Diego de Sandoval
Encyclopedia
Don Diego de Sandoval y la Mota (c. 1505 – c. June 1580) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador
.
Sandoval was born in the town of Santa Olalla
, near Toledo
, around 1505. His parents, Gonzalo de Sandoval y San Pedro and Inés de la Mota, belonged to established Toledan families.
, paying his own way (horse and weapons). He participated in the founding of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros
, then established himself in Cuzcatán.
Around 1533 he joined Alvarado on his journey to Quito
. They first arrived in the coast of what is now the Ecuador
ian province of Manabi
, then had to cross the dense jungle around the Guayas river
to reach the lower part of the Andes
range. They arrived at a pass called Liribamba, where Sandoval and his men found another conquistador, Sebastian de Benalcazar, whose forces he joined (after the two leaders arranged for monetary compensation for Alvarado). Sandoval and Benalcazar soon became friends and with their forces advanced on the forces of Rumiñahui
(who took charge of the Inca forces after Atahualpa
's death) in the north.
On December 6, 1534 Diego de Sandoval was one of the first "vecino
s" (citizens with rights) to receive a piece of land in the newly founded San Francisco de Quito (current capital of Ecuador). The next year he went with Benalcazar to regain contact with the Spaniards that had stayed in Santiago (now Santiago de Guayaquil) and pacify the region around the Guayas river and Puna Island. They then marched on to San Miguel de Piura through the land of the Cañari (a tribe that gave fierce resistance to the Incas during their own conquest) where they met a group of daughters of Huayna Capac (the Inca ruler before Atahualpa). Sandoval met one called "Colla" or "Coya" and had her baptized with the name Francisca living with her without officially marrying her and then returned to Quito. According to John Hemming "Sandoval captured a group of Inca fugitives including the sister-wife of Atahualpa who was baptized Doña Francisca Coya. The natives of Quito venerated her with pathetic passion."
He was called by Francisco Pizarro to answer some unspecified accusation but at arrival found that Lima had been besieged by an Indian revolt.
With his men he dislodged the surrounding forces from San Cristobal hill, thus getting Pizarro's thanks and absolution. He immediately returned to Quito looking for more men to stop the revolt in Perú
, but the current leader of the city(Capt. Pedro de Puelles) opposed him in this so he had to go to the province of Cañar (that was under his command) to recruit 500 Cañari
warriors. The Cañari
had historically resisted the Inca invasions and having suffered greatly under their empire were eager to help the Spaniards. Sandoval and his Cañari forces marched south to engage the forces of Inca Manco who harassed the Spanish forces with his own. After a long struggle he managed to subdue the revolt and broker a peace between the factions fighting in the Mamaicanta highlands.
On 1536 "La Colla" gave birth to a daughter, baptized Eugenia, who years later receive a royal grant confirming her rights (Real Cédula de Legitimación) from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
(Charles I of Spain) so that she could marry Captain Gil de Rengifo (leaving numerous decedents in both Ecuador and Colombia).
In 1537 he was named Alguacil Mayor (colonial office) and increased his land holdings in Mulaló, Pomasqui and other areas around Quito
. In that year he also presented his title of "Alferez
" that permitted him to carry the flag of the king.
In 1538 he received a confirmation of his "encomienda" of the Cañaris from Pizarro and in 1539 he further proved his services to the crown in places like Cuzco and Popayán. He lost all his commands and was taken prisoner to Lima
during the uprising of Gonzalo Pizarro.
Around 1541 he found his friend Alonso de Fuenmayor in the city of Pasto
and went into business raising pigs. He was very successful with this venture. He went to Cali
and found buyers for a herd of sheep he had brought from the south and got enough money to convince Benalcazar to name him Governor and General Captain of Nevia and of the Pijao
and Panchen Indians.
He then joined the forces of Lcdo. Vaca de Vega who had been sent by the crown to punish Almagro (the younger) and helped man his forces with people from the amazon regions.
