Gonzalo García Zorro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gonzalo García Zorro
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| Born | c. 1500 |
| Died | 1566 (aged 65–66) |
| Cause of death | Duel with Alonso Venegas Carrillo |
| Nationality | Castilian |
| Occupation | Conquistador |
| Years active | 1536–1544 |
| Employer | Spanish Crown |
| Known for | Spanish conquest of the Muisca |
| Spouse(s) | Luisa (indigenous) Margarita (indigenous from Tunja) Francisca Pimentel Treceno |
| Children | Francisca García Zorro (daughter) Gonzalo and Diego García Zorro (sons) |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Antonio García Zorro (brother) Unnamed (sister) |
| Encomendero of Bogotá | |
| In office 1544–1545 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Ruiz de Orejuela |
| Succeeded by | Juan Ruiz de Orejuela |
| In office 1545–1546 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Ruiz de Orejuela |
| Succeeded by | Juan de Céspedes |
| In office 1548–1548 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Muñoz de Collantes |
| Succeeded by | Juan Ruiz de Orejuela |
| In office 1550–1551 |
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| Preceded by | Juan de Avellaneda |
| Succeeded by | Juan de Avellaneda |
| In office 1553–1554 |
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| Preceded by | Juan de Rivera |
| Succeeded by | Juan Tafur |
| In office 1556–1556 |
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| Preceded by | Antonio Ruiz |
| Succeeded by | Domingo Lozano |
| In office 1564–1564 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Ruiz de Orejuela |
| Succeeded by | Andrés de Molina |
| Notes | |
Gonzalo García Zorro was a Spanish explorer and soldier. He was born around 1500 in Spain. He took part in the Spanish conquest of the Muisca people in what is now Colombia. García Zorro served as the encomendero (a type of mayor or leader) of Santa Fe de Bogotá seven times. He also received control over lands called encomiendas in Fusagasugá and Fosca.
He was married three times. Two of his wives were Muisca women. He had a daughter named Francisca and a son named Diego. Gonzalo García Zorro died in 1566 after being injured in a duel with Alonso Venegas. Alonso Venegas was the grandson of Sagipa, who was the last leader of the Muisca people.
Most of what we know about Gonzalo García Zorro comes from old books. These include Elegías de varones ilustres de Indias (1589) by Juan de Castellanos and El Carnero (1638) by Juan Rodríguez Freyle.
Early Life and Family
Gonzalo García Zorro was born in a town called Guadalcanal, in Spain. This town is located near the border of Extremadura and Seville. His parents were Teresa González de Sancha and Diego Alonso El Zorro. Gonzalo also had a brother named Antonio and a sister whose name is not known.
Joining the Expedition
In April 1536, Gonzalo García Zorro joined a big expedition. This group of Spanish soldiers was led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. They traveled from Santa Marta, a city on the coast, towards the lands of the Muisca Confederation. The Muisca people lived in the highlands of what is now Colombia. García Zorro was a leader of the cavalry, which means he was in charge of soldiers who rode horses.
Role as a Leader
Gonzalo García Zorro held an important position in the new Spanish settlements. He was the encomendero of Santa Fe de Bogotá, which is now the capital city of Colombia. An encomendero was a Spanish settler who was given control over a group of indigenous people and their land. They were supposed to protect them and teach them Christianity, but often they used them for labor.
García Zorro served as encomendero of Santa Fe de Bogotá seven different times:
- From 1544 to 1545.
- From 1545 to 1546.
- In 1548.
- From 1550 to 1551.
- From 1553 to 1554.
- In 1556.
- And finally, in 1564.
He also received encomiendas in two other areas: Fusagasugá and Fosca. The encomienda of Suesca was shared between Gonzalo García Zorro and another Spanish soldier named Juan Tafur.
Later Life and Death
Gonzalo García Zorro passed away in 1566 in Santa Fe de Bogotá. He died from injuries he received during a duel. His opponent in the duel was Alonso Venegas. Alonso Venegas was the son of Hernán Venegas Carrillo and Magdalena de Guatavita. Magdalena was the daughter of Sagipa, the last zipa (leader) of the Muisca people.
