the Holy Office.
La Circe appeared, with other poems and verses, dedicated to the Count-duke of Olivares. The censures were from August 13 and September 4, 1623. They had three short novels: El desdichado por la honra, La prudente venganza and Guzmán el Bravo, dedicated to Marcia Leonarda, and some sonnets dedicated to Amarilis (Marta de Nevares’ names).
Romancero espiritual appeared, published in Pamplona.
Tirso de Molina wrote Los cigarrales de Toledo, containing the most valuable defense of Lope’s art.
1625
63
Parte veinte de las comedias, the last one published while the author was alive, appeared in January. The proofs were from September 29 and October 5, 1624. He said in the prologue: “The naïve wits will wish that, since I had life to write 1,070 plays, that I have it to print them.” “Los ingenios cándidos desearán que, como tuve vida para escribir 1.070 comedias, la tenga para imprimirlas”.
On June 29 he joined the Congregation of San Pedro, association of priests born in Madrid.
In September his Triunfos divinos appeared, with other sacred poems, dedicate to the Countess of Olivares.
1626
64
The Duke of Sessa received the Cardinal Barberino, nephew of the pope, and Lope, as Chaplain of the Duke. They became friends and with others associated with literature who accompanied the Cardinal.
In June Soliloquios amorosos de un alma a Dios appeared. Written in Latin by the Reverend Father Gavriel Padecopeo and in Spanish by Lope de Vega Carpio.
1627
65
In September
Corona trágica. Vida y muerte de la Serenísima Reina de Escocia María Estuardo appeared, dedicated to Pope Urban VIII. The proof, from friar Hortensio Félix Paravicino, was dated August 2.
In September, Marta de Nevares, who lived in Lope’s home, completely lost her sight.
The Pope Urban VIII granted him the title of Doctor of Theology by the Collegium Sapientiae and gave him the habit of the Order of San Juan (he communicated this to the Gran Maestre of Malta for his confirmation). The habit implied the honorary title of Frey.
1627 (?)
He was named chaplain of San Segundo in the Church of Avila.
1628
66
Lope was named chief chaplain of the Congregation of the Caballero de Gracia.
He wrote to the Duke of Sessa: “Here… there is no livelihood… nor clothes, nor money.”
He fell ill. Marta de Nevares was blind and suffered attacks of madness.
1629
67
In the summer his piece to be sung, La selva sin amor for the court’s enjoyment was performed in the Pavilion of the Zarzuela in el Pardo, on a stage designed by Lotti.
In the fall he finished Laurel de Apolo, with other poems.
He worked on this piece from 1628. He praised more than 280 poets in Spain and Portugal, and 36 in France and Italy.
1630
68
Two of his plays failed and he wrote to the Duke of Sessa saying that he was thinking of leaving theater.
He wrote Égloga a Claudio, where his famous declaration appears: Mil y quinientas fábulas admira, / que la mayor el número parece, / verdad que desmerece, / por parecer mentira, / pues más de ciento en horas veinticuatro / pasaron de las Musas al teatro”.
1631
69
On June 24, night of San Juan, the Count-duke of Olivares hosted a party for the king and queen and the royal family in the gardens of the Count of Monterrey and Lope’s work (written in just three days) La noche de San Juan, was performed.
On August 1, he completed his tragedy El castigo sin venganza. It was performed only once.
1632
70
On April 7, Marta de Nevares died in Lope’s house in Madrid. She was 41 years old. She was buried “at the cost of Alonso Pérez”, bookseller friend of Lope.
Dorotea, perhaps his masterpiece, appeared.
1633
71
His eclogue Amarilis appeared, dedicated to the Queen of France, in which he told the story in poetry form of his last love.
On December 18, his daughter Feliciana married Luis de Usátegue, “official of the secretariat of the Royal Council of the Indies of the Province of Pirú.”
1634
72
On May 24 he finished Las bizarrías de Belisa, perhaps his last play.
He received notice of the death of his son Lope Félix, in a shipwreck off the coast of Venezuela. Lope dedicated an eclogue to him. Antonia Clara, daughter of Lope and Marta de Nevares, who was the only one still living at the house, ran away from home at the age of 17, seduced by a protégé of the Count-duke of Olivares and helper to His Majesty’s Chamber. Lope dedicated the eclogue
Filis to this event, which appeared after his death, and two poems then included in La Vega del Parnaso.
In December his Rimas humanas y divinas appeared, dedicated to the Duke of Sessa, which included La Gatomaquia. The proof was dated August 17; the tax November 22. It is the last book printed during his lifetime.
1635
73
The prohibition to print plays ended. Lope turned in Partes XXI and XXII de sus comedias to the printer, and they appeared after his death.
On August 24, he attended some conclusions on Medicine and Philosophy presented by Doctor Fernardo Cardoso, famous converted Jew, in the Seminary of the Escoceses. He fainted and they took him home in a chair. The doctors bled him.
On August 25, he wrote the poem Al siglo de Oro, 246 verse moral silva (medieval verse form).
The Doctor Juan de Negrete, Chamber Doctor to His Majesty, visited him and advised they give him the Holy Sacrament.
On Sunday, August 26, he wrote his will, where he recognized Feliciana as his only child. They administered the viaticum and the last rites.
On August 27 he could not write any more. He died at five fifteen in the afternoon, surrounded by his friends, among them the Duke of Sessa.
On August 28, the Duke took charge of the funeral service. All of Madrid participated in the mourning and by request of his daughter Sister Marcela, the entourage passed in front of the Convent of the Trinitarias Descalzas. His remains were laid to rest in the Church of San Sebastían, on Calle Atocha. In the mid 17th century, they were moved to a common grave.
1637
La Vega del Parnaso was published posthumously.