On 1543 he presented the titles and commands that Benalcazar had given him but had to confront several local authorities in order to get them legalized. Through all these travails he kept his business sense and acquired many land holdings as payment for his support of the crown and its representatives. Around 1545 he was named Lieutenant Governor and General Captain of Anserma and helped the now Viceroy Blasco Núñez Vela
in his expeditions and conquests with his own money.
This same year he married Catalina Calderón de Robles, paying a handsome dowry, with whom he had two sons and many descendants in Quito.
In 1547 he heeded Pedro de la Gasca (the new crown representative) in his call to war again the rebellious Gonzalo Pizarro from whom he was in bad terms since his imprisonment in 1540, but a rebellion began in Anserma and he could not leave his post.
In 1458 he traveled to Lima and was again given "encomiendas" in Mulalo and Pomasqui (close to Quito) and returned to Quito with his family.
Around 1550 he became the owner of the area known as Mullihambato and created ranches dedicated to raising and commercialization of sheep, goats, cattle and pigs. The Quito city government gave him a special mark to distinguish his animals and special rights for their sale in the region.
There is little information from 1550 to 1559, but in that year he returns to Quito and becomes "Regidor Perpetuo de su Cabildo" (a sort of perpetual magistrate of the city). At this time he began the construction of the chapel of San Juan de Latrán next to the church of La Merced in Quito. In 156l the Pope, Pius IV
, approved said construction. In 1562 the king, Phillip II
, confirmed his appointment as Regidor Perpetuo.
Around 1565 he returned to Spain to rest from his American ordeals. He visited the town were he was born and the place where his grandfather's weapons (Hernán Dianes de San Pedro) and took some of them back to Quito where they some are still held. In 1567 king Phillip II
gave him his own coat of arms, in which some of his exploits, like the breaking the siege of Lima
, were shown.
In 1568 he returned to Quito bringing many decorations for the chapel he had built, including a couple of paintings by the Italian artist Titian
and to two relics of Santa Maria de Nieva (piece of hand and foot).
1577 his encomienda of Mulalo was confirmed for two lives by the crown and on May 29, 1580 he wrote his will in Quito with the scribe Juan Carrillo. His lands in Mulalo were divided among various heirs and part of them was given to the Indians that lived there. His great wealth, that included houses, workshops, land, silver, jewels, cattle, horses went to his two daughters. His house in Quito
, next to that of another conquistador Juan de Londoño, was left to his eldest daughter.
He died a few days later at the house of his son in law, Miguel Fernandez de Sandoval, and was buried in the chapel he had built for the purpose(San Juan de Letran). Due to a contract with the church of la Merced masses were to be said for him in his chapel from then on.
Conquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
.
Sandoval was born in the town of Santa Olalla
Santa Olalla
Santa Olalla is a village in the province of Toledo and autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, Spain....
, near Toledo
Toledo, Spain
Toledo's Alcázar became renowned in the 19th and 20th centuries as a military academy. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 its garrison was famously besieged by Republican forces.-Economy:...
, around 1505. His parents, Gonzalo de Sandoval y San Pedro and Inés de la Mota, belonged to established Toledan families.
Biography
In 1522, aged barely 17, he crossed the Atlantic to the American continent, newly encountered by Europeans. Together with Pedro de Alvarado he set out for the conquest of GuatemalaGuatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, paying his own way (horse and weapons). He participated in the founding of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros
Santiago de los Caballeros
Santiago de los Caballeros is a city in the Dominican Republic. Founded in 1495 during the first wave of European colonization of the New World, today Santiago is the second largest metropolis in the Dominican Republic, located in the north-central region of the Republic known as Cibao valley...
, then established himself in Cuzcatán.
Around 1533 he joined Alvarado on his journey to Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
. They first arrived in the coast of what is now the Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian province of Manabi
Manabí
Word Manabí can refer to:* Manabí Province in Ecuador* Manabí * The manga and anime series Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! or the nickname of its main character Manami Amamiya....
