Alfonso de Cartagena, sometimes also known as Alonso de Cartagena, was born circa 1384, the second son of Selomo ha-Levi (circa 1352-1435). Selomo and his family converted to Christianity on 21 July 1390, at which time he adopted the name Pablo de Santa María, and his second son was baptized Alfonso García de Santa María. Twelve years later, in 1402, Pablo became bishop of Cartagena, and by 1415 he was appointed bishop of Burgos. Alfonso García de Santa María was thus the son of one of the most successful and prosperous conversos (converts) in Castile. Although it was not until 1441 that Alfonso officially adopted the surname Cartagena, most modern critics, especially Hispanists, refer to him in general as Alfonso de Cartagena.

Cartagena benefited from a privileged education. As a child he attended the cathedral school in Cartagena, and between the years 1400 and 1410 he...