Encina, Juan del (1468–1529)

Spanish poet, playwright, and composer. He cultivated especially the villancico, a form resembling the French virelai. Over 60 of his songs are contained in a manuscript in Madrid, the Cancionero musical de palacio.

Encina studied at Salamanca University and entered the service of the Duke of Alba in Toledo. His poems were published at Salamanca in 1496. In 1498 he went to Rome, Italy, where he held a post at the court of the Spanish pope. While there he produced the Farsa de Placida e Vittoriano and composed many songs for his own plays. He was archdeacon of Málaga Cathedral from 1508–19, and of León Cathedral from 1519 until his death.