, then had to cross the dense jungle around the Guayas river
Guayas River
The Guayas River is a river in western Ecuador. It gives name to the Guayas Province, and it is the most important river in South America that does not flow into the Atlantic Ocean or any of its seas. Its total length, including the Daule River, is 389 km.-Course:The Guayas River has one of...
to reach the lower part of the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
range. They arrived at a pass called Liribamba, where Sandoval and his men found another conquistador, Sebastian de Benalcazar, whose forces he joined (after the two leaders arranged for monetary compensation for Alvarado). Sandoval and Benalcazar soon became friends and with their forces advanced on the forces of Rumiñahui
Rumiñahui
Rumiñahui may refer to:*Rumiñahui *Rumiñahui *Rumiñahui...
(who took charge of the Inca forces after Atahualpa
Atahualpa
Atahualpa, Atahuallpa, Atabalipa, or Atawallpa , was the last Sapa Inca or sovereign emperor of the Tahuantinsuyu, or the Inca Empire, prior to the Spanish conquest of Peru...
's death) in the north.
On December 6, 1534 Diego de Sandoval was one of the first "vecino
Vecino
In Spanish-speaking areas, a vecino is nowadays a neighbor, or a resident of a place.In older times throughout the Spanish Empire, a person who has a house and home in a town or city and contributes to its expenses, not necessarily living near to the person referring to him; a local figure of some...
s" (citizens with rights) to receive a piece of land in the newly founded San Francisco de Quito (current capital of Ecuador). The next year he went with Benalcazar to regain contact with the Spaniards that had stayed in Santiago (now Santiago de Guayaquil) and pacify the region around the Guayas river and Puna Island. They then marched on to San Miguel de Piura through the land of the Cañari (a tribe that gave fierce resistance to the Incas during their own conquest) where they met a group of daughters of Huayna Capac (the Inca ruler before Atahualpa). Sandoval met one called "Colla" or "Coya" and had her baptized with the name Francisca living with her without officially marrying her and then returned to Quito. According to John Hemming "Sandoval captured a group of Inca fugitives including the sister-wife of Atahualpa who was baptized Doña Francisca Coya. The natives of Quito venerated her with pathetic passion."
He was called by Francisco Pizarro to answer some unspecified accusation but at arrival found that Lima had been besieged by an Indian revolt.
With his men he dislodged the surrounding forces from San Cristobal hill, thus getting Pizarro's thanks and absolution. He immediately returned to Quito looking for more men to stop the revolt in Perú
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, but the current leader of the city(Capt. Pedro de Puelles) opposed him in this so he had to go to the province of Cañar (that was under his command) to recruit 500 Cañari
Canari
Canari is a commune in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica.-Population:-References:*...
warriors. The Cañari
Canari
Canari is a commune in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica.-Population:-References:*...
had historically resisted the Inca invasions and having suffered greatly under their empire were eager to help the Spaniards. Sandoval and his Cañari forces marched south to engage the forces of Inca Manco who harassed the Spanish forces with his own. After a long struggle he managed to subdue the revolt and broker a peace between the factions fighting in the Mamaicanta highlands.
On 1536 "La Colla" gave birth to a daughter, baptized Eugenia, who years later receive a royal grant confirming her rights (Real Cédula de Legitimación) from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
(Charles I of Spain) so that she could marry Captain Gil de Rengifo (leaving numerous decedents in both Ecuador and Colombia).
In 1537 he was named Alguacil Mayor (colonial office) and increased his land holdings in Mulaló, Pomasqui and other areas around Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
. In that year he also presented his title of "Alferez
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
" that permitted him to carry the flag of the king.
In 1538 he received a confirmation of his "encomienda" of the Cañaris from Pizarro and in 1539 he further proved his services to the crown in places like Cuzco and Popayán. He lost all his commands and was taken prisoner to Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
during the uprising of Gonzalo Pizarro.
Around 1541 he found his friend Alonso de Fuenmayor in the city of Pasto
Pasto
Pasto, officially San Juan de Pasto, is the capital of the department of Nariño, located in southwest Colombia. The city is located in the "Atriz Valley", on the Andes cordillera, at the foot of the Galeras volcano, at an altitude of 8,290 feet above sea level...
and went into business raising pigs. He was very successful with this venture. He went to Cali
Calì
Calì, also written in English as Cali, is an Italian surname, widespread mainly in the Ionian side of Sicily.For the surname Calì is assumed the origin of the Greek word kalos , or from its Sanskrit root kali, "time."The surname refers to:...
and found buyers for a herd of sheep he had brought from the south and got enough money to convince Benalcazar to name him Governor and General Captain of Nevia and of the Pijao
Pijao
The Pijao are an indigenous people of Colombia.-Ethnography:The Pijao or Pijaos were a loose federation of Amerindians living in the region of Tolima -Colombia and other territories...
and Panchen Indians.
