Luis de Villanueva y Zapata
Encyclopedia
Doctor Luis de Villanueva y Zapata was a Spanish colonial administrator in New Spain
.
He studied at the University of Salamanca
. He married Mariana de Sandoval, daughter of Pedro de Sandoval and Isabel Ortiz.
He was an oidor (judge) in the Audiencia of Mexico. Visitador (Inspector) Valderrama once suspended him from this office for abuse of power.
On the death of Viceroy Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza in June 1583, Villanueva y Zapata became acting viceroy of the colony in virtue of his position as dean of the Audiencia. This made him the royal official in charge of Spanish possessions north of Peru, including both present-day Mexico and Central America (except for Panama). This was a difficult period for the government, which had to combat a sense of insecurity in the colony. Villanueva served in this capacity through September 24, 1584, when the new viceroy, Pedro Moya de Contreras
, officially took over the office. Moya de Contreras had been visitador at the time of the death of Suárez de Mendoza, and in this capacity he exercised considerable influence even before becoming viceroy.
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
.
He studied at the University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
. He married Mariana de Sandoval, daughter of Pedro de Sandoval and Isabel Ortiz.
He was an oidor (judge) in the Audiencia of Mexico. Visitador (Inspector) Valderrama once suspended him from this office for abuse of power.
On the death of Viceroy Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza in June 1583, Villanueva y Zapata became acting viceroy of the colony in virtue of his position as dean of the Audiencia. This made him the royal official in charge of Spanish possessions north of Peru, including both present-day Mexico and Central America (except for Panama). This was a difficult period for the government, which had to combat a sense of insecurity in the colony. Villanueva served in this capacity through September 24, 1584, when the new viceroy, Pedro Moya de Contreras
Pedro Moya de Contreras
Pedro Moya de Contreras , prelate and colonial administrator who held the three highest offices in the Spanish colony of New Spain, namely inquisitor general, Archbishop of Mexico, and Viceroy of Mexico, September 25, 1584 - October 17, 1585...
, officially took over the office. Moya de Contreras had been visitador at the time of the death of Suárez de Mendoza, and in this capacity he exercised considerable influence even before becoming viceroy.