Diego de Benavides, 8th Count of Santisteban facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don
Diego de Benavides de la Cueva
Marquess of Solera
Count of Santisteban del Puerto |
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| Viceroy of Peru | |
| In office December 31, 1661 – March 16, 1666 |
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| Monarch | Philip IV |
| Preceded by | Luis Enríquez de Guzmán |
| Succeeded by | Bernardo de Iturriaza |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1607 Santisteban del Puerto |
| Died | c. March 19, 1666 Lima |
| Children | Francisco de Benavides |
Don Diego de Benavides de la Cueva y Bazán (born 1607, died 1666) was an important Spanish leader. He was a soldier, a diplomat, a writer, and a colonial administrator. From 1661 to 1666, he served as the Viceroy of Peru. A viceroy was like a governor who ruled a colony in the name of the king.
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Early Life and Education
Diego de Benavides de la Cueva was born in 1607 in Santisteban del Puerto, a town in Jaén, Spain. He received a good education. He studied with the Jesuits at the Colegio Imperial de Madrid. This school was known for its strong focus on humanistic studies.[1]
Military and Diplomatic Career
Diego de Benavides was a respected knight. He was a member of the Order of Santiago, a famous Spanish military and religious order. He also served as a gentleman in the king's own room.
He fought in wars in different parts of Spain. He was involved in conflicts in Aragon and Portugal. After a war with Portugal in 1643, he became the Captain General of the Borders. This meant he was in charge of protecting Spain's borders. Later, he was made Governor of Galicia, a region in northwest Spain.
In 1653, he became the Viceroy and Captain General of Navarre. This was another important role in Spain. He also helped with important peace talks. He played a key part in the 1659 Peace of the Pyrenees. This treaty helped end a long war between Spain and France. He also helped arrange the marriage of Princess Maria Teresa of Austria to King Louis XIV of France. Because of his excellent work, King Philip IV gave him the title of Marquis de Solera.
As a Writer
Diego de Benavides was also a writer. He wrote Latin poems called Epigramas latinos. He also wrote a book called Horae succisiuae siue Elucubrationes. This book was a collection of poems. His sons, Francisco and Manuel de Benavides, put the collection together. It was first published in 1660, with a second edition in 1664.[2]
Viceroy of Peru
In 1661, Diego de Benavides was chosen to be the Viceroy of Peru. This was a very important job. Peru was a large and rich Spanish colony in South America.
During his time as viceroy, he cared a lot about the native people. He wanted to improve their education and their working conditions. In 1664, he created a special law called the Ordenanza de Obrajes. This law aimed to improve conditions in the workshops where goods were made.
He faced many challenges in Peru. There were earthquakes and widespread diseases. He also had to stop fights between Spanish miners. During his rule, the San Bartolomé hospital was built. He also built the first theater in Lima, the capital city of Peru. He died in Lima in 1666.
See also
In Spanish: Diego IV de Benavides y de la Cueva para niños