He then joined the forces of Lcdo. Vaca de Vega who had been sent by the crown to punish Almagro (the younger) and helped man his forces with people from the amazon regions.
On 1543 he presented the titles and commands that Benalcazar had given him but had to confront several local authorities in order to get them legalized. Through all these travails he kept his business sense and acquired many land holdings as payment for his support of the crown and its representatives. Around 1545 he was named Lieutenant Governor and General Captain of Anserma and helped the now Viceroy Blasco Núñez Vela
Blasco Núñez Vela
Blasco Núñez Vela y Villalba was the first Spanish viceroy of Peru, from May 15, 1544 to January 18, 1546. He was charged by King Charles I with the enforcement of the controversial New Laws, which dealt with the failure of the encomienda system to protect the indigenous people of America from the...
in his expeditions and conquests with his own money.
This same year he married Catalina Calderón de Robles, paying a handsome dowry, with whom he had two sons and many descendants in Quito.
In 1547 he heeded Pedro de la Gasca (the new crown representative) in his call to war again the rebellious Gonzalo Pizarro from whom he was in bad terms since his imprisonment in 1540, but a rebellion began in Anserma and he could not leave his post.
In 1458 he traveled to Lima and was again given "encomiendas" in Mulalo and Pomasqui (close to Quito) and returned to Quito with his family.
Around 1550 he became the owner of the area known as Mullihambato and created ranches dedicated to raising and commercialization of sheep, goats, cattle and pigs. The Quito city government gave him a special mark to distinguish his animals and special rights for their sale in the region.
There is little information from 1550 to 1559, but in that year he returns to Quito and becomes "Regidor Perpetuo de su Cabildo" (a sort of perpetual magistrate of the city). At this time he began the construction of the chapel of San Juan de Latrán next to the church of La Merced in Quito. In 156l the Pope, Pius IV
Pope Pius IV
Pope Pius IV , born Giovanni Angelo Medici, was Pope from 1559 to 1565. He is notable for presiding over the culmination of the Council of Trent.-Biography:...
, approved said construction. In 1562 the king, Phillip II
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
, confirmed his appointment as Regidor Perpetuo.
Around 1565 he returned to Spain to rest from his American ordeals. He visited the town were he was born and the place where his grandfather's weapons (Hernán Dianes de San Pedro) and took some of them back to Quito where they some are still held. In 1567 king Phillip II
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
gave him his own coat of arms, in which some of his exploits, like the breaking the siege of Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, were shown.
In 1568 he returned to Quito bringing many decorations for the chapel he had built, including a couple of paintings by the Italian artist Titian
Titian
Tiziano Vecelli or Tiziano Vecellio Tiziano Vecelli or Tiziano Vecellio Tiziano Vecelli or Tiziano Vecellio (c. 1488/1490 – 27 August 1576 better known as Titian was an Italian painter, the most important member of the 16th-century Venetian school. He was born in Pieve di Cadore, near...
and to two relics of Santa Maria de Nieva (piece of hand and foot).
1577 his encomienda of Mulalo was confirmed for two lives by the crown and on May 29, 1580 he wrote his will in Quito with the scribe Juan Carrillo. His lands in Mulalo were divided among various heirs and part of them was given to the Indians that lived there. His great wealth, that included houses, workshops, land, silver, jewels, cattle, horses went to his two daughters. His house in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, next to that of another conquistador Juan de Londoño, was left to his eldest daughter.
He died a few days later at the house of his son in law, Miguel Fernandez de Sandoval, and was buried in the chapel he had built for the purpose(San Juan de Letran). Due to a contract with the church of la Merced masses were to be said for him in his chapel from then on.