Hernando Pizarro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hernando Pizarro
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A steel etched print of Hernando Pizarro y de Vargas
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| Birth name | Hernando Pizarro |
| Nickname(s) | lima |
| Born | c. 1501–1508 Trujillo, Extremadura, Spain |
| Died | c. 1578 Trujillo, Extremadura, Spain |
| Buried |
San Francisco Church, Trujillo
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| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | Spanish conquest of Navarre |
| Awards | Knight of the Order of Santiago |
| Spouse(s) | Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui |
| Children | 5 |
| Relations | Pizarro brothers |
Hernando Pizarro y de Vargas (born between 1501 and 1508, died 1578) was a Spanish conquistador. He was one of the Pizarro brothers who played a big part in the Spanish conquest of Peru.
Hernando was born in Trujillo, Spain. His father was Captain Gonzalo Pizarro y Rodríguez de Aguilar. His mother was Isabel de Vargas.
Contents
The Pizarro Family
Hernando was one of the famous Pizarro brothers. His half-brothers included Francisco, Juan, and Gonzalo Pizarro. They were all involved in the conquest of Peru.
Unlike his half-brothers, Hernando was born to married parents. This meant he received a good education. He also gained influence at the Spanish royal court.
Exploring the New World
In 1530, Hernando traveled to the New World with his half-brother, Francisco Pizarro. He joined Francisco during the Spanish conquests in Peru.
In 1533, Hernando was sent back to Spain. He carried a special payment for the Emperor. This payment was called the "royal fifth." It was a share of the treasures collected from the Inca Empire. These treasures included many beautiful items from the Inca ruler, Atahuallpa.
Hernando arrived in Seville, Spain, in January 1534. He then met with Emperor Charles. Hernando gave the Emperor the royal fifth. He also told him about the Pizarro brothers' adventures. The Emperor confirmed Francisco Pizarro's land grants. He also gave Francisco's partner, Diego de Almagro, more land further south.
Conquering the Inca Empire
Starting in 1532, Francisco Pizarro led the conquest of the Inca Empire. By 1533, they had taken control of what is now Peru for Spain. Hernando Pizarro, as Francisco's brother, played a key role.
In November 1533, Hernando Pizarro wrote a letter. He described the expedition to the royal court in Santo Domingo. He explained how they founded a town called San Miguel. Then, they searched for the Inca town of Cajamarca.
Hernando's letter shows he was an observant person. He described the Inca roads, saying: "The road over the mountains is a thing worth seeing... such beautiful roads could not in truth be found throughout Christendom. The greater part of them is paved. There is a bridge of stone or wood over every stream." His detailed observations were important for understanding the Inca lands.
Ruling in Cuzco
When Hernando returned to Peru, he helped rule the Inca capital of Cuzco. He governed with his half-brothers, Juan and Gonzalo. They were very strict rulers. Hernando helped put down Inca uprisings led by Manco Inca.
Later, Diego de Almagro returned from an expedition to Chile. He had not found much gold. He found Hernando and his brothers in control of Cuzco. Almagro felt he deserved more credit and land. So, he decided to claim Cuzco for himself.
In 1537, Almagro took over the city. He captured Hernando and Juan. Hernando was later set free after talks between Almagro and Francisco Pizarro. In 1538, Hernando and Gonzalo returned with an army. They fought Almagro in the Battle of Las Salinas. The Pizarros won this important battle. They captured Almagro and took back Cuzco.
Later Life and Family
Almagro was executed later that year. The fighting among the Spanish leaders caused problems in Spain. Hernando was sent back to Spain in 1539. He went to speak for the Pizarro family. However, the Spanish court saw their actions as disloyal. Hernando was put in prison for twenty years. He was held from June 1541 until May 1561 in the Castle of La Mota.
After his release, he lived in his palace in Trujillo until he died in 1578.
In 1552, Hernando married his niece, Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui, in Spain. Francisca was the daughter of Francisco Pizarro and an Inca woman named Inés Yupanqui. Even though she was born outside of marriage, the Emperor made her a legal heir. They had five children together. The Pizarro family line continued through Hernando's son, Francisco Pizarro y Pizarro.
See also
In Spanish: Hernando Pizarro para niños
