Juana Inés de la Cruz: The 17th-Century Nun Called 'Spanish Shakespeare'

What Happened Historian Paul Gillingham recently appeared on History Extra’s podcast to discuss the life and legacy of Juana Inés de la Cruz, speaking with host Spencer Mizen about this 17th-century Mexican literary giant. Gillingham, who describes her as “the Spanish Shakespeare,” explored how this nun and intellectual managed to create extraordinary literature while navigating the severe social restrictions placed on women in colonial Mexico. The podcast episode is part of a broader series examining the people who have shaped Mexico over the past 500 years, offering listeners insight into figures from the conquistadors to modern cartels.