(nicknamed Archpriest of Hita). Born 1283 in Alcalá de Henares(?); died circa 1350. Spanish poet.
Ruiz wrote the narrative poem Book of Sweet Love (1343), which showed him to be a forerunner of Renaissance literature in Spain. The work is written in the form of an autobiographical story about amorous adventures, illustrated by fables, parables, and allegories. A conflict between asceticism and sensuality underlies the entire work. Ruiz depicted Spanish society soberly and satirically and created brilliant character types.