Ausiàs March

Ausiàs March was a poet and knight who lived in the 1400s in Gandia, Valencia. He was born around 1400 and passed away on March 3, 1459. March is remembered as one of the greatest writers during a special time called the "Golden Century" of Valencian literature. His poems often explored deep feelings and important ideas, making him a key figure in the history of Valencian language and culture.

Biography

Not much is known about Ausiàs March's life. He was born around 1400 into a noble family in Valencia. His father, Pere March, was a poet and worked at the court of Peter, the younger brother of King Alfonso IV. His uncle, Jaume March II, was also a poet. March had a younger sister named Peirona.

When March was still young, he became the head of his family in 1413 after his father passed away. He joined King Alfons el Magnànim on trips across the Mediterranean Sea. After returning in 1427, he settled in Gandia and never left that area again. He was married twice — first to Isabel Martorell, the sister of writer Joanot Martorell, and later to Joana Escorna. In 1450, he moved to Valencia, where he died on March 3, 1459. His body was buried in the family's chapel at the Valencia Cathedral, while his wives and family rest in the Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba. March had five children outside of marriage but no direct heirs.

Poetry

Ausiàs March inherited wealth from his father, who worked for the Duke of Gandia, and received support from Charles of Viana, a prince of Aragon. This allowed him to focus on writing poetry. He was inspired by the poet Petrarch and wrote love songs called Cants d'amor to a lady he first saw in church on Good Friday. Though he followed Petrarch’s style, March added his own unique feelings, especially in his Cants de mort, which are hymns about death.

March was among the first to write poetry in his local language, Valencian, instead of the older troubadour language, Occitan. His poems are known for being deep and sometimes sad, exploring the tension between strong desires and moral values. His work influenced later poets, and his poems were later set to music by composers like Raimon and Joan Brudieu.