Jacob Cansino facts for kids

Jacob Cansino (died September 19, 1666) was an important person who worked for the King of Spain. He called himself a "Vassal of his Catholic Majesty and interpreter of languages in Oran." This means he was a loyal helper to the King and translated languages in the city of Oran. At that time, Oran was a Spanish territory, and Jewish people were allowed to live there.

Jacob Cansino was the fifth person in his family to hold the job of royal interpreter. This was a very important role, helping the king communicate with people from different countries. When his brother Aaron died in 1633, King Philip IV of Spain gave the interpreter job to Yahob Caportas. Caportas came from another powerful Jewish family that was a rival to the Cansinos.

Jacob Cansino then traveled to Madrid, the capital of Spain. He asked the king for the job, reminding him of all the good things his family had done for the government. In 1636, he got the appointment. He was paid 25 scudi each month for his work.

A Man of Books and Words

Jacob Cansino was also known for his writing and translating skills. He translated a Hebrew book by Moses Almosnino into Castilian, which is an old form of Spanish. The book was called Extremas y Grandenzas de Constantinopla. It was published in Madrid in 1638.

The beginning of the book included a special part from the royal secretary, Augustus Maldonatus. This part listed all the important jobs that members of the Cansino family had held over the years. There was also a letter from King Philip IV. In this letter, the king thanked the Cansino family for their many services.

Life in Madrid

Jacob Cansino made several trips to Madrid. By 1623, he had special permission to live as a Jewish person in Madrid. This was unusual at the time. He had the protection of a powerful noble called the Count-Duke of Olivares. This protection even allowed him to visit the royal palace. Cansino dedicated one of his books to Olivares.

However, in 1646, the Count-Duke of Olivares lost the king's favor. Because of his connection to Olivares, Jacob Cansino was put in prison for a while. But he was later set free. In 1656, he even loaned the Spanish Crown a very large sum of money: 800,000 ducats.

Challenges and Accusations

Jacob Cansino faced some challenges during his life. In 1643, a man named Fray Juan Ponce wrote a letter to the Inquisition. The Inquisition was a powerful religious court. Ponce warned them that some Jewish travelers from Oran were coming, and Jacob Cansino was one of them.

Ponce made some serious claims about Cansino. He described him as a "powerful magician" who could mix special herbs and powders. Ponce claimed these mixtures could make people do what Cansino wanted, even with just a small touch. Ponce also said that Cansino was bringing these "potions" and anti-Catholic ideas with him. Because of this warning, the Inquisition ordered that any Jewish travelers without special royal permission should be sent away.

Jacob Cansino also made an enemy of the Marquis de Los Veles. The Marquis was the governor of Oran. He wanted to give Cansino's important job to someone else, specifically the husband of one of his favorite people. However, Jacob Cansino was very secure in his position. He kept his job until he died in 1666. Two years later, in 1668, the Jewish community was forced to leave Oran because of the governor's actions.

See also

• Cansino family

In Spanish: Jacob Cansino para niños