Eleno de Céspedes facts for kids

Eleno de Céspedes, also known as Elena de Céspedes (born 1545 – died after 1588), was a skilled Spanish surgeon from the 1500s. Céspedes lived an unusual life for the time and faced many challenges, including a trial by the Spanish Inquisition. Céspedes is known as one of the first surgeons in Spain, and possibly Europe, to be openly recognized for their medical skills.

Early Life and Journeys

Eleno de Céspedes was born around 1545 in Alhama de Granada, Spain. Céspedes was born into slavery but was freed as a child. At about 15 or 16 years old, Céspedes married a stonemason named Cristóbal Lombardo. However, they did not get along, and Lombardo left after a few months.

After this, Céspedes began to travel around Spain. Céspedes worked in many different jobs, including as a tailor, a farmhand, and a shepherd. Céspedes even worked as a soldier, helping to put down the Morisco Revolt.

Céspedes was able to read and write. While traveling, Céspedes bought several books about surgery and medicine. With these books and help from a surgeon Céspedes met, Céspedes taught themself to be a surgeon in Madrid.

Life as a Surgeon and Challenges

Céspedes became a respected surgeon. People came from all over to be treated by Céspedes. In December 1584, Céspedes decided to marry again, this time to a woman named María del Caño. They were married in 1586 and lived together for about a year.

However, their marriage caused problems. Local officials became suspicious and arrested Céspedes. The case was then taken over by the Spanish Inquisition in Toledo. The Inquisition was a powerful court that investigated people for various reasons, including beliefs and actions that were seen as against the rules of the time.

During the trial, the inquisitors questioned Céspedes about many things. They looked at physical signs and noted that Céspedes had no facial hair and had pierced ears. Céspedes explained that they had a unique body and that a surgeon had helped them with a physical condition.

Verdict and Later Life

The Spanish Inquisition found Céspedes guilty of certain charges. The usual punishment for these charges at that time was 200 lashes (a form of whipping) and ten years of being held in a specific place. Céspedes also had to go through a public humiliation. This meant being paraded around Toledo's main square wearing special clothes and a hat.

Because of Céspedes's medical skills, the court ordered Céspedes to spend the ten-year sentence working as a surgeon. Céspedes was to care for poor people in a public hospital, starting at the Hospital del Rey in Toledo.

However, many people came to the hospital to see and be healed by the now famous Céspedes. This caused a lot of attention. So, in February 1589, the hospital asked for Céspedes to be moved to a more distant hospital. They said Céspedes's presence was causing "annoyance and embarrassment." María del Caño was found innocent of any wrongdoing and was released.

See also

• Catalina de Erauso (1585–1650), Spanish nun and conquistador
• Fernanda Fernández (1755–fl.

Images for kids

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  The signature of Eleno de Céspedes on an Inquisition trial document.