Rodrigo Sánchez de Arévalo, learned bishop of Oviedo, Zamora, and Palencia, secretary to Castilian kings, trusted diplomat, and author of several theological, political, and theological tracts, was born in 1404, probably in Santa María de la Nieva, Segovia. After first studying in the Dominican convent in his hometown, at the age of fourteen Sánchez de Arévalo was sent to the University of Salamanca to study law. While there is no direct documentation of the ten or so years he spent there, through his own works it is known that he was granted the degrees of bachelor of law, of theology, and of arts, and doctor of both theology and law. Sánchez de Arévalo referred to himself as "professor of both laws" (human and divine), but the title of professor was probably synonymous with that of...