Alfonso de Valdés facts for kids
Alfonso de Valdés (born around 1490 – died October 1532) was a Spanish writer and thinker. He worked as a secretary for Emperor Charles V, one of the most powerful rulers of his time. Alfonso was also the twin brother of another famous writer, Juan de Valdés.
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Early Life and Career
Alfonso de Valdés was born in Cuenca, Spain, around 1490. He was very talented and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1520, he traveled with Emperor Charles V from Spain to his coronation in Aachen. The next year, in 1521, he went with the Emperor to the Diet of Worms, an important meeting.
From 1522, Alfonso worked as a secretary in the Emperor's main office. He wrote many important government papers. For example, in 1525, he wrote a report about the Battle of Pavia. In 1526, he wrote a strong letter to Pope Clement VII. This letter criticized the Pope and asked for a big church meeting called an Ecumenical Council.
His Writings and the Sack of Rome
In 1527, the city of Rome was attacked and badly damaged in an event known as the Sack of Rome. After this, Valdés wrote a play-like discussion called Lactantius. In this work, he strongly criticized the Pope, saying he caused wars and was not trustworthy. Valdés believed that what happened to Rome was a judgment from God. He also said that the Papal States, which were lands ruled by the Pope, were the worst-governed places in the world.
The Lactantius dialogue was printed in 1529 and became very popular. The Pope's representative in Spain, Baldassare Castiglione, complained to the Inquisition. This was a special court that looked into religious matters. However, the trial didn't go anywhere because Emperor Charles V protected Alfonso. Also, the head of the Inquisition said it was not against religious rules to speak against the actions of the Pope and priests. So, they decided that the dialogue was not harmful.
His Ideas and Influence
Alfonso de Valdés was a big supporter of the ideas of Erasmus of Rotterdam, another famous thinker. Valdés worked hard to spread Erasmus's ideas in Spain. In 1529, he traveled with the Emperor to Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
At the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, Valdés played an important role. He was a negotiator with Philip Melanchthon and the Protestants. He tried to be peaceful and find common ground. However, he didn't fully agree with their religious views. His main focus was always on what was best for the government and the Emperor. In October 1531, he wrote a letter from Brussels congratulating the Catholics in Switzerland after their victory over Zwingli, another religious reformer.
Later Life and Death
Alfonso de Valdés died in Vienna in October 1532.
See also
In Spanish: Alfonso de Valdés para niños
