Jerónimo de Ortal facts for kids

Jerónimo de Ortal, also known as Hierónimo Dortal, was a Spanish explorer and leader (called a conquistador). He was born around 1500 in Spain and passed away after 1541 in Santo Domingo. He became the first official governor of a region called Paria.

Exploring the Orinoco River

Jerónimo de Ortal first appears in history as part of an expedition led by Diego de Ordáz. This journey explored the Orinoco River. Ortal was an officer and the treasurer (meaning he managed the money) for Ordáz. He was one of Ordáz's trusted friends. It's thought that Ortal might have also joined Ordáz in the conquest of Mexico, led by Hernán Cortés.

The expedition along the Orinoco River happened between 1531 and 1532. This was the first time Europeans explored the inland areas of what is now Venezuela. The native people called this coastal region Paria. After Diego de Ordáz died, both Alonso de Herrera and Jerónimo de Ortal wanted to become the governor of Paria. Herrera was temporarily made governor by the Audiencia Real (a high court) in Santo Domingo. Ortal, however, traveled to Spain to make his case to the King.

Governor of Paria

It's not completely clear if the Spanish Crown (the King and Queen) had already named the province of Paria. It might have been created because Ortal and Herrera asked for it. The governor of nearby Trinidad island and settlers on Cubagua island also claimed the mainland area. But they didn't have official legal papers for it.

Diego de Ordáz had tried to take control of Paria from Antonio Sedeño, the governor of Trinidad. However, Ordáz didn't have legal rights to this area either. He was officially the governor of the "Province of the Islands in the Rio Marañón," which was actually the mouth of the Amazon River.

In 1533, the Crown officially appointed Jerónimo de Ortal as the governor of Paria. This made him very likely the first official governor. The province stretched from the Gulf of Paria far west to a place called Cabo Codera. The only permanent Spanish settlement in Paria was Fort Paria. This fort was made of wooden fences and was built by Antonio Sedeño in 1530. Ortal returned to Fort Paria in October 1534 with a well-equipped army of explorers. Alonso de Herrera was waiting for him there.

Searching for the Province of Meta

Ortal and Herrera's main goal was to continue Ordáz's expedition, which had not been successful. Native people had told them about one or two "gold kingdoms" in the upper parts of the Orinoco River. These places were called the "Provinces of Meta." Ortal sent Herrera ahead with most of the army. Their task was to set up a base beyond the Orinoco delta, which was a dangerous area. They would wait there for Ortal and more help, which would arrive in the spring of 1535.

Because the native people became more and more unfriendly, Ortal had to leave Fort Paria. He moved to Trinidad Island, which Sedeño had left in the summer of 1534 after attacks from the native people.

In 1535, the few people who survived Herrera's army returned to the coast. They were led by Alvaro de Ordáz, who was Diego de Ordáz's nephew. Ortal then left the Orinoco region. He started a new settlement called Sanct Miguel de Neverí on the north coast. This place is near where Barcelona, Venezuela, is today. From the western edge of his province, Ortal tried to reach the Meta provinces by land with a new army. Even during the preparations, there were fights with Antonio Sedeño's troops. Sedeño was also trying to reach the same goal. About 200 kilometers inland, Ortal's troops refused to follow his orders. They continued the expedition without him in 1536. It seems he did not act as governor after this.

Life on Cubagua Island

After losing his wealth, Ortal settled on Cubagua island. He lived there for many years until shortly before he passed away. He soon became a "royal contador," which meant he was a royal official who kept financial records. He became wealthy again by organizing expeditions to find enslaved people, which was against the law. While he was in Santo Domingo for a trial, he passed away from natural causes.

On Cubagua, Ortal became friends with a writer named Juan de Castellanos. Castellanos lived on the island for a few years starting in 1541. Thanks to him, we have a description of Ortal: "He was quite graceful in how he stood and moved. He had a handsome face and cheerful eyes. Many say he was a bad man, but I came to know him as a good man."

Literature

• Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés: Historia General y Natural de las Indias. Madrid 1959.
• Juan de Castellanos: Elegías de varones ilustres de Indias. Bogotá 1997.
• Fray Pedro Aguado: Recopilación Historial. Bogotá 1957.

See also

In Spanish: Jerónimo de Ortal para niños