The Date of Composition of Mira de Amescua's La Fénix de Salamanca

The study deals with the possible dates of composition for Mira de Amescua's La Fénix de Salamanca. Emilio Cotarelo y Mori claimed that historical evidence in the text of the comedia pointed to an early date of composition. Vern G. Williamsen, in his versification study of Mira's comedias, concluded that a much later date of composition is more likely. Research shows that the historical allusions that Cotarelo and Valbuena Prat refer to in the play are vague. It is difficult, therefore, to arrive at a date of composition for the comedia based solely on the allusions to certain events and personages of the period. However, a new interpretation of the historical allusions, coupled with evidence garnered from Williamsen's versification study, does point to a later date of composition for La Fénix de Salamanca.