Alonso de Ercilla
Alonso de Ercilla y Ziga was a Spanish nobleman, soldier and epic poet, born in Madrid. While in Chile he fought against the Araucanians , and there he began the epic poem La Araucana, considered one of the greatest Spanish historical poems. This heroic work incantos is divided into three parts, published in 1569, 1578, and 1589. It tells of the courageous insurrection of the Araucanians and also relates the history of Chile and of contemporary Spain.
Ercilla was born into a Basque noble family. His father was Fortuo Garca de Ercilla, and his mother Doa Leonor de Ziga, both from Bermeo . In 1548, after his fathers death, his mother became ladyinwaiting to the Infanta Mara and made young Alonso a page to the heirapparent, Prince Philip . Ercilla received a very thorough education, for, besides having the most learned teachers, he enjoyed the advantages of very extensive travelling and of living at court where he came in contact with high personages. When he was only fifteen he accompanied Philip through Italy and Germany and their travels lasted three years. Later, Ercilla accompanied his mother to Bohemia where he left her and then visited Austria, Hungary, and other countries. Returning to Spain, he soon started out again with Philip. In this capacity Ercilla visited Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, and was present in 1554 at the marriage of his master to Queen Mary I of England.
Source: Wikipedia