Gregorio López (jurist) facts for kids
Gregorio López was an important Spanish lawyer and scholar who lived from 1496 to 1560. He was born in Guadalupe, Cáceres, Spain. He became a top leader in a very important government group called the Consejo de Indias, which managed affairs for Spain's territories in the Americas. López was also known as a humanist, meaning he was interested in human culture, history, and literature, and a jurist, an expert in law.
Contents
His Most Important Work: The Siete Partidas
Gregorio López is best known for his special edition of a very old and important set of laws called the Siete Partidas. This legal code was first put together many centuries earlier, during the time of King Alfonso X the Wise.
What are the Siete Partidas?
The name Siete Partidas means "Seven Parts" because the laws were divided into seven main sections. For hundreds of years, these laws were used in Spain, across Latin America, and even in parts of the United States. López's version, published in 1555, was considered the most accurate and official text of these ancient laws. He added his own notes and explanations to help people understand them better.
Life and Family
Gregorio López had an important role in his hometown. He served as the mayor of Puebla de Guadalupe, which is a town in the province of Cáceres.
Family Connections
He married the niece of Conquistador Francisco Pizarro, a famous Spanish explorer who conquered the Inca Empire in Peru. This connection showed his family's importance.
Later Life and Legacy
Gregorio López passed away in Guadalupe in 1560. He was buried in the city's Monasterio de Santa María (Monastery of Santa Maria). Part of his old palace, built in the beautiful Italian Renaissance style, can still be seen today.
It's good to know that Gregorio López is sometimes confused with his grandson, who was also named Gregorio López de Tovar.
See also
In Spanish: Gregorio López (jurista) para niños
