Francisco de Villagra
| Francisco de Villagra | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Royal Governor of Chile | |
|
In office 1547–1549 |
|
| Monarch | Charles V |
| Preceded by | Pedro de Valdivia |
| Succeeded by | Pedro de Valdivia |
|
In office 1553–1557 |
|
| Monarch |
Charles V Philip II |
| Preceded by | Pedro de Valdivia |
| Succeeded by | García Hurtado de Mendoza |
|
In office 1561–1563 |
|
| Monarch | Philip II |
| Preceded by | García Hurtado de Mendoza |
| Succeeded by | Pedro de Villagra |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1511 Santervás de Campos, Valladolid Province, Spain |
| Died | 22 July 1563 Concepción, Chile |
| Children | Pedro de Villagra, el mozo |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Spain
|
| Years of service | 1530s–1563 |
| Battles/wars | |
Francisco de Villagra Velázquez (1511 – 22 July 1563) was a Spanish conquistador, and three times governor of Chile.
Born at Santervás de Campos, he was the son of Alvaro de Sarría and Ana Velázquez de Villagra, who were not married. For this reason he took the name of his mother. Upon arrival in America, he went to Peru, where he planned with Captain Alonso de Mesa an attempt to free Diego de Almagro, then a prisoner of the Pizarro brothers. Discovered in this plot, he was condemned to death, but Hernándo Pizarro spared his life.
He traveled to Chile with Pedro de Valdivia and participated in the conquest of Chile. He was present at the foundation of Santiago in 1541, he occupied various positions in the government of the city, and he was called on to defend it from the assault of Michimalonco cacique in September of the same year.
When Valdivia decided to travel to Peru in search of reinforcements in 1548, he made Villagra Lieutenant Governor of Chile. Soon after assuming his post he discovered a conspiracy directed by Pero Sánchez de la Hoz, that already had tried to seize the government on previous occasions, but that Valdivia had pardoned because of his possible influence in court. Villagra was not so benevolent, and he was executed, without even giving him time to confess himself. This death caused problems for Valdivia, a judgment against him was made for various irregularities, but he overcame them, bringing in addition the designation of governor of Chile from the viceroy. In 1551 Villagra was sent to Peru to recruit the men necessary for further campaigns in the south against the Mapuches and returned to take part in them.
Valdivia died in the Battle of Tucapel, on 25 December 1553. In his testament, that was only to be opened upon his death, he first named Jerónimo de Alderete governor of Chile, second choice was to be Francisco de Aguirre and lastly Villagra. Alderete was in Spain negotiating recognition of Valdivia's position with the king, and Aguirre was involved in the conquest of Tucumán. The cities of the south then proclaimed Villagra as governor. In Santiago where the testament of Valdivia was not opened and Rodrigo de Quiroga proclaimed himself governor. Villagra tried to stop the indigenous rebellion, led by Lautaro, but when facing him in the Battle of Marihueñu on the 26 February he suffered a terrible defeat, having half of his soldiers killed and the remainder unable to prevent the destruction of Concepción. When he arrived in Santiago to recover the situation, he convinced Quiroga to leave his office.
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Wikipedia