Jerónimo de Vivar facts for kids
Jerónimo de Vivar was a Spanish writer and historian. He wrote an important book about the early days of Chile. His book was called Crónica y relación copiosa y verdadera de los reinos de Chile. This book tells us a lot about the Spanish conquest and settlement of Chile.
Not much is known about Jerónimo de Vivar's early life. He was born in Burgos, Spain. He traveled to the Americas (called "the Indies" back then) before reaching Chile. We don't have records of his journey. People believe he arrived in Chile in 1549. He came with soldiers led by Francisco de Villagra. They traveled overland from Peru. This trip allowed him to see many places. He observed the people and lands in northern Chile. These observations helped him write his book.
Witness to History
Vivar saw some important events himself. He was there for Pedro de Valdivia's trip to settle Concepcion. He also witnessed the Battle of Andalien in 1550. He saw some sea voyages and the journey to settle Valdivia. He also explored the areas around Valdivia.
For other parts of his book, he used reports from people who were there. He also used official documents from the time. Some historians thought he might have been Pedro de Valdivia's secretary, Juan de Cárdenas. They thought he used a different name. But studies showed this was not possible.
His Important Book
It is believed that Jerónimo de Vivar was writing a detailed history. This history was about the Spanish conquest of Chile. It also described the land itself. Pedro de Valdivia had promised to send such a report to the King of Spain in 1552. Vivar finished his book in Santiago in 1558.
After he finished his book, nothing more is known about him. His book remained a handwritten manuscript. It was known to a Chilean historian named Diego de Rosales in the next century. A few other people who collected historical documents also knew about it. Then, the book disappeared for a long time. It was finally found in the middle of the 1900s. The book was first published in 1966.
See also
In Spanish: Jerónimo de Vivar para niños
